Craigs List Help - Advice

If the mods think this is OT please deleat it -------Trying to off load some heavy non automotive stuff to fund the Roadster project on Craigs List. First time I've used it, and I have three odd replies from people that want to buy the item, but will be "out of town" will have an "agent" arrange pickup, will add extra funds to cover the delay. They all sound like a SCAM and most likely will mess up my PayPal if I'm dumb enough to accept. Cash in my driveway was what I thought Craigs List was all about. Your help and advice is more than welcome.

 

anytime they say "agent" I run for the hills...

if it seems fishy at all.. stay away....

 

SCAMS, Dont hold for anyone. Email back and tell them cash only, local pickup, and you want hear from them again.

 

They all sound bad don't do it, yes in person with $$$$ is how it should be done.

 

Don't even bother emailing them back.

Also don't respond to the emails that ask "do you still have it" without mentioning what "it" is.

 

Most of you guys know I misspell stuff once in a while, but two of these replies sounded like English wasn't a first language. Looking forward to a pickup, cash and a new owner. Bob

 

exactly, it should read like a normal person was emailing you....would you send an agent? (btw who uses the term "agent", I've had friends pick up parts for me or even my girlfriend). Also I always put in the ad "local pick up only" and "no shipping", never take anything other then cash, with all the flakes/dummies out there you might have to sit on the part longer but you won't lose money to a scam.

 

Thanks! I never gave that a thought, that could mess up a PayPal account.

 

I do alot of stuff on Craiglist. although it's not so good for HAMB friendly items, I always include a phone number, usually a cell or work number, and give directions to work, or a gas station by my house to further screen the callers. most of the time the computer stuff is********* time wasters, and sort of a****bersome way to do it...Good luck.

 

Bob... Don't even reply to those...even if it asks you "do you still have the item for sale"...you don't know what kind of virus you could get in your puter from that email...most of that stuff is from Nigera...

 

I always put my phone number in and first name, and state calls only, i don't respond to emails. This helps to weed out most of the undesireables.

 

that's what I do too.

Then delete the ad after a few days, or as soon as the item sells.

 

Right under the two boxes where you put your email address is an option to 'block' your email....use a phone number in the add.

.

 

Ya sounds fishy to me! I stopped using craigslist a while ago. If you want to find out how many @ssholes live near you just post something on the site for sale. I feel safer useing FEE-Bay. If you have to use craigs' dont use your land line use a cell#. I got a lot of suspicious emails when I posted adds on there. I wouldnt even give an adress to anyone to come and look at whatever Id meet them at the local gas station.

 

That explains why my computer acted odd last night. Thanks for all the advice guys, CL is totally new to me, that auction site has been good for items I can box. Bob

 

I get those emails also "do you still have the ITEM". Not do you still have the "car" or even do you still have the "part"

I delete those quicker than spam.

You gotta watch what you do, I've been frauded. I got this email years back from Ebay saying that I needed to update my Paypal information. So I did, as it looked very official. A week later I get a letter from my bank stating that I was $18,000 overdrawn! Naturally I contacted the bank and tell them that THEY must be mistaken, and they then told me that I transfered money to the UK. As it turned out the email I got was from a scammer that actually changed the name from Paypal to paypaI. Luckily, I had fraud insurance through my bank.

 

I sell a lot on CL. I never post my phone # in the ad, I do not answer replies to my ad that do not have their Phone # in them, Whenever possible I do not bring buyers to my house. There are all kinds of critters to deal with on CL, the last thing I need is having them around the house. 95% of the people I sell to on CL are good folks, It's that 5% that can cause you grief.

 

This is a POPULAR SCAM. I've seen it, or heard it in several forms. But it's always the same. They want to send some extra cash, and have you pay their trucker with it. As much as 2 months go by before your bank learns it's a phony check. You;re now out your money (and then some) AND your item. They never mention the item by name, and their English is just a bit off. Spam block 'em.

 

if the reply is from a "gmail" account email its almost always a scammer. For the most part you can tell if its a scammer because they use improper english, ask if the "item" is still for sale, they will say they are out of the country, on vacation, etc. Some of them are getting really sneaky about making theyre emails sound legit. My best advice is that if you are unsure of if its real or not: reply to the email with "here's my number, give me a call and we can talk about it further."

A lot of people like to text in reply to your ad. Usually you can figure out whos real and whos not.

Other advice: never meet the people at your home. Bring the item to a well populated area (mcdonald's parking lot or store parking lot) and bring a friend or a parent with you. Never go alone.

Always deal in cash with craigslist idiots. You ever know if a check or money order, etc could be a dead end.

In the end; make sure you put in your ad: phone calls and emails with an included phone number will only be responded to. Please call or email with Phone #

 

Put your phone number in the ad. Do not respond to any emails.

If they won't call, they are not a "buyer".

 

not always about the cash, once you respond they sell your email address and you get hit with all kinds of stupid e-mail offers constantly that add tracking cookies and viruses to your computer

 

How do I end a CL ad?

 

just weed them out have them put something else in the subject line in your add, and dont reply if it dont look legit.....ive sold plenty of stuff on cl and bought plenty of stuff to boot

 

After posting an ad you get an email back that you respond to that makes it go 'live'...did you keep that email? If so, open that same link and find the delete*****on. If not, it will expire in 45 days.

.

 

Scamville....cash and carry only....

 

the same way you confirmed it before the ad was listed, you got an email with a link, just go back to that link and delete

 

Used Craigslist for buying & selling.

If you use a phone number in the add, do it like this : 5five5one2one2

Also if possible, meet someone close to your house, not at your house.... too many douche bags " fishin" out there & wouldn't want them to be seeing the stuff @ my house. Besides the wife is home alone during the day and she's still practicing her aiming ....

You could weed out potential scams & auto replies by asking perspective buyers to put some word in the subject line on the reply email....

Craigslist is one of the best ( & worst ) thing out there IMHO

 

All gone! Thank you all very much!

 

scam for sure

 

I only use CL when I have something to big or heavy to sell on Ebay. In my ad I put in huge letters "PHONE CALLS ONLY, NO EMAILS OR TEXTS. I DELETE THOSE BECAUSE OF VIRUS FEARS." Yet, I still get emails and texts ! I am tempted sometimes to actually look at the emails (I don't text at all and don't even know how to do it) because I want to sell the item, but I just delete them anyways.

Craigslist brings out a lot of very strange people sometimes.

Don