quote:

Originally posted by JKR:
DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

That's right because the "ALMIGHTY OZ" isn't watching over Craigslist...

elambo, I'm glad to see that you have a sense of humor!

Deal only with people you meet in person and you also avoid 99 percent of the available Collings. Caveat emptor, and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. He's not the great and powerful Oz. Nope. Just look at the screen and you'll believe.

quote:

Originally posted by elambo:
Thanks guitarhak!

I think I'll make this a sticky to sit at the top of the forum as a warning of Online Outpost.

Sniff... my first sticky. I would like to thank my agent, the Craigslist con man, the Almighty Oz, and everyone else who made this possible.

Holy Cow!

sonoman,
seems there a few things we agree on.
OZ? that's funny?

More than either of us suspect, Buster.

Having also been nearly scammed myself, the few funny consistent things I noticed were: the idot scamers cant even spel corectly. They are ALWAYS out of town, usually in another country. They ALWAYS use a shipper or some 'agent'. They have overly complex stories and methods of delivery. They almost always talk about bank checks and make it sound like THEY'E the one trying to avoid scammers. They are ALWAYS in a hurry and are very excited about making the deal NOW. They often offer to pay MORE than what you're asking. They often want you to take the item off the sale area asap. If you so much as question their unusual methods, you will most likely not hear from them again. ALL of their e-mail addresses are a front. They create hundreds of temporary free e-mail sites to avoid being tracked. They are ALL a-holes. I almost sold a Waterrower to a scammer. When I confronted him on e-mail, I never heard from him again. I then heard from another guy who sounded similar, and when I confronted him he disappeared. I actually think it was the SAME guy both times. Unreal.

You're right about that. If you look, you'll usually see signs that something ain't right. Usually.

MANY years ago I bought a piece of studio gear via eBay from a guy in New England. He wanted a cashier's check... I was reluctant, but he was able to convince me after a lengthy conversation. Then he wanted me to send the check to an address with a street number very similar to his, but not quite the same. I asked why I'd ever be willing to send to an alternate address and he said, "that's a tattoo parlor just below my shop which sometimes collects my mail when I'm not there." A brighter sign of "something-ain't-right" I've never before seen. But I needed the piece, his references were good, and when I called the tattoo shop the did a good job of convincing me. I sent the check. I got the piece in perfect condition and everyone was happy. I'd bitten off half my nails before opening the box (which I'd expected to be filled with 3 or 4 bricks and a few pages from the local newspapers), but in the end the highly suspicious sale was entirely legit.

I'd still always suggest caveat emptor (or caveat venditor [ yes, I had to look it up]) when you feel that something might be just a little off.

Here's a link to an overview of a Craig's List scam that contains several tips on avoiding victimhood. (Scroll 1/2 page on left) This is a weekly online consumer publication, so you may need to reference the June 30, 2008 issue.

B