Help me figure out if I'm being scammed...

[The Night Owl]

So, long story short... I'm selling a somewhat valuable musical instrument via Craigslist. Someone emailed me yesterday asking if the instrument is still available. He also asked if the mode of payment is negotiable (1st red flag, right?). So, I emailed back with my cell number so the interested party could call and set up a time to come see and try out the instrument. In the next message I got, the interested party told me to send him me "details" so he could cut me a check and that after the check clears he would send his "agent" to pick up the instrument (2nd red flag, right?). Who buys an expensive musical instrument without trying it out or even seeing it? What is the angle here?

[Renew Deal]

1. Sounds like a scam

Ask him to mail you a cashiers check or a money order. You'll gladly transfer the instrument when it clears.

Here's more info: http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/a-craigslist-scam-you-might-fall-for-0/

[The Night Owl]

2. Thanks for that. {EOM}

[hobbit709]

3. Those can be phony too. A month later you find out you've been had.

I only deal locally on CL.

[gmoney]

4. yeah, sounds fishy

In the case of valuable musical equipment (the fact that you own one item implies you own more), you might even consider not meeting interested parties at your home, but either going to them or finding someplace public/safe to meet.

I don't know, one can only be SO paranoid, right?

[Crabby Appleton]

5. scam

see:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams


...........
2. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check

* you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item, or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
* cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for just about anything else of value.
* value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
* banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
* scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

[AggieGal]

6. I acted as my husband's "agent".

Recently, my husband saw a studio rack item he wanted. The price was $260. He took care of contacting the person by e-mail and asking whatever questions to see if it would work for him. My part was to pay (cash) and see that it turned on and would scroll through the sounds. It took faith on our part that when properly hooked up it would work. (It does.)

They were located in another state and agreed to meet me at the airport. That was good since I did not need to get a rental car or pay high shipping fees. Shipping would be high due to extra insurance.

It was easy to find her at the airport and we found a plug to test the item. I paid in $20s I got from the ATM at work. She held them up to the light to look for the security strip. I was not offended since she did not know me.

This worked well since we paid in cash, they were willing to wait until 6 days after posting for pickup/payment and I have flight benefits.