Scam-o-rama

[Discseven]

Sharing this for the intel & benefit of my fellow Pelicans...

Listed my Porsche for sale here in the forum and in various classifieds last weekend. Was approached very shortly after by text. BTW, all discussion proceeded via texting. First and only question on the car was, "What is the lowest price you're willing to take?" I responded and in return the answer is,"That's OK. I want the car."

So, sold the car within 24 hours of listing it. Am I more than pleased with myself? Yup. Scenario sound to good to be true? Yup.

I ask for payment by wire transfer or cash. Prospect responds," Sorry, but I can only do PayPal. My bank screwed me recently so I moved all my money into PayPal."

To start with, I'm not a big fan of PayPal so at this stage, sour grapes are on the plate I'm looking at. No offense to any PayPal users... It's just not for me. Gonna give the prospect the benefit of the doubt? Why not. I test the waters in a number of ways. Absolutely nothing signals legitimacy. There's a consistent pressing for my PayPal information. A relentless urgency. A total absence of Porsche camaraderie.

To confirm suspicions, I initiate ridiculous mode. A genuine buyer would have thought me crazy and quickly departed. Not the scammer. He/she hung in there repeating, "Give me your PayPal information right now. That way I can pay you for the car right away."

Unfortunately this must work. BUT, who would buy a Porsche without asking more than at least a few intelligent questions? NO ONE.

To my genuine fellow Porsche brothers & sisters

[Gogar]

Even if "What's the lowest price you'll take" is legit, I tend to ignore it. Most times on Craigslist I'll raise the price if someone asks me that.

[Christien]

What paypal information was he asking for? The only thing you need to send someone a payment is their email address.

But yeah, the "lowest price" question is a scammer, right off the bat. I've never had anyone legit just come right out and say that.

[Brando]

Them : "What's the lowest price you will take?"
Me : "What's the price on my ad?"

I have a loveship/hateship with craigslist. So many people want to be that guy from pawnstars or that douchey car restoration show. It's like they don't know how to negotiate. And from a CL purchase, I wouldn't throw a number of there for a car purchase until I saw it in person.

[Arizona_928]

Call the number. Google voice is a dead give away.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Even if "What's the lowest price you'll take" is legit, I tend to ignore it. Most times on Craigslist I'll raise the price if someone asks me that.

Way to go Gogar!

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Christien

What paypal information was he asking for? The only thing you need to send someone a payment is their email address.

But yeah, the "lowest price" question is a scammer, right off the bat. I've never had anyone legit just come right out and say that.

PayPal email is exactly what he asked for Christien. I suspect there was more con to come that would allow a hack of some type to take place.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Brando

Them : "What's the lowest price you will take?"
Me : "What's the price on my ad?"

HA! Right on Brando~~~

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Call the number. Google voice is a dead give away.

Haven't called him AZ. Will do.