Hey All,
I started posting some used equipment on Craig's List (and please,
this is not an attempt to get you to see the ads- I'm not that clever)
and most of the responses I got are from folks that I think are trying
to scam me. I am leaving out names in the event that the person is
legit but if they are not, you may recognize their syntax errors.)

(in response to a unit I am replacing with an upgrade. The first
response came 5 hours after the ad appeared)

Hello
Do you still have this ad up for sale?I prefer it to others i have
seen and i hope it is as described?also do i get a reduction in the
price?

(second response after telling him no to a price reduction)

Thanks for your quick reply and its good to know that the item is
still available.The Price is relatively okay and I hope you are honest
about the present state of the item.A Check would preferably be my
form of payment because i am buying the item for someone and i
understand the Check must clear before you release the item.Also i
would arrange pick up from you by my shipper(my shipper would come
pick up).Please reply me with your following details to mail out a
Check to you immediately and hopefully it should get to you soonest

Name:
Contact Address:
Phone Number:

I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible.

(third response after telling him I prefer to see the buyer face to
face and receive cash)

I understand you but i am only able to pay you through Check because i
am sending it to my son

I reposted that saw and another one that I rebuilt - it was less
expensive than the first. Here are a few more replies;

(for the cheaper bandsaw)

Am really interested in ITEM If the item is still available I will be
paying you with a certified check or money order and I will wait for
the check to clear before sending the shipper to come for the pick up.
Buying and selling of instruments is what I do for living and all i
need to issue the payment is your full name and address to be on the
check. Thanks and get back to me as soon as possible because i need to
move something of this nature to my new customer before 20th of
Nov.Thanks and have a wonderful weekend

(from a different email address but also for the the same saw)

How are you doing? i came across your advert today
concerning the item you posted for sale. am really
interested and this
item is perfectly specification requested by me. i
like to know if the
item is still available and the details of the
present condition and
the last price you are willing to sell it to
me.looking forward
to hear from you ........ thanks stay bless.
Regard

OXXX OXXXXXXXX

(This person replied twice with the same message to both of my ads. I
called the number and got a garbled recording but left no message)

Hello
Just view your advert on craigs web,I am willing to purchase the item
asap.I hope its still avaliable for sales?I will like to know your
last asking price for it and also the present conditions of it?Please
get back to me today via email so that we can proceed further.
You can call my friend phone XXX-XXX-XXXX,we stay together cause i am
deaf.His name is Barry.
Best Regards
TXXX PXXX

(After sending a message to TXXX PXXX explaining that the price and
condition are what's stated in the original ad I got this)

Sounds Good
Thanks for your prompt response to my email,i am okay with your asking
price.I will like to proceed with payment today while my shipping co
will handle the pick up as i have other goods to be picked.I will
informed thier C.E.O to pick the goods altogether, when you must have
gotten your cash at hand.I would have loved to make a cash payment or
mail a check to your home address today but due to the nature of my
business as an aircraft attendant with the fact that i am moving so i
have just my echeck account left to opperate. I am in no rush to pick
up the item till funds are clear at the bank.As there are too many
scams on internet as regards buying and selling with large bogus
account.My mode of payment will be via Electronic Check drawn on .
(Bank Of America).Electronic Cashier checks is fast and secure.You
will probarbly need a business check paper to print and cash or
deposit the check today.The business check paper is sold for $20 at
any stationery store,sta ples or at your local office supply outlet.I
will add the cost of supplies to your asking price with an extra offer
for accepting my mode of payment.I will need your name and address
with valid email address to send the Echeck to your email which you
can print immediately when you must have purchase the supplies at
staples or any stationery store.Kindly delete the advert of this item
if my mode of payment is accepted.I will await your email asap.Read
more about Echeck via www.insticheck.com
Thanks.

(To add to my amusement/frustration OXXX OXXXXXXX sent this after I
told him the same thing)

Im okay with the last asking price of the item and i
will love to be the next owner of it so now i want
you to get back to
me with all this necessary information listed below;
NAME TO BE ON THE CHEQUE
YOUR STATE
YOUR ZIP CODE
YOUR ADDRESS
YOUR OFFICE AND MOBILE PHONE
inorder to
make out the payment and as i have made you to know
that i will be making this payment via certified
cheque
.... And i have a shipping agent who will be incharge
of the item pick- up,So immediately you receive and
cash the cheque you can contact my shipper for pick
up.
Kindly get back to me right now with the necessary
information and pls i want you to consider the item
sold right now and if any other interested buyer
contact you , You should be telling them that it has
You should betelling them that it has been sold to me
....Thanks so much for your
understanding and i hope to deal with you in future.
Warmest Regards

(And lastly, here's a reply from a guy whom I apologized to for taking
a while to get back to him. In the apology I told him I was annoyed
with what I thought were people trying to scam me. This guy's first
response was typed properly and he "seemed" to be straight up. His
second response made me think he's like the others)

Sounds Good.
I want to purchase the item today and pay you via
Electronic Cashier Check drawn from my Bank of America account it is a
real cashiers check after you print it. The check will be sent to you
immediately via email all you need to do is purchase a Business check
paper at any Office depot or stationary store to print the check on
and immediately when you print the check proceed to your Bank to
deposit or Cash it,the Business check paper cost $20 only but i will
offer you $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the
check.The item will be picked up from you by my Company shipper so you
don't have to worry about shipment of the item also I will wait for
you to confirm and clear the check before the shipper come to pickup
the item from you actually I should have handled this myself but i am
not available to do that now i am currently away for my Company
seminar that is why i want you to do this and i will pay you $50 to
purchase the Business check paper to print the check.This is the
fastest and best method of payment because it is instant once you
purchase Business check paper all this process of printing and cashing
of the E-check can be done within 2 hours.
Thanks

This bugs me. Whenever I reply to a CL or Ebay add I often tell the
seller who I am and where I reside(generally, not specifically) and
ask them what mode of payment they want if it is not spelled out in
the ad. Is this the common way to reply in our fast pace society. Am
I old fashioned? (Or are these creeps really trying to rip me off?

My apologies for taking up group space with this stuff but maybe some
of you have seen this and recognize a few familiar "phrases".

That's my little rant, good night.
Marc (Who will be posting
his stuff again and maybe I'll sign up for PayPal before I post)