Does this guy sound like a scammer?

tedkennedy · 10-27-2009, 09:08 AM

I posted a painting I bought at an estate sale on craigs list. I am trying to sell it for about 900-1100 dollars, there is a good chance it is worth more than that but i know nothing about art and Im happy to just quickly flip it for 3 times what i paid.

Anyway, soon after posting the painting I get this message from a guy named "jack johnson":
"STILL AVAILABLE? GET BACK TO ME ASAP IF YOU ACCEPT CHECK!"

I respond saying yeah its still available but for security reasons I only accept paypal or local pickup with cash and if i did accept a check I would have to wait until it clears before the buyer would get the painting.

he responds:

"Hello,
Great to hear that its still very much available. i need it before next week as a SURPRISE GIFT for my Mum on her birthday,i would like to have it paid for by cashier check so please let me know if its ok and let me have your full name and address so that i canarrangement for it as soon as possible and Coming over will not be possible taking my job into consideration,bear with me please.

Thanks"

I dunno, the guy wreaks of a scam to me. Gift for mum? Coincidental excuse why he can not pick it up? Sense of urgency to complete the deal? And why would he not be able to very simply set up a paypal account so that the deal is more secure for both of us?

With all the scams and fucked up people on craigslist I am a little concerned about even giving this guy my address. Much less accepting a cashiers check from him that has a high chance of ending up fraudulent and would take at least a couple weeks to find out whether or not it is fraudulent

What do you guys think?

№1 · 10-27-2009, 09:27 AM

Cashiers checks are FAKE!

It will also come with instructions that he was paid by someone else an amount greater than the cost but it is a cashiers check so you could deposit it into your account and wire him the difference between the amount and the 'value' of the check. It will take about a week, week and a half and then your bank will inform you that the check is indeed fake and you are now out the money you wired the Nigerian as well as the fees and all the other shit that will happen because you now have NO money in your account and all your outstanding checks have bounced.

Every ad I have ever placed on CL plainly states 'LOCAL BUYER - NO CHECKS - NO DONATIONS'

Have some fun, set it up, have him send you the check and pin it on your wall next to the painting.

www.419eater.com

SmokeSomeDoja · 10-27-2009, 09:33 AM

yea, dont do it dude, sounds like a scam.

tedkennedy · 10-27-2009, 09:38 AM

werd werd, yea i am definetly not following through with that guy.

guess ill try posting the painting on ebay... will have like 15 percent of the money taken by fees but oh wel

№1 · 10-27-2009, 10:13 AM

Craigslist is a good resource for selling shit, alot of people are looking there for the bargain of a lifetime so don't write it off just yet, you seem like a smart guy Ted I don't suspect you'll get scammed. Stick to your guns, local buyer/pick up and reputable, reliable payment methods only.

Tricto · 10-27-2009, 10:20 AM

Looks like you've made up your mind but what hurt is one more perspective, i was just reading your post and it sounds pretty fishy to me as well. If he can't pick it up, he should have someone trustworthy do it for him if it's that important, which it sounds like it is to him.

What i'm thinking is, if the painting is worth that much (i don't know about paintings or how you priced it), and someone has already shown interest, i think odds are good someone else will want it too.
Good luck

Mafoo · 10-27-2009, 10:48 AM

just search nigerian scams and see if that is a known one.

Flamingnun · 10-27-2009, 11:06 AM

Are you just giving the piece a 300% price increase for lulz/to see if anyone actually buys it, or did you just manage to get it cheap to begin with?

SmokeSomeDoja · 10-27-2009, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Flamingnun

Are you just giving the piece a 300% price increase for lulz/to see if anyone actually buys it, or did you just manage to get it cheap to begin with?

he bought it cheap at an estate sale, hes selling it for about 3 times what he paid, which may or may not be retail market value.

Flamingnun · 10-27-2009, 11:35 AM

Ah, I need to get me to an estate sale.

№1 · 10-27-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Flamingnun

Ah, I need to get me to an estate sale.

Yeah, you just might...

tedkennedy · 10-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Flamingnun

Are you just giving the piece a 300% price increase for lulz/to see if anyone actually buys it, or did you just manage to get it cheap to begin with?

i go garage saling every weekend, i regularly buy shit for dirt cheap and sell it for 10x what i payed or more on ebay.

i saw the painting at an estate sale at some rich guys house, went home, researched the artist and found that some of his works are selling for at least a grand so went back and paid 240. even if i cant sell it, its still a really nice painting and i wouldnt mind having it around for a while. There is no d oubt i my mind that it is at least worth what i paid for it and 800-1000 is probably fair price. i see it as an investment.

hijabihippie · 10-28-2009, 08:32 AM

Sounds like a scam to me. Don't do it. Better safe than sorry.