luigi524td

I recently ran an ad for used SUV tires on CL - last time I posted there was for some of my used / spare e32 wheels and the scammers were all over it.

So, I stayed away from that AWFUL on-line selling site for three years. This time - BAM - SAME THING! I marked the email reply as SPAM in my gmail account but think these twisted souls will just keep coming back.

Anyone have any suggestions about wording of an ad on CL to discourage these oddballs?? Or should I just avoid it all together.

Now makes me think that TIME-OUT ROOMS ARE A GOOD THING

wmtodd

Simple... I use CL all the time.

1. Only accept cash and in person transactions.
2. Hide your email address and don't put your number online.
3. If something asks if you "still have your item" just delete it. - State you will erase the add when it is sold.
4. If anything else seems a bit odd, just delete the email and move on.

You're going to get some spam, but it only takes 5 seconds to delete it or make it as spam and delete.

-GLWS!

crypto

+1 @ Most of what wmtodd said. I don't know that I would be too worried about the.. do you still have it messages though.

The ridiculous scam messages are easy to spot. These usually read really funky and involve sending you a cashiers check or some other oddball form of payment. Those are basically a derivative of 419 scams.

The main problem I find with CL is the low ballers and ridiculous offers. That's just part of negotiation process though I suppose. You can say price is firm, cash only, etc and still get e-mails from people wanting to trade their Xbox 360 + some games. The only other advice I have is that if anything feels odd or shady about it.. just move on. Trust your judgment if something doesn't feel right. If you're selling a car.. do not drive more than a few miles to meet someone. People will likely waste your time to get a free test drive.

luigi524td

Thanks for both replies and suggestions - most are common sense for anyone who has offered to sell or is willing to buy on line. It''s just so damn annoying that these :thumbsdown: characters clog up the world wide web ...

customdusty

Every time I get a scam email on CL I reply to them with a link to the Internet Crime center operated in part by the FBI. I'll incorporate a witty comment and sometimes even write a convincing story and bogus link to it. I have some fun with it and all the while I'm doing my part - I even find it an amusing way to vent sometimes. Try it out.

krn530

I havent done it, but whenever my friends get a ridiculously low offer/scammer, they just troll them. They will agree to sell it for 50% of what they posted and then give them an address to some back alley and never show up.

turboawd

the main thing is to not post your email in the ad description.
i rarely get any spammers when i post.

tex_phil

I had a pair of rims I was trying to sell locally, I try every so often since 3 years ago. Nothing but scammers or civic drivers asking if they will fit on their car when I clear state all the offsets

Mihainede85

Just email them back and tell them that you work for the police. It worked for me