Is This A CL Scam?

PolkaHero · #1 09-06-2011, 10:19 AM

Got this response today from someone about my Ampeg SVT 810e cabinet on CL:

I'm okay with the price and i understand the present condition as
started in the advert, i'm very busy with work and i'll have a bank
check issued out to you for the payment, i'm in no rush with you till
funds are cleared in your bank before we proceed with the pickup and
i'll handle the pickup when check has been cleared, i also informed my
attorney about this transaction, so kindly provide me your name,
address, city, state, zipcode and phone number to issued the check to
you.

He then left me his full name and address which is in Texas. Should I proceed with the sale or write this one off as a scam? Never got a response like this before. Thanks!

Jim Nazium · #2 09-06-2011, 10:21 AM

Yes, this is a scam. The "bank check" (they usually say it will be a cashier's check) will be worthless, but it may take your bank a few days to figure that out even after it has "cleared". Then they debit your account, charge you a penalty fee, and you are out your amp.

BassScum · #3 09-06-2011, 10:21 AM

Scam!

gnjpowell · #4 09-06-2011, 10:21 AM

SCAM! Run away FAST!!!!!

Bardley · #5 09-06-2011, 10:23 AM

Yes. If they do not mention the items name or refer to it as "the item" and such, I tell them to piss off and take their scam somewhere else. Then you never hear back from them.

PolkaHero · #6 09-06-2011, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the responses guys, that's what I figured when the guy starting mentioning his attorney. I hate selling on Ebay/CL!

tdub0199 · #7 09-06-2011, 10:36 AM

Def. a Scam!!!

**peledog** · #8 09-06-2011, 10:37 AM

Scam Scam Scam

**baba** · #9 09-06-2011, 10:38 AM

shackled · #10 09-06-2011, 10:41 AM

CL is full of scammers... I learned the hard way.
I only take phone calls or texts and keep it local only!

Rockmusician · #11 09-06-2011, 10:42 AM

Not necessarily a scam. I have made many purchases using bank checks. I have several reasons for this. First, PayPal will not increase my spending limit because they have not verified my account. They want me to provide my bank account number, which I refuse to do. I have been the victim of identity theft 4 times in the last few years and will never give out my bank account information. PayPal informed me that they would verify my account if I apply for a PayPal credit card. I do not need another card so I refused. Doesn't the fact that I have had made purchases using PayPal which have not been disputed verify that I am legitimate? The only way I can buy anything online is if I send a bank check or money order. The other reason I prefer to do business this way is that my cousin is a postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service. He informed me that if I send a check via US Mail and the seller cashes it but doesn't ship the item or if the item isn't as it was represented in the ad, the seller has comitted mail fraud which is a federal offense.

**baba** · #12 09-06-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

Not necessarily a scam.

You don't sell on Craigslist much do you?

metlman72 · #13 09-06-2011, 10:49 AM

Its a scam and not even a good scam. C/L here in NY has that exact same scam listed as a scam. They (C/L) are getting much better with allerting the real buyer/seller about such scams. GLWTS.

stflbn · #14 09-06-2011, 10:51 AM

Another option is where they'll mention the item "exactly" as it's listed down to punctuation, etc, rather than a shortened version as all real replyers do. Meaning that these reply's to posts are all automated.

254 stringer · #15 09-06-2011, 10:55 AM

I'd say scam too why would someone from Texas want to pay to ship an 810 when they pop up on the major Texas cities craigslists all the time for cheap.

Tigger Bangdang · #16 09-06-2011, 10:56 AM

I always reply with a vulgar email address.

gravesbass · #17 09-06-2011, 10:57 AM

Oh yes, another craigslist scam.... I let a guy once send me the payment (cashiers check) and took it to a bank for clarification. They checked the authenticity and came back shaking their head telling me it was fraudulent. I let them keep it. The buyer (scammer) will say take your time but as soon as they send the check out, they wait a few days and will hound you to ship the item. I played this one but will never do it again....... Always sell with caution when dealing with craigslist. Good luck!

Ewo · #18 09-06-2011, 11:00 AM

It's a scam. Don't do it.

You should sell the amp to me. See, I just got an email that all my relatives in Nigeria just died and left me as sole heir. Gimme a couple days, and I'll have the bread for ya.

We oughtta talk about the price, though. There's this hot Russian chick who wants to marry me (musta dug my TB avatar, I guess...), and I gotta hold back part of my Nigerian inheritance so she and I can do Disneyworld right, on our honeymoon.

JTE · #19 09-06-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

Not necessarily a scam. I have made many purchases using bank checks. I have several reasons for this. First, PayPal will not increase my spending limit because they have not verified my account. They want me to provide my bank account number, which I refuse to do. I have been the victim of identity theft 4 times in the last few years and will never give out my bank account information. PayPal informed me that they would verify my account if I apply for a PayPal credit card. I do not need another card so I refused. Doesn't the fact that I have had made purchases using PayPal which have not been disputed verify that I am legitimate? The only way I can buy anything online is if I send a bank check or money order. The other reason I prefer to do business this way is that my cousin is a postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service. He informed me that if I send a check via US Mail and the seller cashes it but doesn't ship the item or if the item isn't as it was represented in the ad, the seller has comitted mail fraud which is a federal offense.

It's not just the "bank check" that raises a red flag. It's the "I'm too busy to deal with this myself" part, the "I've informed my attorney" and the awkward language use. Put those all together and it screams "RED FLAG!!!!!!!!"

John

6jase5 · #20 09-06-2011, 12:25 PM

CL is great for me. Cash only and I have a counterfeit pen and know how to spot fake 20's and 100's. Never had a problem buying or selling. You just ignore the spammers which with common sense you can smell 1000 miles away.

Before anyone comes to my house I ask for their driver's license number and license plate number. If they aren't readily willing to give it up, no more contact. I also ask if they are in a band, check their website, etc. Pretty easy to determine legit from bull...t. I've bought and sold well over 10K worth with no issues.