Craigslist Scam! When it seems to good to be true...............it probably is.

[4570Man]

1978 Ford Diesel Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Text only seller so I never got a handle on this one.

I don't see an obvious problem here that makes it look like a scam. What's the reason for posting? I was going to text the guy and waste his time, but since it appears legit to me I didn't. The area code matches the state and he has numerous pictures. I don't spend much time on Craigslist any more so maybe I'm behind the times, but I didn't think either were common for a scammer.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I don't see an obvious problem here that makes it look like a scam. What's the reason for posting? I was going to text the guy and waste his time, but since it appears legit to me I didn't. The area code matches the state and he has numerous pictures. I don't spend much time on Craigslist any more so maybe I'm behind the times, but I didn't think either were common for a scammer.

Some are that good until web tracts are followed a short distance.

 

[ch47dpilot]

found a UTV for a great price. was listed in SE Alabama Craiglist. Emailed seller and after some back and forth they told me it was in some Ebay storage in Huston TX. Told them I was stationed at FT Hood and that I go by Huston every so often and if we could arrange a time to see it. Never heard back. I love having fun with them sometimes and see how far they will go.

 

[goeduck]

A few years ago I was buying a lot of stuff on CL. I was never scammed but I did bail out a few times at the driveway if it did not seem right. I only would pay cash after whatever I was buying was in the back of my truck. I also was as selective as I could be by asking a lot of questions on the phone. Also the backgrounds of CL photos tell a lot about who you are dealing with. Junky garages and equipment under tarps were an instant no-go.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I find it is better to get a price worked out before I make a long drive. The price agreement is based on me finding what was pictured and per the write up. On the 2600 gas that I pulled a trailer 250 miles to pick up was with solid people but I got there and one rear wheel sealed had already failed and it was not covered by any photo. The grandson was selling his late grandfather's tractor on behalf of the family and was not able to get all the parties together to address my new offer so I drove 15 miles and picked up Rusty that I had driven up by car and looked at two weeks before. Showing up with a trailer is not always the best time to try to bargain. Rusty's seller started out with a low ball price and it was fixed in stone. Hey that works for me too.

CL can be as dangerous to the seller as to the buyer. The deal where the texting stopped when I said the location of the bank that I would get the cash and hand it to them at the cashier's window was a give away that they were looking for someone to show up with a wad of cash. Some police departments invite buyers and sellers to do the deal in their parking lots.

 

[mcfarmall]

Heres the deal. If these scammers can make bank off s uckers who fall for these poorly written, predictable "I'm leaving for a one year tour overseas for the military" lines, just think of the success you might have with a well written, not quite too good to be true price, and local foliage in the background.

Commenting for a friend :laughing:

 

[prichard]

Did you check out the owner of the phone number?

Guess I'm missing something. It comes back as Verizon number in marion IN.

 

[fried1765]

1978 Ford Diesel Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Text only seller so I never got a handle on this one.

Seems legit to me.

 

[fried1765]

found a UTV for a great price. was listed in SE Alabama Craiglist. Emailed seller and after some back and forth they told me it was in some Ebay storage in Huston TX. Told them I was stationed at FT Hood and that I go by Huston every so often and if we could arrange a time to see it. Never heard back. I love having fun with them sometimes and see how far they will go.

I do that sort of stuff too, just for fun.
I lead them along for a while, and then tell them my brother lives in the same town, and he can come by to see it.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Guess I'm missing something. It comes back as Verizon number in marion IN.

Look at the age and address of the name associated with the number.

 

[EddieWalker]

I google the phone number and then do the same thing on FB looking for any info on that number to see if it's a real person, or if they are listing tons of different ads all over the country. Most of the time, I find out that I have a mutual FB friend and it's all good. A few times I've walked away when I saw listings in different states. Rarely will I find nothing, but if it all looks OK in the ad, I'll call and talk on the phone. I never text or make any plans through email. If I cannot get a phone number and talk to a person, I walk away.

Same thing with Facebook Groups, but I find that the for sale items there are almost always legit and easy to confirm that the seller is really selling something.

 

[prichard]

Look at the age and address of the name associated with the number.

How are you getting age and name? You subscribe to one of those services?

 

[countrybumpkin]

He’s just upset because it’s nicer than the 3600 he just bought.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

How are you getting age and name? You subscribe to one of those services?

I worked on Rusty all day yesterday and came in tired and wrote you a long reply then changed screens and lost it all.

Worked on him more today but not brain dead after a few hours at McDonald's eating and drinking 5 cups of coffee.

The services you mention I find to be a rip off for my usage because they are just data mined from Google in the first place it seems. After using google daily mainly to find data on health concerns and different Ways Of Eating for a few years I just learned how to scan the first 5-10 pages of an Google search. Patterns just start jumping off the screen. Using Chrome and right clicking any work or group of words is so easy to search quickly.

For CL those listing a phone number often makes researching the seller easy. In the case under discussion I believe it was hit #5 that gave the name and physical address of the phone owner and from that point it was just Googling forward over and over. Because the subject was so intriguing I got in about 4 hours deep because each answer raised many more questions.

There is nothing certain when it comes to web searches but in time a diverging or converging pattern will typically appear. I would still like to know the story why the tractor has not been started in 3 years and the ad is running to sell it.

 

[japody]

What an idiot......

2QQ4 Kubota with LOADER Tractor Dealership serviced - heavy equipment - by owner - sale

 

[Texasmark]

I just bought a '88, 3910-II, 900 verified hrs For $7500, no loader (didn't want one), listed for $9k on Dallas Craig's List. A real tractor in really fine shape. It helps when you can go to the equipment and check it out in person......be sure and bring your trailer.....helps your position when haggling on price. Estate sale, pasture mower, farmer and wife died, single owner....sweet.

 

[4570Man]

What an idiot......

2QQ4 Kubota with LOADER Tractor Dealership serviced - heavy equipment - by owner - sale

 

[prichard]

View attachment 562485View attachment 562486

I played with one of those scammers once. I set up a throwaway gmail account. Got the story about how it was in an Ebay warehouse but they'd shop to me as soon as I paid, etc.

 

[4570Man]

I messaged another person about a 2006 case backhoe for $9000. Instead of Memphis like the add said it was actually inNevada. They gave the classic they’re being deployed and need it sold ASAP story. They wanted me to send $9000 to to a 3rd party to hold until I got the backhoe. Yeah right. I told them i had $9k cash and a $1000 tip for when it was delivered to my front door. Haven’t seen it yet.