This smells like a scam
03-19-2009, 09:25 PM
#22
Yea, had the same scam attempted on me when I was selling my Z28, wanted to bring the payment from 100 miles away and pickup the car on the spot. BS all the way. I did sell to someone who transferred the money by wire into my account, and lives 15 miles away.
This is a no brainer. If they give you GREEN cash, or wire the funds, it is real. A check, MO, certified check, all can bounce. Only a bank check deposited in the same bank name will clear instantly. The scammer will never let it get this far.
You smelled this a mile away. Sad world we live in.
This is a no brainer. If they give you GREEN cash, or wire the funds, it is real. A check, MO, certified check, all can bounce. Only a bank check deposited in the same bank name will clear instantly. The scammer will never let it get this far.
You smelled this a mile away. Sad world we live in.
03-19-2009, 09:33 PM
#23
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I don't have to read any more. I agree; give it up. There will be others. Wait for them. I'd be willing to bet the time you spend on this from now on will be a waste.
Don't bother.
Next will come either a request for your bank account number, your credit card number, your social security number or "I've got this IBM check for $5000 more than your price. Just send me the difference and I'll come pick up the car in three weeks."
Are you getting the picture?
Don't bother.
Next will come either a request for your bank account number, your credit card number, your social security number or "I've got this IBM check for $5000 more than your price. Just send me the difference and I'll come pick up the car in three weeks."
Are you getting the picture?
03-19-2009, 09:42 PM
#25
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If it smells like a scam it probably is. Asking "how was your day." Get serious. Tell him it was sold and ignore any further contact. I'd tell any prospective buyer the transaction goes through a qualified escrow of your choice with the parties to split escrow costs equally.
I would not be able to hit the DELETE button fast enough! 
and it smells like 
03-19-2009, 09:59 PM
#30
Le Mans Master
Of course it is a scam but have some fun with it at their expense. Have them overnight the check to you then tell them it has to clear first.
When they contact you again tell them your bank said the check must clear for 30 business days. Post the check on your garage wall and throw darts at it because you will never hear from them again.
As long as we can make these evil people pay some money out of there pocket (overnight fee's) I feel good about myself!
When they contact you again tell them your bank said the check must clear for 30 business days. Post the check on your garage wall and throw darts at it because you will never hear from them again.
As long as we can make these evil people pay some money out of there pocket (overnight fee's) I feel good about myself!
03-19-2009, 10:01 PM
#31
Pro
Of course it is a scam but have some fun with it at their expense. Have them overnight the check to you then tell them it has to clear first.
When they contact you again tell them your bank said the check must clear for 30 business days. Post the check on your garage wall and throw darts at it because you will never hear from them again.
As long as we can make these evil people pay some money out of there pocket (overnight fee's) I feel good about myself!
When they contact you again tell them your bank said the check must clear for 30 business days. Post the check on your garage wall and throw darts at it because you will never hear from them again.
As long as we can make these evil people pay some money out of there pocket (overnight fee's) I feel good about myself!
03-19-2009, 10:15 PM
#32
Burning Brakes
I concur with everyone else. I recently listed an item on craigslist. I got 5 identical emails from different senders who all used the exact same language, form letter, and bad grammar as you got. I politely replied,cash in my hand when YOU pick it up. Have'nt heard from them since. Whooda guessed?
03-19-2009, 10:28 PM
#34
Of course it is a scam but have some fun with it at their expense. Have them overnight the check to you then tell them it has to clear first.
When they contact you again tell them your bank said the check must clear for 30 business days. Post the check on your garage wall and throw darts at it because you will never hear from them again.
As long as we can make these evil people pay some money out of there pocket (overnight fee's) I feel good about myself!
When they contact you again tell them your bank said the check must clear for 30 business days. Post the check on your garage wall and throw darts at it because you will never hear from them again.
As long as we can make these evil people pay some money out of there pocket (overnight fee's) I feel good about myself!
Play with fire, get fingers burnt.
It's scam, ignore them.
a++ Cedric
03-19-2009, 10:32 PM
#35
Pro
Thread Starter
Well, for now, I've replied asking him for more information (not giving any of my info yet) and told him that only wire transfers or money deposited to escrow would be acceptable. Also, that I would not accept funds to pay for transport - he would have to pay for and arrange transport directly. HEre's my reply:
We'll see if I hear anything back.
-Ray
Hi Stephen (or is it James?)
Before I can consider the car sold to you, I’ll need some more information.
It appears you are not purchasing the car for yourself? You mention you have a client that will be purchasing the car?
Who is the client and where are they located?
If the car requires transport, I would ask you not to send me the shipping fees. All shipping would have to be arranged for and paid for directly by the buyer. I would arrange to meet the transport company when they come to pick up the car, but that is all.
Also, how would you (or your client?) be making payment? If not by certified or cashier’s check from a local bank which I can verify, I would have to insist on a direct wire transfer or use of an escrow company. There have been a number of warnings lately about counterfeit cashier’s checks.
Before I can consider the car sold to you, I’ll need some more information.
It appears you are not purchasing the car for yourself? You mention you have a client that will be purchasing the car?
Who is the client and where are they located?
If the car requires transport, I would ask you not to send me the shipping fees. All shipping would have to be arranged for and paid for directly by the buyer. I would arrange to meet the transport company when they come to pick up the car, but that is all.
Also, how would you (or your client?) be making payment? If not by certified or cashier’s check from a local bank which I can verify, I would have to insist on a direct wire transfer or use of an escrow company. There have been a number of warnings lately about counterfeit cashier’s checks.
-Ray
03-19-2009, 11:32 PM
#37
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
With all due respect, Ray, what is the most valuable thing you own or have? It's not the car. It's your time. And that, you never get back.
03-19-2009, 11:38 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
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I'm not sure about what security concerns might be attendant to the information the "buyer" requested but would not have a problem receiving funds sent via a cashier's check if it was clearly understood that no transfers of either title or car would take place until the check was properly cleared.
I knew a person that one time did indeed take a cashier's check on a non existent bank.
I knew a person that one time did indeed take a cashier's check on a non existent bank.
03-19-2009, 11:47 PM
#39
Pro
Thread Starter
You'd think the banks would have developed some way to verify and confirm cashier's checks by now, but again, this is the US banking industry we're talking about.
-Ray
