Does this sound like "spam"

[Tikitoi]

Talking about on Craigslist. I had an item posted already. I got an inquiry about it asking if it was still available and a couple other questions about it. So I replied yes and answered. They then asked for a picture, so I sent. They did say they wanted it but haven't moved to their new house yet so can't get it for a couple weeks. So then they said they'd be willing to give me half the money in a paypal acct or check. I always say cash only. They said they live about 45 mins away, I told them I'd be willing to meet some of the way.Just not sure what to think.(I put this over here, because I know there was another recent post about CL).Should I accept the check, at least?

 

[NYCDiane]

Craigs List is always "iffy" with me.... Many too many scammers on there for me.

I would tell them you will take a cash only NON REFUNDABLE deposit and you'll give a receipt but that they MUST pay for it in full and pick it up by "X" date or they will forfeit their deposit. You can outline this in your receipt/contract with them. (you have to have some protection since you'll be holding it for them for a few weeks and what if they change their mind at the last minute?)

PS: I think you meant "scam" not "spam"

 

[pyrxtc]

well, if they are asking you to hold onto it and giving you money to do that then I don't smell scam. By the time they are ready to pick up, you will hvae the money from the cashed check or ahve been able to wihtdraw the money from your paypal acct.

 

[brios86]

There are scams out there where people send you big checks, you deposit them and they get your acct number on the back of the check or at least I think thats the point... Not really sure.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Since they are offering Paypal, it might not be spam and they are probably moving at the end of the month. We had a guy buying a bedroom set and couldn't get into the apartment until the 1st of the month. We actually took a check since it was drawn on a bank up the street and we had two weeks until he was to pick it up. He actually had to trust us that we would hold the set for him!

Have you actually spoken to them on the phone? A scammer probably wouldn't take the time to email for more pics, talk on the phone, etc... Ask them what bank it is drawn on, if you can cash it locally at their bank (and not yours) it might not be spam. If you end up taking Paypal, make them cover the fees since you said cash-only.

Most of the spam I get is the person offers to buy it w/o asking any questions and they say 'my secretary is sending a check and I will have the movers pick it up.'

 

[rflorek]

Since they are offering Paypal, it might not be spam and they are probably moving at the end of the month. We had a guy buying a bedroom set and couldn't get into the apartment until the 1st of the month. We actually took a check since it was drawn on a bank up the street and we had two weeks until he was to pick it up. He actually had to trust us that we would hold the set for him!

Have you actually spoken to them on the phone? A scammer probably wouldn't take the time to email for more pics, talk on the phone, etc... Ask them what bank it is drawn on, if you can cash it locally at their bank (and not yours) it might not be spam. If you end up taking Paypal, make them cover the fees since you said cash-only.

Most of the spam I get is the person offers to buy it w/o asking any questions and they say 'my secretary is sending a check and I will have the movers pick it up.'

Just because it's Paypal doesn't mean it's not a scam. They can eaily cancel the payment after receiving the goods. They could send the money through Paypal as an e-check and it can be cancelled for insufficient funds. The payment can be cancelled long after the transaction is completed by Paypal if the credit card they pay with is stolen.

Cash only, meet in a neutral, safe location, insist on full pre-payment to hold the item.

Good luck!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I agree - NO paypal or checks. They could pay you with Paypal, get the item, then put in a dispute. From a seller standpoint, you will never win. Especially if you can't really prove they got the item - no shipping receipt.

A lot of people think money orders and cashiers checks are safe - not so. You can put a stop payment on one just as easily (and actually much cheaper) than on a personal check. OR, they can be stolen.

Cash only, your terms, or move onto the next sale.

 

[dogodisney]

You could always ask for a money order or cashier's check. That way you don't have to worry about it bouncing or them cancelling check/paypal payment on you.

 

[Floridagal23]

I personally would not meet anyone farther than a few minutes from my home, especially with a large or expensive item.

1) You're unfamiliar with the area and you have no idea what could happen
2) You risk them not showing up (which you risk anyway, but this is mitigated if you're only a few min away from home)

I had enough people not show up to my apartment complex lobby or the local barnes and nobles that I am over it!

 

[Tikitoi]

Thank you all for the many good ideas and tips. I'm thinking at least if I did take a check or M.O., it's not like he's getting anything so I would still have my stuff. But good idea about the bank info and to be able to cash at his. Also good idea about PIF since wants me to hold for couple weeks. As well as the non refundable part. I had mentioned giving a receipt but will put a pick up date on it and mention forfeit of funds. I did give my tele # but we kept corresponding by em throughtout the evening. The meetiing place I mentioned to him would be a Walmart that is about 10 mins from me. And yes, I prob did mean scam not spam. Just not sure how to word all these "terms".

 

[ceecee]

You could always ask for a money order or cashier's check. That way you don't have to worry about it bouncing or them cancelling check/paypal payment on you.

It would be just as easy for them to get cash! Stick to the cash only!

 

[NYCDiane]

Since they are offering Paypal, it might not be spam

Keep in mind that a PayPal payment can be reversed by the buyer just like a credit card payment.

 

[NYCDiane]

Also, if you decide to go through with the deal with this person, make sure he signs a paper saying he's received the item in good condition on "X" date and take pics of the item before giving it to him (you can include that day's newspaper just to clarify the date).

Sorry to be so technical about this whole thing but you've got to be careful! (and watch The People's Court!)

 

[horseshowmom]

I would tell them you will take a cash only NON REFUNDABLE deposit and you'll give a receipt but that they MUST pay for it in full and pick it up by "X" date or they will forfeit their deposit. You can outline this in your receipt/contract with them. (you have to have some protection since you'll be holding it for them for a few weeks and what if they change their mind at the last minute?)

My mother once sold a bedroom set to a woman who asked if she could wait two weeks to pick it up. It wound up being several months with her regularly moving the date. I think it wound up being close to a year before she finally got it. While my mother had been paid in full, she hadn't planned on being a storage facility or having to fool with the woman for that long. After that experience, I agree with the NR deposit and pick up date!