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Need help.Is this a scam?

lancimouspitt

lancimouspitt

Dec 10, 2008
729
658
41
dayton Ohio
#1
This morning I put an Ibanez soundgear I had for sell on craigslist.
2 people contacted me about purchasing the Bass.
One person seems real interested in purchasing it.
Everything seemed fine,but he wants to pay with a "certified check" and wants my cell phone number,along with my zip code.The guy doesn't even want to come see it for himself,and said he advises I take it off of craigslist.
He then said he would have one of his shippers come get it.

Does this sound like a scam were someone's trying to just get a bass off of me and cheat me out of my money?
Please help me guys!
 
#3
This is the original message

"Thanks for your prompt response.. I am very much satisfied with the condition and price of the item and I would like to make an immediate purchase of the item. So i will advice that you withdraw the ad from the web.
Pls, i will like to know how you intend to proceed on this, but i would prefer that i issue out a certified check to your location and upon the confirmation and clearance of payment, my shipper will come for the pick-up at your location.
I would really have loved to come for the viewing of the item but since i am not chanced my movers will.
If you are okay with this, please do get back to me with the following details so i can make out payment IMMEDIATELY.
1: Your Full Name to be on the payment
2: Your Address and zip code
3: Your mobile number or cell phone number "
 
#4
And with that, you'll get a fake check that will clear, until the bank tries to get their reimbursement for it, and then they find out it's a fake. Then they take the money out of your account, and that guy has your bass.
 
#16
Anyone who has an "agent" or "shipper" as an intermediary should set off alarm bells. Any reply that does not mention the item for sale is generally a scam as well. An interested human would ask about the bass you had for sale; a scambot will only mention the "item," and use localized words where the word is not used, like "advert" in the US. Clever scammers will just quote back part of the title of your ad, but in an odd sounding manner, as if a computer program was cutting and pasting into a form email. Beware of bad or bizarre grammar combined with proper spelling. The combination of horrific grammar and incomprehensible spelling, on the other hand, are often indicators the email is from an American.
 
#18
Notice too, the way it's written, it's not everyday English. This was clearly written by someone where English is not their first language, which is always a red flag in cases involving the Internet.

Read this next part a few times until it sinks in:

THE ONLY ADVANTAGE TO PURCHASING USED STUFF ON PLACE LIKE CRAIGSLIST IS THE ABILITY TO MEET LOCALLY AND THE BENEFITS MEETING LOCALLY HAS TO OFFER- SUCH AS THE ABILITY TO INSPECT THE ITEM FIRST TO CHECK IT OUT, NO CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS TO DEAL WITH, NOT HAVING TO WAIT FOR AUCTIONS TO END, AND COMPETING WITH LOCAL BUYERS RATHER THAN EVERYONE IN THE WORLD LIKE EBAY (i.e. the chance for you to truly get a good deal on something, which you can rarely do on ebay anymore).

If you're going to waste your time with shipping, checks, etc- then there isn't much to point in using CL, IMO.

EDIT: Felach pretty much covered what I said about the "odd" sounding verbiage. I agree.
 

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