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View Full Version : Buying a car on Craigslist


Parkbandit
05-21-2010, 05:49 PM
ok, WHAT THE MOTHER FUCK!?

I think I'm being scammed but can't really prove it. I have found 2 vehicles in the past 4 days of looking that seem too good to be true. A 2007 Ford for $3200 and a 2005 Camry for $2900. Both with low milage and both supposedly in great shape, only highway miles by a little old lady, etc...

I respond to the ads asking if I can come and see the vehicles (they are both local).. here are the responses:

Hello,

2005 Toyota Camry XLE is in great shape.This car has never had any accident. It was always garaged and never smoked in. Never been damaged. It has no scratches, dents or something like that. No mechanical or electrical problems, no accidents. Clean title in hand. It does not need anything additional to function, 52,005 miles. The VIN# 4T1BF30K65U087912 . I work in the army and i got divorced so i don't need the car anymore because was my wife's car.I want the deal closed only through eBay's Buyer Protection Program in order for you to be 100% protected.You will make the payment to eBay and they will hold the money until you receive the car. ONLY AFTER you receive the car and inspect it (for 10 days) eBay will release the payment to me, this way we are both protected.
The last price is 2900$.

Here are more pictures: http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/ody007/camry/

Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy, and include in your e-mail your full name(first middle and last name) and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive all the transaction, payment and shipping details from them.


Thank you and have a nice day,

Cpt . Patrick Brown





Thank you for being interested in buying my 2007 FORD FUSION SE, 55,324 miles, Transmission: Automatic, VIN: 3FAHP07Z57R180529.
It is in EXCELLENT condition; the body and paint are great, no scratches and no dents; the interior is clean; it has never been involved in an accident; comes with all the documents needed for registration and clear title.
My final price on it is US $3,200. It is priced to sell fast !
My husband died one month ago and I decided to move closer to my parents(they are very old) in Canada and the car is here with me. As I am unable to travel in the near future and having no one to help me with the sale I decided to make this transaction through eBay. I believe this protects both buyer and seller and it's the right way to do this.
So don't get me wrong and don't take it personally but I would prefer to secure the deal through eBay. Also because the car will be shipped from Canada to US I prefer to work with a third party in order to keep the both of us safe in this deal. I will be assured you will buy the car and you will be assured that you will receive it! Basically the money will be sent to them and they will keep the money until you receive the car and only after you inspect and drive it they will forward the money to me.

If you have other questions feel free to email.
Thank you!
Nicola Roft.



OK.. how are they able to scam me, because I can't figure it out.

PS - I googled "Nicola Roft" and found that she ran the same exact ad for another vehicle as well.
Soulpieced
05-21-2010, 05:53 PM
Scams. Typically you should get a 1 or 2 sentence response saying thanks for the interest, my address is X, please come take a look. P.S. bring cash.
Soulpieced
05-21-2010, 05:55 PM
Plus, if the prices seem too low to be true, they are scams.
Asrial
05-21-2010, 05:56 PM
I don't know but there's so many warnings popping off reading those two responses.

1) They included way too much info.. unless you specifically asked why it was being sold for the amount it was being sold for.

2) They didn't mention anything about "yes, come take a look at the car.. this time works for me.."

3) The wording used. It has that taste of "this is a scam but I'm a pro at this and so cleverly trying to make it appear real.."

The only thing I can think of (I'm not an eBay expert) is that you DON'T get the car and they somehow get the money because eBay doesn't have the protection they're talking about.
Parkbandit
05-21-2010, 05:58 PM
Plus, if the prices seem too low to be true, they are scams.

Yea.. that is what raised the red flag.. both are very low prices.

But I don't understand HOW they are scamming. Ebay does in fact have such a service... how are they able to get the money from me without delivering a vehicle?
TheEschaton
05-21-2010, 05:58 PM
The first might be legit, but the second reeks of scam. The first guy didn't give an excuse for not coming to see the car yourself, it sounds more like he assumed you're not local and wanted it shipped? I think further clarification might work on that one.
Parkbandit
05-21-2010, 06:02 PM
The first might be legit, but the second reeks of scam. The first guy didn't give an excuse for not coming to see the car yourself, it sounds more like he assumed you're not local and wanted it shipped? I think further clarification might work on that one.

No.. my first email to him specifically stated that I'm also in the Tampa area and I would like to arrange a time and place to see the vehicle. Neither was posted on Ebay.. so not sure how they figure into this.
LMingrone
05-21-2010, 06:03 PM
I've bought cars on Craigslist before. All worked out fine . But you have to watch out. I always ask for a phone number so I can call them directly. If they are really looking to get rid of something, ask them to take a picture of some obscure thing. Usually, within thirty seconds of being on the phone, you'll be able to tell if the person is a fraud.

It's always worth asking about though. I've found some very good deals on Craigslist.
Jorddyn
05-21-2010, 06:12 PM
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_the_Craigslist_and_eBay_car_scam_work
Parkbandit
05-21-2010, 06:21 PM
Nice link. Thanks!
Kuyuk
05-21-2010, 09:26 PM
I bought a car on craigslist. Was awesome. ex-wife has it, and is trying to get me to pay for new brakes and ball bearing and I lol'd at her.
Sylvan Dreams
05-21-2010, 10:01 PM
No.. my first email to him specifically stated that I'm also in the Tampa area and I would like to arrange a time and place to see the vehicle. Neither was posted on Ebay.. so not sure how they figure into this.

I was wondering this too, until I saw that the scam email makes you send money through wire transfer. I know eBay goes through escrow.com, so that would have been the red flag to me.