Craigslist Scam?
- Thread starter sk8norcal
- Start date
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
I doubt that it has changed the number of Flakes on Craigslist, which I always figured was around 50%, both buyers and sellers. Probably just another flake.
ctwo
Merely Rhetorical
I thought emails were anonymized?
I have a very hard time getting with sellers. It seems all the buyers are flushed with cash and have all the time in the world to show up like right now, and the items are sold off before you've even started.
If you make them do more work than figuring out how to stuff their wallet with cash they've already moved on. He probably already had a meeting set up when he emailed you back.
If they leave a contact number, call it. If they leave an email, send it. And tell them you're desperate to come right now and marinade them in cash.
I have a very hard time getting with sellers. It seems all the buyers are flushed with cash and have all the time in the world to show up like right now, and the items are sold off before you've even started.
If you make them do more work than figuring out how to stuff their wallet with cash they've already moved on. He probably already had a meeting set up when he emailed you back.
If they leave a contact number, call it. If they leave an email, send it. And tell them you're desperate to come right now and marinade them in cash.
thedub
Octane Socks
You think he's a scammer just because he didn't reply to your email? Maybe he already sold it. Maybe he's busy. Maybe he got hit by a bus.
ViperThreat
Well-known member
It cut down on a lot of them, but they are still out there. Quite often they are posting whole bikes under the parts category, although I have seen them posting in the paid category as well.
HadesOmega
Well-known member
I'm like that I prefer communication by email. Hate it whem someone asks for number. i only give them my number if they are meeting up and need to get in contact with me.
musiclucho
Well-known member
The thing with giving numbers is that there is a ton of flakes that will get that information. I personally like it that way so I can block them for future sales but from what I've seen and learned, I think there are folks who live in a conspiracy drama where everyone wants to steal their junk and they pretend to protect accesing their personal information at all costs. Ironically, they don't know you can even google them and get a ton of personal information in the internet.
Blankpage
alien
Haha yeah seriously plus flaking is simply part of the DNA of every Californian.
MikeL
Well-known member
I recently posted a motorcycle on CL. The amount of "Can you pull a vin report! I'm super interested" emails/texts was annoying. On top of that, they put effort in. They talk to you about the bike then ask for the "Pay to pull vin report" scam crap.
No directed at OP, but just venting:
If the motorcycle is less the $10k, I'm not taking your credit card points+ coupons + a check + an old poster. Cash or kick rocks.
Also, please do your research on the motorcycle you're about to drop money on. Don't ask me basic questions that a google search about the bike can solve.
Also, I'm not your mechanic after you buy my motorcycle. I represent it as best I can and take good care of my motorcycles. Once we do the deal - please don't reach out to me for months.
Also, PLEASE STOP ASKING WHATS THE LOWEST I'LL GO. What a dumb fuckin question. Haggle or gtfo. If I tell you the lowest I'll go you will try to beat me up more over it once you arrive.
I could go on.. but... END RANT.
No directed at OP, but just venting:
If the motorcycle is less the $10k, I'm not taking your credit card points+ coupons + a check + an old poster. Cash or kick rocks.
Also, please do your research on the motorcycle you're about to drop money on. Don't ask me basic questions that a google search about the bike can solve.
Also, I'm not your mechanic after you buy my motorcycle. I represent it as best I can and take good care of my motorcycles. Once we do the deal - please don't reach out to me for months.
Also, PLEASE STOP ASKING WHATS THE LOWEST I'LL GO. What a dumb fuckin question. Haggle or gtfo. If I tell you the lowest I'll go you will try to beat me up more over it once you arrive.
I could go on.. but... END RANT.
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musiclucho
Well-known member
You think so? In my little experience here, I haven't see so many flakes as down south in my home country. That is like a box of frosted flakes :laughing
ViperThreat
Well-known member
I got really sick of that, so i built my own system:
1. All of my Craigslist posts have the following text:
2. In Gmail, I setup a rule that any incoming emails from Craigslist that do not include "potato" in the subject-line are automatically deleted.
It's been about 2 years now, I haven't dealt with a single scammer.
Yes yes, there are a couple flaws:
1. All other emails form CL end up getting deleted unless i disable the rule.
2. I might have deleted serious potential buyers. But I'm rarely desperate to sell, and frankly I don't want to deal with anybody who can't be bothered to read 2 paragraphs of text. Serious buyers tend to obsess over my posts, not ignore them.
SantaCruzRider
Member
I've bought and sold cars, bikes, motorcycles, jet skis, sailboats and untold less interesting items on CL -- and never been much bothered by the scammers.
When selling, you can count on the non-sense responses (requests for VN reports and shipping). I've found putting a requirement for a cell phone number cuts that to zero.
When buying, you have to accept that a fair portion of sellers are in some type of crisis -- moving, getting divorced, life change that they didn't foresee. The bike sale may be 10% of their problem and their response is like their current life state -- kind of a cluster. I also suspect that a percentage of for sale posts are half-hearted, poorly conceived, or under the influence. Yeah, but what about the $5 fee -- seriously, when you're guided by something less than your better self, has $5 been a barrier? :laughing
It's frustrating, but try not to take it personal. And don't get desperate. People are bored right now and buying up projects they have no ability to complete. 2021 is going to be the year of cheap old motorcycles, new kayaks, and never-used portable generators.
When selling, you can count on the non-sense responses (requests for VN reports and shipping). I've found putting a requirement for a cell phone number cuts that to zero.
When buying, you have to accept that a fair portion of sellers are in some type of crisis -- moving, getting divorced, life change that they didn't foresee. The bike sale may be 10% of their problem and their response is like their current life state -- kind of a cluster. I also suspect that a percentage of for sale posts are half-hearted, poorly conceived, or under the influence. Yeah, but what about the $5 fee -- seriously, when you're guided by something less than your better self, has $5 been a barrier? :laughing
It's frustrating, but try not to take it personal. And don't get desperate. People are bored right now and buying up projects they have no ability to complete. 2021 is going to be the year of cheap old motorcycles, new kayaks, and never-used portable generators.
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Less of a scam and more of a solicitation, trying to convince you to buy a vin report on the vehicle you are selling and how it will make it easier to sell.
I’ll second that on the “what’s your lowest price?”. WTF. I have a bike for sale on craigslist, its clean, garage kept, serviced, not salvaged, ready to ride and priced below blue book, and I am open to offers. I had one guy come and look at it, who didn’t know how to ride. There were a bunch of ridiculous emails. Can you sell it to me cheap ‘cause I’m just a teenager?
I like to exchange an email or two, through CL, and then talk on phone if someone wants to look at it.
I miss the classified section.
Okay, thats my rant
ViperThreat
Well-known member
Nah, it's still a scam. Those fake vin sites are just there to get your credit card info.