I sold a lawn tractor on Craigslist. Charged a price that I knew was quite reasonable for its age and condition. Posted seven photos and described the age and condition carefully. The buyer came to our house with a wad of well-worn cash and a trailer, looked the tractor over carefully, started it up, and ran it back and forth before sailing up the ramps into his trailer. That's what you want and expect.
Also fielded the usual dumb questions from non-serious buyers:
1. The ever-popular "Why are you selling it?" (Because we don't need it any more, you dumb cluck!)
2. "Is there anything wrong with it?" (I've described the condition in the ad, you clumb duck!)
3. "Will you give a little on price?" (Wait, you haven't even seen it, and already you're dickering? Have you
checked what others are charging for the same model, not as nice?
You dopey chicken!)
Anyway, prior to listing, I had read about the common scams, and sure enough, there was an
instant response to the email I had set up for this sale. "Looks great, price is acceptable. I'll send you a certified check and when you get your cash, let me know and I'll pick it up."
Even if I didn't already know that you should never accept any kind of check on Craigslist, the fact that he/she/it didn't even want to
see the machine first was a scam giveaway.
If we'd fallen for it, we would have cashed the check, given up the tractor, and two weeks later (when the fake "certified" check bounced) have to pay our credit union the full amount, plus a penalty.
S
So against my better judgement I put it in there for $500. In no time at all I get “I’ll send you a check... when it clears my movers will come for it... “. It didn’t smell right t me. I said sorry cash only.
Well I get several messages essentially the same deal. I reply cash only.
The Scam.
When I studdied the text you see it is written by English a second language person. I understand the checks take a long time to come back fraudulent. By then the furniture is gone and you get zero and probably a bounced check charge.
Then i go into the advertisement and I see its no loner my furniture but it is a white Honda with high miles. Someone has highjacked my advertisement.
Conclusion the scammers are out there...
And will someone.... anyone please take that darn furniture free!