I love craigslist. I have made a lot of money there. Legitimately. I have sold some random stuff. I have rented rooms in my house there. Fast. Efficient. Always a good experience. Until now.
I have decided to sell basically EVERYTHING in my house before I move. Over the weekend, I posted several ads for various pieces of furniture - like the English art deco cabinet below.
Almost immediately, I got the note below in response to the ad for the cabinet. She says she can't come pick it up - because she is "in Argentina" - but she wants to send me a check if I give her my name, address, and phone number. Then her "mover" will come and get it.
I got nearly identical messages for every other piece of furniture I posted. One guy's excuse was not that he was in Argentina, but that he had a broken leg and could not come to get the chair. But his "mover" could.
The Note.
Hey,
Thanks for the prompt response to my enquiry. I want to buy it, I would love to come and check it but i am currently out of state to Continent of Argentina. Pls i wiil want you to remove the advert from web and make it reserved for me.
I should believe the item is in perfect condition as stated on the web. I will be making the payment through a Certified Check which which will sent across to you by my secreatary. I'll be picking the item from you, the mover fee will be added to the money for the Item and the mover will also be picking some otehr items for me in your location. My Mover will be coming to Pick it from you once the Check clears from your Bank which will take 2-3 bus. day. Then you'll get the payment across to shipping vendor. Pls I will need both your name and physical address along with you phone number to issue out the payment.
I actually think it's kinda funny, except that I bet a lot of people fall for it...
How sad has our society fallen when not even craig's list is safe!
Posted by: Andy | March 23, 2007 at 03:31 AM
Oh, okay! I get it now. :)
Well, that's sucky and mean.
One time I was watching a TV show about internet scams and this woman pretended she was pregnant and that she would give her baby up for adoption to this couple and she wasn't even pregnant, she just used them for money because they paid her rent and stuff when she needed it.
People are mean.
Posted by: Sarah | March 21, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Maybe it would have been more believable if they didn't say they were on the 'Continent of Argentina'. Since when was Argentina a continent? I mean I know they think a lof of themselves down there, but a continent?
Posted by: Anthony | March 20, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Sarah, according to Craigslist - "FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later."
Posted by: James (dcjay) in Washington, DC | March 20, 2007 at 10:26 AM
I don't get it...why would they do that?
How can they scam you if they're the ones sending the money?
Posted by: Sarah | March 20, 2007 at 09:58 AM