Is this a scam or what?

[David Houck]

I ran a google search on the first sentence in quotes, and your post was the only hit.  Thus, it doesn't appear to be a copy and paste to multiple craigslist listings scam.

[David Houck]

Rereading Kent's post though, if he saw a similar CL response recently, then perhaps my not finding it on a google search may only mean that no one else has yet posted a similar question online.

[jbybj]

Regarding fees, the way I see it, is that I'm paying for a service. I'm paying ebay for a huge potential audience of buyers, and paypal for easy, instantaneous, financial transactions.  
 
Ebay and paypal have facilitated dozens of very gratifying transactions for me, as a buyer and seller, that simply could not have happened through my local rag.
 
Also, there is always a bias towards negative reviews, of anything. 999 out of 1000 people will have a trouble free experience with whatever and not blog or rant about it anywhere. The 1 person who gets hosed will scream their outrage far and wide.

[xlrogue6]

I responded to that inquiry by offering to sell using credit card payment (had bad experience with Paypal, and my CC provider charges much less) and got no further communication. Of course, this is CL we're talking about, and flakes abound, at least in my experience (but it's probably just me!).

[glocke]

Also, there is always a bias towards negative reviews, of anything. 999 out of 1000 people will have a trouble free experience with whatever and not blog or rant about it anywhere. The 1 person who gets hosed will scream their outrage far and wide.
 
Well of course, as would anyone who got hosed for a dollar amount close to $1000.00 U.S.D.  Keep in mind that it is not just me, there are entire websites devoted to posts from people who have gotten scammed with ebay and/or paypal.
 
The ONLY advantage ebay/paypal gives you is the audience.  You are certainly not going to make any money by using ebay/paypal to sell merchandise, the fee structure built into both paypal and ebay makes sure of that.
 
Keep in mind that up to two years ago I was an avid seller on ebay, and was perfectly happy.  All it took was one rip off transaction of a very large dollar amount to stop using it.  A year later I gave it another try, only to find that payment for my item would not be transferred to my bank account until after the buyer said it was ok to do so.  That was enough for me to stop using that method of buying/selling all together.  I lose a large audience for stuff I am trying to sell, but to me the risk of getting ripped off is just too large.
 
Anyone selling expensive items through ebay/paypal, or using paypal to accept money from a potential buyer should be very careful and only go through with transactions with buyers that have 100% positive feedback.  All it takes is one buyer to say  I did not order this or this guy sent an empty box, and you are out whatever money you were paid.

[thumbsup]

I am not a high volume buyer or seller on e bay or any site therefore my bad experience with paypal was luckly minimal.  
If I'd loss a thousand bucks or more my story would probably be a little (hell a lot) more negative also!
 
It's ashame..but a thief will always figure out a way to scam an unsuspecting victim!
 
I do believe buyer or selling on e bay is still pretty safe. You know the fees so you just price your items accordingly.
Selling or buying on this site I would say is very safe!
Craigslist could be a roll of the dice if it's not local pick up!
 
I did purchase an Essence on craigslist last year with no problems...did my homework.
Lucky Me

[crobbins]

Sold the bike today. Had a person come by the house, look at the bike, take it for a quick spin, and hand me the cash. Thats the kind of deal I was looking for. Everyone is happy...

[crobbins]

Here's another email I received today. Different ad on Craigs List. I'm trying to sell some antique surveying transits, tripods,ect.
 
http://ventura.craigslist.org/atq/2527005937.html
 
Hi,thanks for the response on the item but my work schedule is keeping me too busy as i work as an air Hostess for Delta Airline.I would have loved to come in person,but due to the nature of my work. I won't be able to. I wish to let you know that I'm satisfied with the condition. Like I said there's no doubt I'm gonna purchase it. Therefore I want you to consider it sold by withdrawing the advert from Craigslist.org
 
Note: That you will not be responsible for shipping and handling. The shipment will be arrange by my private transporters and mechanic after you receive your payment. Kindly provide me your name and full address where item will be pick up, so i can forward it to the shipping company to calculate the cost of pick up and delivery to my address  thanks...
 
Hope to hear back from you asap.
 
 
 
Best Regard
Mrs.Mary Dobbins

[hydrargyrum]

A google search for Mrs.Mary Dobbins Scam Delta turns up some interesting results.  http://imaginingbetter.com/?p=1894
 
These crooks use the same language so often (and so badly) that it creates a fairly easy set of terms that one can search for.

[crobbins]

Thanks. These crooks are everywhere....