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Craigslist scammers!

#42
On a positive note, the guy I sold my bass to through Craigslist today had a certain amount of trust simply because he found me on Talkbass and could read a lot of my posts. I can also remember that before I was a member, I used TB as a resource. I have done many, many positive transactions on Craigslist locally. I always meet in a public place in plain view.
 
#44
Funny but true story - I was searching for a looper pedal for my son. Saw an ad on CL for a Boss pedal in primo condition for a sick price (RC 20 in the box for $100). Even though my guard was up, I contacted the guy anyway. He asked me to meet him at a train station at a specific time so we could make the exchange, then he could hop on his train. A little concerned, I Googled his name (his email led me to his name which I then searched), and the name came up as a guy charged with murder, from that town, just released from prison. So, I go anyway and meet him. When he approached I could easily see he looked nothing like the pics I found so, we did the exchange. I told him the story and we had a brief laugh before he caught his train.

I've definitely had some interesting encounters on CL but, fortunately everything has gone well and I never hesitate to do business using it.
 
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#45
Marc61 said:
I Googled his name (his email led me to his name which I then searched), and the name came up as a guy charged with murder, from that town, just released from prison. So, I go anyway and meet him.
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That's rock and roll, baby!

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#46
Never post a phone number on Craigslist. Convo should start in email. I delete on average 3 emails before replying to one, lowballers, trade offers, deleted. Those that have wasted my time in the past, showed up and lowballed etc are black listed. So far thats 5 people, I have there numbers saved and I remember there email names whenever I get them, ive learned that they must be resellers. I should actual post there names for LA Craigslist using talkbass members to avoid.
 
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#47
OP probably has some "Private Joker" mentality in him. I've got it also, and get where he's coming from. I don't necessarily waste my time with scammers, but when offered $400 for a $1,000 bass, I have responded with "Where were you yesterday? I sold it for $250."
 
#51
Turn what info you have over to the state insurance fraud ppl or the better business bureau, I believe thats who handles scam attempts initially and then let it go.

Don't flirt with the criminal element. They have nothing to lose, scoff at jail time and are know to lose their ability to reason very quickly which can have a disastrous ending.
 
#55
jacolyte said:
this has nothing to do with playing bass. OP should be banned or at least warned.
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He said he was selling a bass on craigslist and that's where the scammers struck. Most of the threads I've read on this site weren't about "playing bass." Threads all the way from repair tips to resolving band/stage/venue problems, don't really have anything to do with playing the bass, do they?
A lot of people have been telling the OP to calm down, but I think you've taken overreaction crown here.
 
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#56
bpclay1 said:
I need some ideas on how to get revenge! I'm selling some basses, and the amount of scam attempts I get is infuriating!

I've got one on the line, gave him an address, and am trying to push him to send the mover to do the pickup as soon as possible.

I'm thinking I could arrange a meeting, and not show.... Try to keep him waiting as long as possible.

Another was to post up away from the meeting place, then call the police.

Part of me wants to get a bunch of guys together, and show up with baseball bats just to make him poopie his pants.

I know the scammers I talk to aren't the "movers" that come to pick up the bass, but the movers have to know what they're doing right?

I've tried drawing out the initial convo endlessly with the scammers. I've given the address for the Whitehouse, the local police department... They keep coming and I keep getting more and more pissed off.

I even called the local police to ask off they were interested in setting up a sting with my cooperation! What are your ideas? Have you done anything funny, or ever gotten justice?
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And they could trace the photos back to the location of where they were taken (your house) and rob you. It takes 2 seconds to delete an email and forget about it. If you want to sell an item for free on a site like Craigslist this is a small downside to it. If it really bothers you than sell it on here or reverb.com for a fee.
 
#57
There's a degree of trust involved man. I've done many a Craigslist deal through middlemen and as a middleman. Its a convenient, safe way for folks who dont like meeting strangers to handle it. One time I got a gun pulled on me, so I pulled my licensed, registered 1911 out and put the merchandise (a good buddy's amp) back in my car, had a smoke, and we both drove off just fine. THIS IS AS VIGILANTE AS IT SHOULD GET!
Like everyone said, lots of great alternatives. TB, reverb, pawn shops, eBay, and your local music stores. There's no reason to go take on any Nigerian Scam cartels with a ragtag band of upset musicians, and should they exist they'd effin kill you bro. The way you make a difference is by contributing to accessible and helpful communities and helping the less knowledgeable avoid these situations. Being Batman is a recipe for getting dead, I dont know how much youre into comics but batman got the Sh*t kicked outta him like every other issue. As an average (I'm assuming, you could be a kung fu master, in which case respect brother) human Im gonna recommend take the constructive and legal outlets to combat the problem. You can call police tip lines for scams and here in Denver they actually have IT cops that scour the web for scams, prostitution and the like and I assume there's something similar in your area.
Lots of love brother your heart is in the right place, just make sure you keep a level head in the event of future dealings!
 
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#58
MultiScaleMale said:
Are you on West Allen St? If so, I wouldn't try scamming scammers, they can retaliate. Just let it go.
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Wow, just realized how easy it was to find me.

Anyway, this thread is good. Let me just say, I believe I said "part of me" wants to round up guys with baseball bats. I guess I should have specified, it's the part of me that I don't listen to.... I'm not going to do that.

I think the best thing to do if I want to help is start posting beware of scammer ads... And maybe sting this dude who's trying to get my bass
 
#59
I've had scammers even ask if I could send them the bass first, then when they receive it, they'll send me money on PayPal. It's a part of selling! I really don't get what you're asking here. Is it just that the guy isn't replying or what?
 

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