Selling an Item to Someone on Craigslist.

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L

Lola

Long story short... I am selling an item I listed on craigslist. Everything seems on the "straight and narrow"... person buying the item is local to me, spoke with him, did not sound like a Nigerian scammer ;) but still, I am always thinking the worst in the situation.

He said he would have an official/cashiers check for the item and we are meeting in a public place (coffee shop).

My worry is this: is there anything I can do to protect myself from a fake check? Yes, I can tell him I want to hang on to the check before handing over the item, but why would he trust me anymore than I trust them?

I want to be accomodating to him but want to make sure I do not get taken.

Is there anything else you can suggest in this situation to make the transaction easier/as safe as possible for both parties?

UPDATE: Everything was fine. He was just as concerned as I was and it was a smooth transaction. :)
 
minendo

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
Tell him you want cash or a money order. He can get a money order at the post office and it should only cost less than a few dollars.
 
jonks

jonks

Lifer
Feb 7, 2005
13,918
20
81
Cash, or offer to go to the post office/bank with him if he wants to use a money order/cashier's cheque
 
L

Lola

The problem is... I am meeting him in about an hour and left him a message on his phone. He called me back stating he just came from his bank (Chase). I even called a local branch and asked if I could bring the check by to verify that it is real but most branches close at 6pm.

Again, not saying that I should only go on "feeling"... but he did not give me any bad vibes at all.
 
Ns1

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Originally posted by: Lola
The problem is... I am meeting him in about an hour and left him a message on his phone. He called me back stating he just came from his bank (Chase). I even called a local branch and asked if I could bring the check by to verify that it is real but most branches close at 6pm.

Again, not saying that I should only go on "feeling"... but he did not give me any bad vibes at all.
Click to expand...

fuck that shit

meet him at the bank then and cash it in front of his face.

there is absolutely NO REASON for you to go forward with this deal.
 
Capt Caveman

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
Have Iamawiz wait outside of the coffee joint and after the transaction is done, he hit's the guy over the head, takes your item back and both of you jump into your car with stolen plates on it and you take off like a bat out of hell.
 
MotionMan

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
Originally posted by: Lola
The problem is... I am meeting him in about an hour and left him a message on his phone. He called me back stating he just came from his bank (Chase). I even called a local branch and asked if I could bring the check by to verify that it is real but most branches close at 6pm.

Again, not saying that I should only go on "feeling"... but he did not give me any bad vibes at all.
Click to expand...

I do not get why he would want to go through the trouble of going to the bank to get a cashiers check to turn around and hand it right to you moments later for you to have to go right back to a bank to cash it.

Red flags for me.

MotionMan
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
CL = always cash only or money order. I've never sold or bought anything on CL w/o cash, even a Herman Miller Mirra chair.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Personally, the whole thing is a red flag to me. Email pulls up nothing, phone number is a cell phone in DETROIT (!!), name pulls up nothing, no Myspace...


 
Baked

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
Pistol w/ extended clip behind your back, 6 shooter around your ankle. Wear a leather jacket.
 
B

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
13,346
0
0
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Originally posted by: Lola
The problem is... I am meeting him in about an hour and left him a message on his phone. He called me back stating he just came from his bank (Chase). I even called a local branch and asked if I could bring the check by to verify that it is real but most branches close at 6pm.

Again, not saying that I should only go on "feeling"... but he did not give me any bad vibes at all.
Click to expand...

I do not get why he would want to go through the trouble of going to the bank to get a cashiers check to turn around and hand it right to you moments later for you to have to go right back to a bank to cash it.

Red flags for me.

MotionMan
Click to expand...

Depending on the amount, better than bringing a grand in cash to a stranger. He has the same concerns. If they steal the cash, he's stuck. But if they steal the check they have to cash it somehow...

If its from Citibank and you get the info from his license (and he's local to you), your risk is pretty low. Most of the CL scams involve 'mail me money and I promise xyz...."
 
L

Lola

Originally posted by: bsobel
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Originally posted by: Lola
The problem is... I am meeting him in about an hour and left him a message on his phone. He called me back stating he just came from his bank (Chase). I even called a local branch and asked if I could bring the check by to verify that it is real but most branches close at 6pm.

Again, not saying that I should only go on "feeling"... but he did not give me any bad vibes at all.
Click to expand...

I do not get why he would want to go through the trouble of going to the bank to get a cashiers check to turn around and hand it right to you moments later for you to have to go right back to a bank to cash it.

Red flags for me.

MotionMan
Click to expand...

Depending on the amount, better than bringing a grand in cash to a stranger. He has the same concerns. If they steal the cash, he's stuck. But if they steal the check they have to cash it somehow...

If its from Citibank and you get the info from his license (and he's local to you), your risk is pretty low. Most of the CL scams involve 'mail me money and I promise xyz...."
Click to expand...

Those were my thoughts as well. I try to be a "postitive" person and see both sides.

I think I am going to ask him to meet me at a local bank branch and I am going to cash it right there.
 
MotionMan

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
Originally posted by: bsobel
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Originally posted by: Lola
The problem is... I am meeting him in about an hour and left him a message on his phone. He called me back stating he just came from his bank (Chase). I even called a local branch and asked if I could bring the check by to verify that it is real but most branches close at 6pm.

Again, not saying that I should only go on "feeling"... but he did not give me any bad vibes at all.
Click to expand...

I do not get why he would want to go through the trouble of going to the bank to get a cashiers check to turn around and hand it right to you moments later for you to have to go right back to a bank to cash it.

Red flags for me.

MotionMan
Click to expand...

Depending on the amount, better than bringing a grand in cash to a stranger. He has the same concerns. If they steal the cash, he's stuck. But if they steal the check they have to cash it somehow...
Click to expand...

That is why you meet in a public place in the first place, IMO.

(Actually, the place I usually meet CL people is near a place that will cash checks, after taking a small fee, no questions asked. It is very out of place since it is actually a pretty nice neighborhood.)

MotionMan
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Well, he agreed to meet at a local branch... we shall see

Hopefully you guys won't get goosed ;)
 
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