Whats up with Cragslist sellers & cash only??

[Red Foreman]

Hi Fellas, could somebody shine a light on the thought process of the majority of Cragslist sellers? As some on this board may know I'm in Australia. Over the years I have purchased & imported 11 cars, trucks, countless parts & collectables that I shipped out of the west & east coast, organised by myself.

Every time I attempt to make a purchase on Craigslist it turns into frustration, when I email or call the seller & tell them I'm in Australia the reaction is 'No cash only' in some cases abused & hung up on??

I realise there is a huge scam issue going on with Craigslist,in Australia we also have a community based classifieds here with scammers aswell. But you can tell a scammer by them asking personal info without no detailed questions about the item itself & they never take the time out to call.

I'm currently trying to purchase a vintage mx bike from a nice fella in Sacramento Ca, after several emails I managed to talk to him by phone & offered him any form of payment except cash for obvious reasons, but couldn't convince him to sell it to me even at his asking price of 1k, he just couldn't get his head around this not being a scam.

Sorry for the rambling, its not really a rant but more of looking for a soloution, its 2012 & there are millions of transactions exchanging worldwide as i'm writing this but obviously not on Craigslist?

Cheers George.

[ETsC10]

George,
Unfortunately, the US is flooded by off-shore scams, especially from
Craigslist, and folks are getting very gun-shy.

On the bike, did you bring up the fact that you are as vulnerable as
he is? You might want to suggest a PayPal transaction and split the
fees (about $30 USD)? Or find a friend here and go through that person.

Sorry about your problems and I hope you get them resolved.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

George,
Unfortunately, the US is flooded by off-shore scams, especially from
Craigslist, and folks are getting very gun-shy.

That's probably 99% of the problem.
I personally don't buy anything off CL that I can't touch with my own hands. I've driven just over 4 hours to look at a CL item, but even that is a huge gamble. There's no way to know if the car/part will actually be there when I arrive.
If I were you, I'd stick to eBay. I've bought and sold probably 20+ vehicles on eBay with not one problem ever. At least when you win an eBay auction it's yours and it can't be sold to someone else, unless you just happen to get a dishonest seller, which again.... I haven't run into yet. Plus, eBay's feedback system at least gives the seller some initiative to be honest in his description.

[Red Foreman]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

George,
Unfortunately, the US is flooded by off-shore scams, especially from
Craigslist, and folks are getting very gun-shy.

On the bike, did you bring up the fact that you are as vulnerable as
he is? You might want to suggest a PayPal transaction and split the
fees (about $30 USD)? Or find a friend here and go through that person.

Sorry about your problems and I hope you get them resolved.

Thanks for all your input guy's, I guess this was a little late night post of frustration. Vulnerability on my end is a good point, I am the one willing to send money over with an unknown outcome? In saying that I have been careful & fortunate enough to deal with many honest US citizens over the years thats made my automotive hobby a joy, I once transferred 23k for a 68 RS for an out of ebay deal which turned out smooth & sweet.

This particular seller in Sacramento seems honest but maybe a little over cautious, this is one of the emails I sent him that were un answered before I managed to get through to him by phone on Friday.

"Hi Jeff,

I emailed you a couple of days ago regarding the cr80, I just tried calling you a couple of times but no answer. I'm still interested in the bike if you haven't yet sold it?

Can you give me a convenient time to call you & maybe arrange a couple more pictures? I'm kinder long distance so looking at it in person is no option. Also hopefully cash is not the only payment you accept?
Any other form of payment I can organise & not a problem.

Thanks again
George. ps, I am a legitimate collector, this is not a scam!"


http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/3458295461.html

Incase anyone is wondering why I'm chasing this bike is because I always wanted one as a kid but parents couldn't afford, now at 44yo I can a thats in real nice condition.
Sorry everyone, off the topic of trucks which what were really here for, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Us Aussies are one day a head of you guy's so I'll let you know all what its like!

[Denee007]

I sold my 57 Chevy Bel-air to a man in Melbourne, I think it was Melbourne, but anyway he wire transferred the funds directly to my bank, then when I saw the funds were there, the we proceeded on getting the chevy shipped to him(an additional 8900.oo). It was a smooth transaction, a little bumpy at first cause I didn't take it seriously, but after a few phone calls from him, I knew him to be serious. We still communicate now and then.

[spinned]

I did the same. Had a Russian guy transfer money to someone local who could get cash out of a local bank. CL is full of scammers. Half of the people that replied to my ad were obvious scammers or spammers. No offense, but I wouldn't let go of something unless I saw the cash. It takes up to two weeks to have a cashiers check clear my bank, and by that time there is no way to get your stuff or money back. And I am probably not giving up my bank account numbers and and name either. I lost $1,000 worth a merchandise a couple years back and that was a big enough lesson for me.

[OrrieG]

Maybe a member in the Sacremento area will contact you to help. I tend to be the same way, I get scammers wanting to do the dance on $10 CL items. When I do the sale I meet at a local shopping center to trade cash for the stuff, I don't want anyone scoping out my shop or property. A lot of CL "buyers" are just looking for a reason to come out to your place, check it out, say not to buying the item, then returning to rob you later. If the item is expensive I take a friend (person) and my 9mm.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Maybe a member in the Sacremento area will contact you to help. I tend to be the same way, I get scammers wanting to do the dance on $10 CL items. When I do the sale I meet at a local shopping center to trade cash for the stuff, I don't want anyone scoping out my shop or property. A lot of CL "buyers" are just looking for a reason to come out to your place, check it out, say not to buying the item, then returning to rob you later. If the item is expensive I take a friend (person) and my 9mm.

I do pretty much the same as Orrie said he does when I sell things on Craigslist. Since the place I work at is public property and the parking lot is easy to find I usually have the buyer meet me at work or meet me at the AM-PM down the street half a mile away. I had some characters deliver a load of firewood the other day that spooked me a bit by asking too many questions.

Still if you are receiving money or sending money the best thing is to go in and talk to you banker to see how the safest way to do either is.
There shouldn't be any reason that buyer himself needs your personal account information other than your full name and address. Also people have been known to set up special accounts at the bank separate from their personal accounts just to receive a payment for a vehicle too.

[1project2many]

when I email or call the seller & tell them I'm in Australia the reaction is 'No cash only'

Does this mean, as it says, that they won't sell an item for cash (No "cash only" sale) or that they won't sell for a check (No, cash only)?

[fabguy]

What orrieG said

Sad but true

[**grumpy**]

Im quilty of asking for cash also off CL ads I post.
I go as far as disable the email option and force a call or text
and even then, I scramble my number because the bums were scam calling and texting via automation.
My number is 330-719-8xxx
I do 33 letter O instead of zero 0
and letter I instead of 1
so it reads the same 33O 7I9 8xxx
that way they cant even auto dial me.

As for being overseas. Ive sold 3 cars/trucks overseas.
A 60 C10 to Australia, a 50 F1 to Denmark and recently a 31 Model A coupe to England.
each time the buyer called and we chatted, then they wired funds direct to my bank account.
All three transactions went perfect, for both parties.

Ive never had a legitimate call on a smaller item off CL from a overseas buyer, so not sure how Id handle that.

[ETsC10]

I'd send him a link to this thread!

[sgtusmc]

I'm about 300 miles away. I could meet him half way and store it in my garage till you arrange shipping to your side of the mudball.

[Red Foreman]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

I'm about 300 miles away. I could meet him half way and store it in my garage till you arrange shipping to your side of the mudball.

Sgtusmc, I really appreciate your offer it seems like a long way, but unless your headed towards there anyway I wouldn't like to burden you? I will send you a PM anyway later today, Cheers.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

I'm about 300 miles away. I could meet him half way and store it in my garage till you arrange shipping to your side of the mudball.

WOW Sarg, what a great offer !

That one really got to me, this site is really great !!!

Have a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS