On line sellers/buyers BEWARE!

I recently posted this to craigslist, and thought I'd share it with you zoners!
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I can't believe how corrupt and unfeeling things have gotten here on C/L - no disrespect to the creators and moderators, but the auto responses I get from EVERY single posting is at an all time high. Every new listing I post gets a reply with a lame, spammy, fake offer to buy.

People - make some way to be sure you are communicating with a HUMAN before you answer ANY email in response to a C/L email. Spam is rampant, and so cleverly disguised - keep your identity safe until you are satisfied that you are talking to a real, live person who read your ad and is interested in your gear.

Beware:

"is the item still available"
"I much like to buy your item"
"please consider offer for goods"

All tipoffs of a scammer.

SELLER BEWARE!!!!!!!!
To all the honest buyers, my hat's off to you! I've had great success on C'L ... the trick is to CYA.
(cover your a**)

I get that every time I post something there lately. Always "please give me your direct email so we can communicate". Anonymity is what protects you ..

Yup. The MAJORITY of the replies you'll get from a post are SPAM.
One trick is to write in the post that you'll only respond if theres a phone number in the reply. And even then, there are still sp/cammers....

BE CAREFUL! Don't be naive and think every reply you get is an actual interested buyer.

A common scam is, when you reply to the "buyer", they tell you a story how they cannot actually pick it up but they'll pay extra for shipping, cause their in the army/africa/overseas etc etc etc........ DONT BUY THAT. BE SMART.

I actually bought my Camaro Z28 on CL. Of course I was buying it locally in person. But it worked out great for me and the seller.

I use local CL quite a bit with no problems, but I made the mistake of posting a keyboard on Dallas CL, and got the crap in my mailbox for several months.
DonM

Uncle Dave & All SZ responders,

Thanks for sharing your helpful advice.

I have never done any business on CL and your advice is greatly appreciated.

Ron, in Port St. Lucie, FL

I think when it comes to selling arranger keyboards and associated gear this forum is probably safer for you than anywhere else.