Craig's List scam out of Oregon

NickInMesa · #1 03-25-2010, 11:22 PM

I put my MTD Kingston on CL on Sunday and Monday I got a call from a guy who asked me all sorts of questions, including about the action, pickups, features, etc... Asked me how different it was from the new models.

Then he said he wanted a 2-day grace period. I said ok, if you don't like the bass, you send it back, I refund you minus shipping.

It's a good bass, I had a feeling he would keep it.

Well, first he wanted me to send him the bass without any payment from him, he would pay me if he liked it or send it back. Sorry, but no.

I asked for full payment, nothing less. To which he agreed. Asked me twice my email address, which was the one used in my emails to him.

Well, it turned out the dude never sent me anything via Paypal. First claimed that AMEX blocked payment, that he had to call them to have them allow transferring the money to my Paypal (which I believe is possible, since AMEX is really anal about that) and that the money would be transferred 20 minutes later.

The next day, no money. Kept emailing and leaving messages. Emailed me back, claimed he had sent the money (he never did), repeated the email address, in case someone has a similar Yahoo email address in his Paypal. The next day, still no money.

He kept asking me to ship it anyway, that I could trust him, since I had his name, address, business etc...

Turns out he uses an email address from a domain name linked to a very legit Web site for a fictitious background check company of which he claims to be the President and CEO. It's all fake, obviously.

He spent the entire day sending me "let's do it!", "send me the bass" emails but never replying to my phone calls or returning them.

I finally left him a voicemail and an email asking him to stop bothering me.

fenderfunker · #2 03-25-2010, 11:31 PM

A$$$h@@l just preying on the vulnerable or naive. I can't believe how many people there are that have not one ounze of conscience. You have it, I want it; that is about as much/deep as they seem to think. I hate those selfish types who want things for free, despite the damage/suffering they cause. I'm glad you didn't fall into his trap.

60's Bluesman · #3 03-25-2010, 11:51 PM

call the cops

bongomania · #4 03-25-2010, 11:56 PM

Man, that sucks. It does seem like if he sent so many emails, he could be traced even through the fictitious domain "front", so I agree--call the cops.

60's Bluesman · #5 03-26-2010, 12:03 AM

i wouldnt wait to call the cops either nick ppl like that cover their tracks quickely, you gotta get this guy like now or your never gonna see a dime for that bass

waleross · #6 03-26-2010, 12:51 AM

I never have never will have anything to do with CL. Its for criminals of all types and that's it. Ebay can be a pain but I never got ripped off there and everything I bought was at least delivered and done in a professional manner. If its a deal is too good to be true it is. If an honest pers. like yourself just wants to sell something for a fair price, why should you be willing to have to expose yourself to these scammers? Maybe get the cops to sell your bass on CL, then these creeps will get what they deserve. Why use Craig's List anyway? This forum has enough people that might want what you are selling. I've never sold anything on Ebay only bought but I could. At least there all of the checks and balances are in place to protect all parties.

Maybe this will help people from being CL scammed:::::

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

Good luck

Munjibunga · #7 03-26-2010, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waleross

I never have never will have anything to do with CL. Its for criminals of all types and that's it. Ebay can be a pain but I never got ripped off there and everything I bought was at least delivered and done in a professional manner. If its a deal is too good to be true it is. If an honest pers. like yourself just wants to sell something for a fair price, why should you be willing to have to expose yourself to these scammers? Maybe get the cops to sell your bass on CL, then these creeps will get what they deserve. Why use Craig's List anyway? This forum has enough people that might want what you are selling. I've never sold anything on Ebay only bought but I could. At least there all of the checks and balances are in place to protect all parties.

Maybe this will help people from being CL scammed:::::

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

Good luck

I've bought and sold lots of stuff on CL, and never had a problem. My rule:

Face-to-face local deal, cash only. Phone call first.

hrodbert696 · #8 03-26-2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

My rule:

Face-to-face local deal, cash only. Phone call first.

+1. I've only had a few deals over CL, buying and selling, but this was always the way we did it. Go to ebay if you're using paypal.

DWBass · #9 03-26-2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I've bought and sold lots of stuff on CL, and never had a problem. My rule:

Face-to-face local deal, cash only. Phone call first.

+1 I have bought and sold a ton of stuff off Craigslist.

I did, however, do one single long distance deal (VA to PA). Dude called me and I asked the guy was he sure he wanted to do it. He was pretty serious about wanting the item I had for sale! He sent the money via PayPal and I shipped my item. He received it and both parties are happy!

tdogg · #10 03-26-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I've bought and sold lots of stuff on CL, and never had a problem. My rule:

Face-to-face local deal, cash only. Phone call first.

i make it VERY clear that i only accept immediate cash payment for anything on CL, paypal only on ebay. saves alot of headaches. if anyone asks to pay a different way, i just say "sorry cash only"

NickInMesa · #11 03-26-2010, 09:02 AM

There is no calling the cops over anything. There is no case. The guy was very careful in his language, it was all about "mutual trust".

I also have sold and bought a lot from CL. My wife advertises her services (calm down: she's a mobile pet groomer) through CL.

I also bought my CIJ Jazz from a guy in California. We had several phone conversations and emails, I used Paypal, sent the money, he shipped it, gave me a tracking #, two days later I had the bass delivered at work, in my cubicle.

It's true there are a lot of scam artists on CL, without counting all the ugly prostitution business (I am not 100% against prostitution, it really was bad, stories of runaway girls pimped out of motels, etc...)