Scam or no scam - Craigslist edition!

[bassinplace]

IME- Anytime the responder refers to what You are selling, as "this/the item", chances are its a scammer. When You reply back, look for a response that includes "I will send You a cashiers check" for more than what You're asking, and "I will have someone pick up The item and overwritten amount of money".
I never took the bait, but others have and it goes kind of like this. You deposit the "rubber check" in Your bank, and withdraw the overage. The check will seem legit in the upon first inspection by the bank, until They run it through, then it'll bounce. Basically, it's a con game where they get Your stuff and Your money, and there isn't a darned thing You can do about it.

If I suspected something like that, I just wouldn't reply.

I had a similar experience to the OP and many others with regards to this spam scam issue. A few days ago I posted two for sale ads back to back, one for a bass and the other a speaker cab. Within the next day I got the following identical response for the two items:

"Hello,
do you still have this item avilable for sale
Thanks?"

Personally my favorite part is the question mark following "thanks". A fine spambot response.

Needless to say I didn't reply.

Yeah, that message does seem more mechanical than the OP's example. I'd say best to err on the side of not getting spammed though.

 

[JMac- Wiskerface Designs]

It amazes me people accept anything other than cash these days. I've had people try to push personal checks, cashiers checks (whats the point????), gift cards (hah!), and all other sorts of pseudo-currency. For me its either trade an item with obvious cash value, or cashhhhh.

Yea. I typically say, "I accept all major forms of cash". However, I sold a Chevy small block V8 to a Young fellow a while back, and He paid Me $40.00 of the asking price in quarters. I didn't complain as it is a form of usefull currency, but I did wonder if He'd knocked off a vending machine or car wash to get that money.

 

[JohnMCA72]

I have a hard time believing there's anybody left who doesn't know this is a scam!

 

[Bassamatic]

When I sell on CL I always add the line - " if the ad is up, the item is still available"

These scam responses have stopped.

Also - Make sure you add -

CASH ONLY and NO SHIPPING ( unless you would do it).

 

[Munjibunga]

Scam, and don't respond to them. They'll have your email once you do. Right in the ol' trash bin if they don't mention the name of the item, and even then you can't be sure. I'm selling some JBL PA speakers on CL, and I got a response, "Large speakers suitable for outdoor venues?" which was clipped right from the ad. Trash bin.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

I received four more bogus responses since I posted yesterday. Some looking for the "item". And some just reposting the ad with a question mark. Spam bots - hate em.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

The bots just keep coming in...

[email protected] via craigslist.org
5:29 PM (20 minutes ago)

to znnhc-29646478.

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: craigslist | about > scams

I am willing to make a quick buy. Can we make a deal today?

 

[Geroi Asfalta]

scam. I've noticed of late the CL scammers have been having 2 first names, ex: Joseph William or David James.

I have three first names