Need help.Is this a scam?

[mrtn400]

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.

Exactly.

And personally, I would have said "No!" to them right away just for using "Pls" in their e-mail.

 

[Munjibunga]

This is a total scam. Don't do it.

 

[Basseroni]

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!

Run away and run fast. Don't even THINK about walking.

That is TRULY a scam. That happened to me twice and both times I told the "inquirer" where to go. Unfortunately, Craigslist is very vulnerable to scams like that and it happens often.

Also remember that if it sounds too good to be true....it IS too good to be true.

 

[Kevinmach]

I have had almost all positive experiences on CL following a few simple principles.

- Negotiate a tentative price in advance.
- Always meet the seller to exchange cash for item (a foregone conclusion in my mind)
- Let the seller know that the price is "as long as the item reflects the condition they've described" - a polite way of saying if I get there and you've misrepresented the item or it's condition, there will be no deal. Always keep in mind it's used, but don't be afraid to say NO if for some reason it's not the impression they gave you.
- Be sure it's a good enough of a deal that you're willing to deal with a few unknown imperfections or may need to repair some minor detail- I once got a synth with a key that wouldn't always play that I didn't know about until I got home- no big deal, I got a great deal on it and took care of the problem myself. (This is why it cracks me up when I see people selling used stuff for 10-30% less than what you could pay new- it's simply not worth the risk and hassle to me unless it discounted 30% or more-unless it's rare or there are some extenuating circumstances- i.e. I bought it last night and the IRS called this morning).

As buyer you should exercise good etiquette:

-Be on time when and where you will meet them.
-Don't send emails that are ridiculously lower than what the item is worth, unless you have good reason.
-Don't try to change the terms in the parking lot of wherever you meet unless you have a good reason (damage they didn't mention, etc).

 

[dreadheadbass]

this scam is nearly as old as the internet give him the number for a local sex line and a fake name and address and waste his time (its known as scam baiting its great fun i do it a lot)

just send him an adult phone number with an name and address like

justin credible
666 box road trashville
makebelieve ave
scamersaregay
bjs 4 fr33

the guy will contact you in about a week saying the address is fake but will probably still ask you for another address as there that stupid and desperate to scam you the dont know when there being taken for a ride

check out Invalid Link Removed for more info

 

[Mofo-Kang]

(This is why it cracks me up when I see people selling used stuff for 10-30% less than what you could pay new- it's simply not worth the risk and hassle to me unless it discounted 30% or more-unless it's rare or there are some extenuating circumstances- i.e. I bought it last night and the IRS called this morning).

This is one of the things that bugs me about Ebay. Here's an item you can buy for $200 at the store--say, a computer video card. So what do people do? Bid up to $200 (some dummies will even go higher). What's the point? You didn't save any money, and now you have to deal with the wait time, probably pay for shipping, and possibly have a seller who's scamming you.

 

[amandolin]

sell him a cardboard bass :-D....
fake money, fake bass, fake transaction...fun!

http://www.thescambaiter.com

The guys at that site convince scammers to pay for shipments the scammers think are laptops, cell phones, etc. but are really toilets, old broken 486 notebooks, all sorts of junk. Usually the scammers are in Africa, so you can imagine how much money they lose. It's hilarious.

Back on topic, yeah, just ignore that offer. Seems scammers have gotten into everything.

 

[Mike Shevlin]

Maybe you should send the 'buyer' a link to this thread.

 

[Jim Campbell]

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!

big time...the reason he would have a "shipper" pick it up is so you dont even have a guy to describe to the cops.....
the only way to safely accept a certified check is to go to his branch of his bank,have him cash it and give you cash before you turn over the goods........
deposit a so called certified check at your bank and it will go through til it reaches his bank then it will come back to you with nsf/overdraft and whatever charges your bank adds.....
this guy sounds too shady to even allow into the house to try it out......giving up any personal data to this guy will ensure that your credit rating will be toast .....
red flag? russia doesnt have that many red flags

 

[lancimouspitt]

Maybe you should send the 'buyer' a link to this thread.

LOL.

Actualy I did.

 

[Mofo-Kang]

LOL.

Actualy I did.

So now next time he'll know what mistakes he's been making and how to fix them. Thanks!