Sounds like a scam. What do you think? Think that money would end up being taken back out of my bank account? I cut and pasted directly from his email. No way this is going to happen.

I listed a set of rallye wheels on craigs list and got the following response. I had received a couple of emails prior to this.

Thanks for your prompt response, actually I am sorry that I could not longer come to pick it in person as planned, I actually just had a change in my work schedule but I believe am ok with the condition as seen on the advert as well as the price stated. I am ready to make instant purchase with my mode of payment would being a Certified Bank Check via Postal service Express mail or UPS overnight delivery. I'll arrange for a local pick up as soon as you receive check, cashed it and have your money in hand, I promise you everything will go smoothly as I would like to have it before the my wedding anniversary which comes in 2 weeks.

Kindly get back to me with your Full Name,Full mailing Address,Cell Phone Number and Agreed price to sell. As soon as this is provided, payment will be overnight to you and I will let you know once mailed out with tracking number sent to you. I will also add an additional $30 for in order you to hold it for me till the Check gets you.

Thanks and I hope we handle this in good faith while waiting to hear from you.


Best Regards

 

Hard to say definitely sounds too good. Sad we have to be so wary when dealing on line. Awhile back I was selling a boat on line and had a guy willing to pay full pop sight unseen through paypal I was nervous so checked into paypal forums and found out he pays money sits in account until he receives item and then he releases the loot. Problem is he sends 3rd party trucker to pick up item and then he says he never received item so his money goes back to him. I agreed his terms but told him I had family on police force who would be present to oversee transaction never heard from him again. Phil

 

My bet is total SCAM. I have seen the same response for things I have had listed on Craigslist. Tell him to send the check,take it to your bank and have them check it for fraud. Don't give him anymore info the you have to. I have a $6000.00 check from one of these guys that is no good. Thankfully I had my bank check it before I deposited it in my acct.
Its fun to play there game though.

 

The wording of the response sounds off.

 

Not really any risk in cashing a certified check, but the local pick up thing is what is sketchy. Phil's scenario above is a common ploy they use. Scammers will start to pull a timeline switch after "sending it" or you have a counterfeit check being processed and find out after you let the item go. My $0.02, but if your not comfortable or have a bad felling then just steer clear.


Other red flags: The English in the reply is a bit off. Aside from grammar, using Advert for advertisement is something I have seen overseas, more of a European term. Volunteering more $ than what was asked ($30) and creating a false sense of urgency (wedding anniversary).

 

I just told him to send cash with the pickup person and I will hold the wheels until we could meet at a mutually convenient location. Can't get any easier than that ...............

 

You are correct about a certified check. The only problem is that the checks are not certified even if they say they are. Ask me how I know.

 

Cash works.

 

Trust your instincts

 

Why doesn't the guy just call you. Then you can evaluate how legitimate the offer is. Scammers always have an excuse as to why they can't call, ie: work on a military base, out of country now etc. I once had a guitar amp for sale on Craigslist and got a bunch of texts and told the guy to call me. He responded by saying he was deaf, to which I responded "if you can't hear why do you need a guitar amp." That was the last I heard from him. Never give out your personal info as this guy has requested. As Easy Mike said "cash works."

 

Run Forrest, Run!

Definitely a scam. I get one of those just about every time I list something on Craigslist. There are some variations in the wording, but the theme of the offer is almost always the same. Walk away and save yourself from losing your hard earned cash.

 

This is a VERY typical Craiglist scam. Run away, fast.

 

That is a scam. No doubt about it. Tell him to buy on your terms not his and check his reaction. I had someone use this exact method/wording when I sold my 85 Chevy. He was gonna pay and have someone pick it up without even seeing the truck. Don't do it.

 

Easy, thats a scam. I had something for sale for $300. Buyer said it was so nice he would pay $350, send all info to him, including paypal information and he would put money in my account.

I have seen very similar wording several times from scammers and I just ignore them. The translations from their native tongue to english is the dead giveaway. They refer to "the item" and use other terms that are not every day english language.

We have members on this forum who translate to english and we all recognize them as genuine car guys even if the translation is not our usual way of speaking. This guy is definitely not genuine. Leave him alone.

 

You've done the right thing by telling him to bring cash to pick up your wheels. Meeting at a public location is also a good idea (in my town you can meet at the police station). If he agrees to meet bring a friend along - the bigger the better.

 

SCAM!!!

This is a typical SCAM letter. Something always comes up where they can't show up in person. Always the Certified Bank Check and NEVER is the actual item being purchased mentioned in their reply.

Think about it - wouldn't you reply with something like, "Man, these wheels would look great on my ......."!

The item is always referred to as IT!!

Like stated above - insist on CASH and your specified location and have a big friend with you!

 

I also get this every time i list something on CL. My reply is usually a few 4 letter words. If you even get their check and try to deposit it the bank will prosecute you for committing a Federal crime. The check will be fake or stolen and now you are in trouble.

 

Thanks for all the responses ....... I haven't heard a word from him since I asked him to send cash with the guy picking them up. Actually a red flag went up when I read the email because of posts about scams I have read on this forum.

 

Scaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam !

 

This is a common scam - especially on Craig's List. You deposit the "check" they send. You mail the part. By the time they bank realizes the check is no good, your parts are gone.

As you said, you never heard back after you said cash etc. There's a reason for that - they never intended to pay.