$186 risk

[Left Left Goose]

i found a squier VM jazz fretltess in jacoburst on the LA craigslist
i contacted the seller and ti turns out they live about 99 miles away

we figured it would be cheaper to ship it than me drive there (20 miles a gallon for 200 miles = 10 gallons @ $3.80 = $38) so they agreed to ship through DHL ground for $11 + $175 for the bass

my only concern is that the seller speaks very poor english as well as having a different email address from their paypal....they also say it takes 2 days to transfer the money from paypal to their bank account, is this true?
should i be suspicious or just go balls out and hope for a steal?
ive seen pictures and it looks fine, it will be my backup bass but i dont mind mojo at all, especially on this bass

would you go for it?
is it worth the risk?

thanks for your help

 

[BlacktotheBlind]

If it were a >$300 bass I would just make the drive. But for a $186...I guess it depends if you're really willing to lose the money.

 

[kesslari]

So you're talking an extra $27 to see the bass firsthand and make sure the deal goes through straight.

If you can afford to lose the $186, it's a non-issue.
If it were me, I think the $27 would be well spent for my peace of mind. Not to mention not having to wait for the bass.

 

[Thor]

I think you should empty your bank account and give
them all your money.

No?

Bet you worked hard for that money.

Find a point halfway and set an appointment. At a
public place, a Carl's or something.

Straight up cash deal.

If you like it, you take it. If you don't, walk.

3rd party deal, I don't think so. Sounds like a scam.
No scammers in LA, right? Didn't think so.

 

[Joe Gress]

Transfers from paypal to bank account are instant I thought. ???

 

[Thor]

Sounds like they want the money out of the paypal system
before they turn over the bass, if they hand it over.

 

[ReidK]

 

[Brummie]

I'd be suspicious, I have a Squire modified fretless jazz and would drive 100 miles to buy one as good as I got, it is f**in perfect - sound, tuning, weight, looks everything (OK, the pick ups are a bit iffy - but can be changed), once you've paid by paypal you've paid, over here transferring into a bank account is immediate.
I hope you buy it & it's a good 'un.
cheers

 

[Kenbuntu]

Buy a Corolla!

 

[Brummie]

Buy a Corolla!

Don't listen - it's a trick, but the Squire.

Corolla's are made from the devil's horns & part of their profits go to the KKK - it's true, I read it on Wiki.

DISCLAIMER - some things in this post might not be true.

 

[LowDown Hal]

99 miles isn't that far. I'd offer to meet half way with CASH.

No meet - no sale.

Remember, there is ALWAYS another deal.

 

[Kenbuntu]

$186 = a months lease for a Corolla. haha, that sounds just about right.