Anatomy of a Craig's List Deal Going Sideways

[Gone in 60]

So, this morning I got bored waiting for my turn to talk during the weekly conference call, and was cruising Craig's List as I like to do. Found an oddly good deal on a Honda that would be a great starter bike for Mrs. Gone. Mind you, we haven't gotten past the "I think I might want to think about riding" phase.

I text her the listing, and she asks a bunch of questions - would it fit in the garage, what would the insurance and annual registration cost, etc. I tell her everything will be so cheap, we wouldn't even notice, of course. She sounded hesitant, but said that if it was such a great deal, that I should at least investigate it.

What made it particularly attractive was that it was within fifteen minutes of my office, so it wouldn't be a huge time-suck to at least go look at it. The ad said it ran perfectly, had a clean title, and current registration.

Conversation 1:
Ad says it runs perfectly. Is that true?
Well, we lost the keys...
When did it last run?
About two years ago.
Ok, let me think.

Conversation 2:
We found the keys!
Huh.
And it runs perfectly!
Hasn't started in two years, but it runs perfectly?
Yes!

Conversation 3:
I'd like to at least come look at it, if that's ok.
Well, now that we have the keys, we're only entertaining serious people who are willing to pay full cash price. No discounts!
I'm a serious buyer if, like your ad says, the title is clean, and the registration is current.
Well... it's so old that it's probably out of the system by now, I think. Let me go look to see if I have the paperwork, and I'll call you back.
By the way, are you bringing a truck?
Why do I need a truck if it runs perfectly and is registered?

...Ya know what, don't bother. Thanks anyway!

[GoldOxide_imp]

... and when you bring the truck, bring a few plastic bins too.

[Cormanus]

Brilliant, Gone. Thanks for sharing.

[LongRanger_imp]

Arguing the price is the last thing a seller should do, not the first.

I sometimes respond to CL ads for mildly-customized HD’s. The first thing I ask is if they still have the stock exhaust. Invariably, the answer is “no,” followed by “WTH would you want it?!” End of conversation.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Arguing price is the last thing the BUYER should do.

I won't even answer someone that tries to lowball as part of their first email.

Ask questions sure... but if you are a serious buyer- come look at the product- talk price once the small talk is done.

And yea- I got rid of my stock exhaust on pretty much anything I've ever had.

[Gone in 60]

HaHa! So, I told my wife I'd be withdrawing the cash, but then texted her shortly afterwards and said that I got a bad vibe and put the money back in the bank.

She just now texted me: "Nothing bad happened, right?! Nobody touched you, right?!"

[KiowaEagle_imp]

At least they didn't waste your time going to look at it.

[Phadreus_imp]

It is getting so hard these days to sell things on CL. There are so many scammers trying to get your personal info, it becomes pretty risking for the seller.

We listed our BMW X5 on CL about a year ago, had the listing up for 3 days and every person that reached out asked us for Mobile number, address and bank name so they could prepare to send us a check. We gave none of that info out, and on day three our bank called asking about suspicious activity with our bank account. When my wife told the bank we were trying to sell a car on CL, the bank rep said "Oh honey, you need to take that add down. We've deflected six individual attempts to access your account. People are finding your personal info somehow through the add." Add came down, and hack attempts stopped immediately.

We had three people claim they wanted to send us a check immediately if we could deliver the car through their preferred delivery service. WTH?

It's crazy how much this stuff happens...

[pdedse]

I must be getting lucky...I've sold four motorcycles via CL and bought three, have sold and bought some other items the last few years. If I recall right, no red flags, just straightforward questions, reasonable "will you take $___ for it?" offers, and either I counter with an in-between number or accept their offer. I think there were a couple of "no-shows", but no big deal. Everything I've tried to sell has sold within a week, prolly because I think I start with attractive, fair prices. But good to be reminded to keep your wits about you.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I have experienced the "write cheque item unseen" a few times. That is the first flags and I always terminate the communication. Commonsense for a used motorcycle shopper is, " ... let me see the goods first ... ", and then the invariable, " ... can I test ride." But I digress.

I believe we collectively here at the CB1100 Forum have shared enough experience to help thwart future attempts of fraud. Let's keep sharing.

Finally, I usually exhale and emotionally become vacuous when the other ends asks, " ... and so what is the lowest you will go?" (really, unbelievable)