I emailed a seller on craigslist for a inexpensive set that unopened and wanted to meet up with them and they said they would

use paypal and that raised a flag so I asked why so low and why can't we meet and whoever that person was said that they received emails from most people wanting it shipped and who wants to meet in person with all the things that happen with people getting held up at gunpoint ect.

I know that there have been stories with craigslist but meeting in a public place or with a group of friends is helpful and safe and emailed them that.

Well now this scammer is trying to defend him/her self and said that they belong to brickpicker and watch the forums and sees what they say also said know some robin hood person? and also sees the same people emailing him.

Well right there I say forget it and try to move and figured I rather pass on this.

They emailed me one final time saying that people will use paypal no matter what and it is secure and also that because the prices are so low if her sells a couple of items a week he makes 600 or so plus bragging about having different ads up in different states besides the two people write about here.

So I am going to be more careful about who I buy from on craigslist and realize that craigslist warns about shipping,escrow and I know better and hope no one gets taken at all.

Had to delete my email so the moron doesn't write me again but now when I look on craigslist to see prices that are too good to be true I just pass.simple

Anyway I know this is long but we are all collectors here and know our stuff and if not we have people looking out for us.

So the way I figured is that this person watches what we write,knows the same names emailing them so probably why they dont reply back and 600 a week is not that much for some low life scammer, but still enough to piss me off being a collector.

 

 

 

Oh, I know it happens.  Thus the 5% wiggle room I mentioned.  Still, if that happened to me, I would track down the person on his cell phone and put the heat on.  Tell him I have a collection of swords and guns (not telling him they are all plastic and only about an inch and a half long)

I always push to meet at their house. You don't typically rip someone off who knows where you live.

 

I had a guy that somewhat pushed to meet at my house with stuff I was selling and I told him no way.  He ended up being a really nice guy that was genuinely interested in Lego as well as his kids, but I'm not showing somebody that I have tens of thousands of dollars worth of Lego in my basement.  On the flip side, we've sold stuff on Craigslist, and other sale sites through Facebook and such where it hasn't been a problem, but there also wasn't much money changing hands.  I have met folks at their homes, but I know I'm not a crazy stalker so I don't think too much of it.

I have used it a few times already.  Both times I used PayPal to buy, since I asked for the person's personal cell phone number so I could text them back and forth.  Getting their phone number really makes it much more secure, because that can be traced back to them much more easily than an email address.  Anyway, get a cell phone number and I would say you're about 95% in the clear and safe.  If they don't have a cell phone number with texting, then I wouldn't even talk to them. 

Eh, the guy I dealt gave me his phone number......and it was based in Iowa.  That was a red flag to me.  The other problem was meeting up.  Getting a phone number is pointless if you can't even meet up and he wants you to pay first.

I had 80 dollars stolen from me by a military member who I was texting with and I had verified his identity online.  This was back in my stupid days and I sent him a money order for some Legos.  Never heard back from him after he gave me a bunch of BS excuses why he hadn't shipped such as his grandma died.

Dang, that sucks.....and you thought you could trust him because he said he was a military member.  Lesson learned I guess.

Dang, that sucks.....and you thought you could trust him because he said he was a military member.  Lesson learned I guess.

I remember buying for a military personal last year. They priced the lot very fairly and they offered free delivery. Very nice person. Makes you think. CL can be both good and bad depending where you are. I have had mostly good experiences with the occasional scam here and there.

Dang, that sucks.....and you thought you could trust him because he said he was a military member.  Lesson learned I guess.

 

He was legit military, and rather large and ripped from my research so I didn't go after him.  I figure a guy willing to steal money is willing to do other things, but if the dollar amount was higher I would have pursued.

I wouldn't even do that.  You just can't trust people nowadays.  Especially if you have kids, I wouldn't let anyone know where I live.  I'm glad it's been all good for you though.  Knock on wood........

 

Thanks for the advice.  It can be a risk though!  Most of the buyers of our items are moms and dads with kids in tow though so that "feels" safer.  Nothing is 100% safe though.  There was an article about a year ago that someone was meeting at our local mall to sell and iPad via craigslist and got pepper sprayed, so even public settings isn't perfect.

Considering people are sold as slaves on CL I guess we shouldn't be surprised when someone on there scams us $100.

I have used it a few times already.  Both times I used PayPal to buy, since I asked for the person's personal cell phone number so I could text them back and forth.  Getting their phone number really makes it much more secure, because that can be traced back to them much more easily than an email address.  Anyway, get a cell phone number and I would say you're about 95% in the clear and safe.  If they don't have a cell phone number with texting, then I wouldn't even talk to them. 

Phone numbers don't really mean much. Pay as you Go phones can easily be purchased. I suppose you could technically trace the location, but that isn't much to go off and is way too much trouble. I'd go for an address or some other type of confirmation.

Great finds are to be had on Craigslist. Of course, you'll need to put in time and be quick to jump on the good stuff. And only use cash, in person, no exceptions.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but wanted to notify you guys about this one that I hadn't seen before:

 

Was selling a loose SSD on CL and got this:

From: craigslist reply a27a [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2014 5:04 AM
To: 
Subject: Lego UCS Super Star Destroyer 100% Complete 10221 Star Wars

 

will be back in town on monday after the thanksgiving holiday with my father,  will be able to come and make payment once am back . i need ur cell # - [email protected]

 

                                                         Sent from iPhone 6

 

Looked legit, but I should have checked his email online first. Turns out he is a known scammer and he replied with this:

 

From: Lisaztl Raul [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2014 9:06 AM
To: 
Subject: RE: Lego UCS Super Star Destroyer 100% Complete 10221 Star Wars

 

Thanks for the response, actually now I'm not in town for now, I came to visit my father so i wont be able to meet with you but am ok with the price as seen on the advert, I'll proceed in issuing a Check out to you and when you received the check , I will make arrangement for pick-up. So get back to me with below details asap.

 

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Postal Code:

Cell Phone Number:

Agreed price to sell :

once this is provided the payment will be overnight to you and i will let you know when its mailed out. I need you to be honest with the

sale as I am a God fearing person.   Thanks God Bless You

 

He also flagged my post for removal so he must have a bunch of accounts. I reported him to US-CERT and the FBI since he seems to work in multiple areas. We used to joke on other forums that ending with "God Bless" was a sure sign of a scammer. The flagging thing was new for me though and ticks me off.

You didn't fall for his scam so he retaliates by flagging? Nice.

You didn't fall for his scam so he retaliates by flagging? Nice.

Actually it was only minutes after so my take was that it was so I couldn't sell it to anyone else. I'm going to wait for him to lose interest before reposting.