Ugh, I hate craigslist scammers.

[cassanova]

I listed my Ibanez Sr535 on craigslist and thought I had a potential buyer. The first email I got might be a legit potential buyer as he asked if the item was still available. I emailed him telling him it was but haven't heard back from him yet.

The second one is from a completely different email address and reads as follows:

Hello ,
Am from Sanford,FL .I do like and am much interested in the buying the item from you as soon as possible,am hoping and believing it in the right condition like its described on www.craigslist.com so that is okay by me,I will be responsible and paying for all pick up and shipment process of the item using my Shipping Company(Strachan Shipping Company) right from your home thus my mover will come over for pick up after you cashed the payment
However, the payment for your item will be inform of check so you can easily CASH or DEPOSIT the check then ask your bank when the funds will be available ?but i think they should after 24-48hrs then withdraw the funds. Kindly get back to my mover to come for pick up after you got your cash.Am ready to offer $ so get back
Shaun Collins: Am ready to offer $ so get back to me with

1.Full name
2.Home Address
3.City
4.State
5.Zip code
6.Phone Number


Look forward to your reply
Sincerely Regards
Thank you a lot

I can't believe that some people actually fall for this crap.

[line6man]

Pfft. My very first experience with Craigslist was trying to sell a guitar case for $45. (IIRC.) The scammer told me he wanted the case for his store in China or something and offered me $50 extra for it. (More than the damn thing would cost new, mind you.) He said his private shipping company would pick up the item...

[CertifiedLurker]

You didn't have a first buyer. The first email was bait for the 2nd person. It happens all the time.

[A-Step-Towards]

Originally Posted by CertifiedLurker

You didn't have a first buyer. The first email was bait for the 2nd person. It happens all the time.

Yep.

I have sold about 50 basses on craigs, its annoying like the bass I have in my sig some guy wanted, called me set up a time, called me before leaving and called me as he pulled up at my house and said he was havings second thoughts. I mean he was right outside did not even look at it

[My name is Mudd]

The only time I listed a bass on C/L I got the EXACT same reply, except it came from Boston rather than Sanford FL.

[Indiana Mike]

So why not make up a name and give them guitar centers addy and phone # for fun

[My name is Mudd]

I sent back the address and main phone number of the Tulare County* Sheriff's Office...for some reason, I never heard anything back from Boston.


* the county I live in

[line6man]

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

Yep.

I have sold about 50 basses on craigs, its annoying like the bass I have in my sig some guy wanted, called me set up a time, called me before leaving and called me as he pulled up at my house and said he was havings second thoughts. I mean he was right outside did not even look at it

Sounds like he was really committed to time wasting!

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by CertifiedLurker

You didn't have a first buyer. The first email was bait for the 2nd person. It happens all the time.

That's what I kinda thought too after reading the 2nd email. Do note in my OP that I said "might have a potential." I was quite leery.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

So why not make up a name and give them guitar centers addy and phone # for fun

I thought about it for a nano second, but I wouldn't feel right giving out anyone or business info like that when I know the person's a scammer.

I just replied to them with: "Sorry, I don't take checks or money orders. This is a cash only transaction that will transpire in a public place."

[Strat-Mangler]

CL seems to be filled with scammers, though I still think it's a good tool to sell & advertise.

I've been looking for an apartment and the latest one around here is that these scammers want you to sign an email-transmitted lease without having seen the place and give a 500$ "deposit."

Greetings,

The apartment is still available for rent and is available for long term/short term lease. I'm a Mechanical Engineer and I just got a job with an Engineering Company in Manchester.United Kingdom , I work as a Senior Project Supervisor and i will be here for long that is why am putting up my apartment for rent.The apartment is located at XXXXXXXXXXXX (some random address).

This unit is available for immediate move in.Beautiful furnished 2bed/2bath apartment ,The apartment is strategically located in a very cool and lovely environment with many appliances including refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, full size washer and dryer· Cable TV, central air conditioning and vertical blinds installed on all windows dish washer with in-suite laundry room and plenty of storage space and parking space . Professional and mature neighbors ensure peaceful living arrangements. Freshly painted.The rent is $1100 per month including utilities and $550 for damage deposit...I will like you to drive by to the building today to view the exterior of the building for you to know where the apartment is located and get back to me so that I can forward you the full interior pictures for you to have an idea on how beautiful and spacious the inside looks and we can proceed to the next step which is the application process.

Thanks for taking your time in writing me and hope to hear back from you.

Cheers

The bad grammar, cryptic language, and the fact that you can't see the place until *after* you've given money on top of giving away personal info that could be used for identity theft were all a giveaway.

Here's another example that is much more blatant that I got yesterday.

Hello Dear,
!!!!It is a great pleasure that you are interested in my house... Thanks for your email and it is my gladness hearing from you. we are the owner of the house you are making inquiry of.I am looking for responsible tenants that he/she is going to take care of the house as if it were your own and he/she will be willing to make the Property clean as we left it.
Actually I resided in the house with my family,such as my wife and my only daughter before and presently we had packed due to my transfer from my working place and now situated in the (West Africa Nigeria)and won't be coming to the House until Five years now and that means we are renting the Property for long term and short term lease is also acceptable. and presently my house is still available for rent for $700 which the security deposit is $500 dollars including the utilities like Heat, A/C in wall/window, Hydro, cable, Garbage Disposal, Fireplace , Fridge,
stove, Dishwasher, Dryer, Breakfast Bar, Dining Table and Sofa Set,Refrigerator,Canopied deck overlooking nature.,internet access e..t.c .,
We came to West Africa under (WHO) World Health Organization(WHO).. WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.Visit our website for more information if you also want to make an impact to the world. XXXXXXXX. I hope you will promise me to take very good care of the House.. The House is very big and nice and it is in a nice area I have received many proposals today for my property.
So i hope you will promise us that you will take very good care of the house. So get back to me if you know you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting home.Hope you are okay with the price of $700 per month and the security Deposit is $500.Get back to me for the rental application...The security deposit is refundable if you are not okay with the house.
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTRESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENTAL APPLICATIONS FORMS BELOW
Pls let me get this answer.

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
FULL NAME__________________________ ________________________ HOME PHONE ( )________________________
CELL PHONE( )_____________________________ _______
DATE OF BIRTH_________________________ ________
OTHER PHONE ( ) ___________________
CURRENT ADDRESS_______________________ ________APT#________ CITY__________________ STATE______ ZIP________
REASONS FOR LEAVING?______________________ ______RENT $__________PHONE ( ) ____________________________
ARE YOU MARRIED_______________________ _____
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE LIVING IN THE HOUSE_________________________ ___
DO YOU HAVE PETS__________________________ __
DO YOU HAVE CARS__________________________ __
OCCUPATION____________________ ________
IF THE HOUSE IS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU,HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY__________________________ ____

MOVE IN DATE__________________________ __

HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT SENT TO ME___________________________

HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE_________________________ __


Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file encase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you,please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that,we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

Quality home on a quiet end street. Big kitchen, lovely family room, fireplace, full basement and cute yard!
Bedrooms:
Bathrooms:


A month rent:$700
Deposit:$500
Application fee:
Pet policyk
Smoking inside:Not allowed
Thanks and remain blessed

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by Strat-Mangler's second ad

IF THE HOUSE IS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU...

Since the house is 'been given to you,' ask them why they are talking about rental fees...

[Staccato]

If they're not local and offering you a telephone number, or sounding legit...

[neurotictim]

IME, when I'm selling on CL, I'll look for the word "item". If someone is interested in "the item" I listed, it's a scam.

Also, if you post in your ad something to the effect of "Reply to this ad and put XXXXXXX (whatever you want) in the subject line of the email or I'll delete it as spam", that tends to make it easier to weed out the scammers.

[MJ5150]

Is it the white one?

-Mike

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

IME, when I'm selling on CL, I'll look for the word "item". If someone is interested in "the item" I listed, it's a scam.

Makes some sense and truth be told, I never thought of that. I usually say "the bass" or whatever it is I'm thinking about buying when I email them.

Also, if you post in your ad something to the effect of "Reply to this ad and put XXXXXXX (whatever you want) in the subject line of the email or I'll delete it as spam", that tends to make it easier to weed out the scammers.

Never thought of that either but I'd think scammers would comply with the request. I know I would if I was trying to scam someone.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Is it the white one?

-Mike

I'm not quite sure who you're asking this to, but if it's directed at me and about the bass, yeah the Sr535 is pearl white.

[MJ5150]

You bro.....I wouldn't mind having a 535, so I went looking for your ad.

-Mike

[MX21]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

IME, when I'm selling on CL, I'll look for the word "item". If someone is interested in "the item" I listed, it's a scam.

Also, if you post in your ad something to the effect of "Reply to this ad and put XXXXXXX (whatever you want) in the subject line of the email or I'll delete it as spam", that tends to make it easier to weed out the scammers.

When responding to an ad, I always make sure to ask a couple item-specific questions so they know I'm not a spammer. Most spammers won't know anything about fretwear or active vs passive.

Conversely, if I get a questionable inquiry to an item I'm selling, I'll respond with some sort of question or information that only a knowledgable buyer would understand. "what type of pickups are you looking for" or "do you mind that it has left-handed strings installed?"

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

You bro.....I wouldn't mind having a 535, so I went looking for your ad.

-Mike

I deleted the post late last night.

I started playing it last night and thought to myself, that I'm going to hold off on selling it until I find steady work again.

They're $650 new, so I seriously doubt you would want to pay the $600 price I was asking. Though the bass and included gig bag are in like new condition, I know the price is steep. Not to mention your location says you're in Washington and I'm way over and down in Florida.