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Craigslist is this a new game?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Joe, Oct 2, 2012.

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  1. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    We have used Craig's List a lot over the last ~7 years to buy and sell a bunch of stuff. Bookcases, patio set, snowblower, lawnmower, DVD player etc.

    There seems to be a new trend that when you post an ad, you get several emails asking if the item is still available. We reply yes and they ask when they can see it? Never hear from them again?

    Is this like a teen game on the internet?

    I'm not stupid when it comes to Craig's List and take precautions and not posting a phone number. But, I'm talking about things priced under $100 and even down to $15.

    It's not like I'm trying to sell a car for a couple of thousand dollars.

    Just wondering if anybody else had had the same experiences? I'm still a fan of Craig's but I have lowered my expectations a great deal when I am trying to sell an item and get one of these email replies.
     
  2. Vegascash2

    Vegascash2 Tourist

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    Happens to me also.... I think when you reply, they will then gave your email for spam purposes
     
  3. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    You are correct.
     
  4. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    I do have one email account (that I use for Craig's) that is strictly for contests and things like that.
     
  5. weluvvegas

    weluvvegas Casino Countess

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    There are a ton of spammers on Craigslist. Both posting and responding to posts.

    Once I saw a listing for a huge house in my neighborhood for "rent" for a really low price and I knew that it couldn't be on the level. I responded to the ad just to see what they would say and there was all this bullsh** about how they were the owners but out of the country doing mission work and wanted you to fill out an application before being able to see the inside of the house, yada yada.... I drove by the house and it was not for rent obviously. Doing some research I found out that this is a common scam to try and obtain personal information.

    Unbelieveable the lengths some people will go to be dishonest.
     
  6. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    Many times they ask if its available and when you reply they now have a valid email address for spamming.

    I never use my email and only use my phone number.

    If they are interested the call or text.

    Cuts down on all the spam. i have never sold something with email but always sell my items with text or calling.

    I mean realistically, my number is in the phone book, my email is not. So I would rather protect my email.
     
  7. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    That's why I have multiple email addresses. Easy to scan through the spam account and just hit delete all.
     
  8. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    If they ask when they can see it, they may be checking to see what times you are home and what times you are away.
     
  9. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    I actually DON'T put my phone number in a Craigslist ad. I get too much junk phone calls as is. When you put your phone number anywhere online that makes it all too easy for automated bots to grab, catalog, and use it for telemarketing. If I ever need to put a number in an ad, I put it in a small JPG and post the picture along with the ad. That makes it readable by a human but not by bots.

    Here's another common Craigslist scam that I've seen. You will get an email saying they are interested in your item and will FedEx you a cashier’s check. However they will go on to say that the Cashier’s check is in excess of the cost of the item. In exchange for your trouble you can keep part of it and return the rest in cash to the individual who comes to pick up your item (I know it sounds crazy and makes your BS radar go off right away but apparently some people fall for it). The crux of it is that the check is a fake/forgery, it will bounce and then be deducted from your account (but not before they pickup the item) and you will be out whatever cash you gave them as well as the item you were selling.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2012
  10. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    count me among the people who use an email account almost exclusively for CL purposes.

    i sell a few different things during the year via CL. sometimes it's tickets for a season event that i get free every year. sometimes it's delta drink coupons.

    i laugh when i post an ad and 30 minutes later i get a simple "still available?" email. i don't respond to those. since i'm good about pulling my ad when i am done selling, i post in my ad that "if you see this ad, it means the tickets are still available." if that ain't enough to discourage somebody from sending a "still available," then i know it's not a legitimate request.

    thanks for the 411 on phone numbers. i get people who respond by email with a phone number immediately, and i thought that was crazy, but i guess there's a method to that madness. i will call someone when i sense it's a legit response and i'm in a hurry to move tickets (such as Minnesota Twins tickets i was lucky to unload a few weeks ago), but otherwise i'd rather correspond by email until it's necessary to communicate by phone.
     
  11. kel3420

    kel3420 VIP Whale

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    I buy a lot of items on CL for rental houses I own. The FIRST email I send always ask if the item is still available. I won't call phone numbers listed. So those if you that don't respond may be losing out on many potential sales
     
  12. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    that is true, but when all i get is an email that says "still available?" i don't care if it's legit. 99% of the time it won't be. if there's a "still available" question with other info, then i know it's a legit response.
     
  13. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    Like with anything the devil is in the details. The same goes for spam email and many other offers out there you have to learn to read between the lines. When the email refers to your ad in very generic terms and could be used when replying to just about any ad then there is a reason: Because it is. If the email just said "is the item still available" or some other form of generic language that doesn't indicated in any way that it is about your specific ad that's because its being blasted out to several ads in an effort to accumulate responses and grab info.

    On a realted note be careful of the one step removed from this: a response that could be generic except for the fact that it inserts the headline of your ad into an otherwise form letter. I.E. when you get "Is your !!!new couch cheap!!! still available?" that's also an auto generated email.
     
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