Posted on 07/21/2024 5:32:36 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
We just bought a new used car for my wife off of craigslist. Now I am selling her old car on craigslist. Within minutes of posting the ad I got a response. The people were "very interested" but wanted a report on the car from some website. I paid $22.95 for the report and sent it to them. Never heard from them again.
Today I got another guy who was "very interested" in the car, but wanted me to get a report from some website for $27.
Fool me once, your fault. Fool me twice, my fault.
I put some property up for sale on Craigslist...14 acres, only time I ever used Craigslist. Got the immediate scam responses with one asking me if I would pay for shipping.
The scams are beyond obvious. I get texts telling me my Netflix, Amazon, Sirius accounts have expired daily from the same email address idiot. I’ll get several a day that are on my blocklist or email scams list.
I sold some boat equipment on Craigslist. I immediately got a response requesting I hold the items. They offer to mail a cashier’s check which seemed fine to me. Shortly thereafter, I receive it. It looked legitimate but I was skeptical. Took it to the bank and it was phony. I was wondering what their angle was. Just seemed like a lot of work for a small amount. I still had my stuff. They did have my address, but anybody can access that. Just wondering??
The most common craigslist car scam is where you get a buyer at full asking price, they send you a check for that amount plus $900 or so shipping fee and you disburse to the shipper who never shows up and the check you got bounces.
Thanks for the heads up!
I can see a potential buyer asking if you have a CARFAX report, a more or less standard commercial product. Sending emails hoping drive sales of what are probably just altered copies of another car’s CARFAX report is obviously a scam.
If you have 15, say, potential buyers, it does not make sense for all of them to invest in a CARFAX report the seller could have obtained, but I would be wary of someone asking for any other specific product.
Thank you for sharing your experience—you educated a lot of people with it.
Last time I sold a truck, I had to go to the next county to meet. Guy was in a ankle bracket because the court order.
Once I had his money he threatened me. Had to tell him I would kill him if he wanted to F around.
Now my old cars are driven till they die and used for yard art.🚙🚗🚐
Not if you take it out.
Yeah. Duh. I didn’t see it as a scam because it was so cheap.
I’d never do that anyway. I’d just tell them to get their own carfax report.
You are so much smarter than I am. I am honored that you took the time to come and tell me so.
Sucker. Report cost is on the buyer, not the seller.
You are obviously much smarter than I. I am honored that you took time from your busy schedule to tell me so.
The last time I bought a new car my old car was so rusted out that it was a miracle the engine did not fall out of the bottom of the car while I drove it to the dealership.
They gave me zero—more than it was worth!
AW shucks. I blush. 😛
I’m not smarter. I’m just more experienced in that sort of thing, and I learned it the hard way. Heck, I’m 70. I learned a LOT of things the hard way. I’m sorry if I sounded smug. I realize now that it came off that way.
FWIW, I NEVER purchase anything *of real value* from a source other than a respected web site or Amazon unless I pick it up at a face to face meeting. It always cracks me up a little when guys on hi-fi forums (where I sometimes hang out) complain about crooks never sending their stuff or claim they never got their stuff).
I’m probably missing out on good stuff, but I learned from my friend that used to sell high priced antique Leica photo equipment that “people are just no damned good”.
And truth be told, I probably would have thought about it regarding the auto report. I may have even gone to the site. But it’s not Carfax so I’d probably email the guy back and say I wouldn’t trust the site but he can go to carfax.
I almost tried to rent a house from a scammer that was offering a house for sale as a rental. He wasn’t the owner and it was a complete scam. But I knew it when I visited the house.
As I said, I am honored you took the time from your busy schedule to tell me how stupid I am.
Get a carfax report and keep it. If someone wants it send it.
The ONE time I listed on craigslist the exact same thing happened. I just threw the check away and updated the listing to say no scams, CASH only.
You are welcome. 😎
😉
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