Possible Craigslist Scam - I think I almost got robbed.

I've been stalking CL for a waterproof camera I can keep on a the kayak - something decent, but nothing I would mind losing.  Yesterday this ad showed up offering an Olympus 1030 SW, which is a bad-ass camera, for $60.  Now this is a $350 camera new, and the cheapest I saw it used was $240 -4X this asking price, so needless to say my spider-sense started tingling right away.  There was(is) a cell phone # in the ad, which is the first and only sign it's not a total scam, so I text the # and ask if it's available.  Several messages later, and after being assured it is in fine working order, all the parts are there, and this person just doesn't use it, I agree to come inspect the merchandise. 

At this point I see 4 possible scenarios - 1 good, 1 not so good, and two bad.

1. This person just doesn't know or care about the actual value of what they are offering.  Seems unlikely they are capable of posting on CL and not price checking Amazon though...

2. This camera is stolen and whatever drug of choice this person needs, $60 will sort them out.  I'm not crazy about the idea of getting stolen merchandise, because I don't want to profit on someone's misfortune, and I do not need that kind of mojo in my life, but it's something I can probably rationalize in the absence of certainty about it's origin.  If I get there and they say, don't register it, it's stolen, I'll say have a nice day and good luck, but outside of that - hey, someone's gonna buy it.  I'm human, what can I say.

3. This camera doesn't work and I will be unable to determine that in a cursory inspection.  Again it seems unlikely - at such a discount, you could easily say, "Hey here is a bad ass camera, but it wont sync to my computer - not sure if you can make it work, but for $60 why not try?" As a gambler, I'll wager $60 to win $240 all day, everyday.

4. I'm getting robbed.  The cell phone and meeting place tend to make it difficult to imagine these people are stupid enough to have that as a plan, but you just never know and can never be too careful.

This person texts me the address of an apartment complex WAY THE F- OUT near Gerber and Bradshaw, so I go home, empty my car of valuables, put exactly $65 (revised asking price) in my pocket, pick up one of my most formidable looking friends
and drive to the middle of nowhere.

When we finally get there, I call the phone and inform a girl who answers that I am parked in front near the office, to which she replies, “Great, I’ll be right out”

Mike and I step out of the car, brows furrowed and arms crossed, but flush with optimism that we may be dealing with a young girl.  Mike takes a phone call, but continues to look formidable.

... 5 solid minutes...

I don’t want to profile or make any assumptions, but a menacing looking man in casual clothing came towards us briefly on a cell phone, appeared to size us up, turned hard right and disappeared into the maze of apartments.

Literally 30 seconds later I got the following text message:
“I’m sorry unfortunately the owner doesn’t want to sell the camera anymore I’m so sorry for the inconvenience”

I fought my instincts to begin a debate as it was clear, not getting mugged was a better outcome than getting a great deal no a camera.

As of this morning, the camera is still listed on craigslist here
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/2027196987.html

and here
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/2027192933.html

Needless to say, DON'T mess with this posting and remember, if it's too good to be true... take a big friend with you.

Good to know my instincts are intact.

F*ck....glad it worked out the way it did and that the guy didn't pull out a gun and demand your $$!!

 

Thanks for sharing so that we can all avoid that ad, and once again, glad you are OK.

Sincerely,

Jim

That's some freaky shi$!.  I'm a big follower of CL and have found some great scores on there, but you're right to follow those spidy senses...and bring another set of eyes if it seems fuzzy.

freaky, i hate people like that... good call bringing your homie with you!

You could also post a CL reply, warning others about the post.

Good call on bringing your buddy.

I've bought a ton of stuff from craigs without any issues.  For small stuff like that I always meet in public spots with plenty of people around, its better for both parties.

 Thanks for posting! We can all learn from this experience.

Thanks for sharing your experience Anthony.  I would post this info on Craiglist to warn others.  You could save someone from getting rob or worse...

Thanks for posting! We can all learn from this experience.

+1, thanks for sharing!

I would post this info on Craiglist to warn others.  You could save someone from getting rob or worse...

Agreed.  I reported the incident to Craigslist, but elected not to post a reply post because initially, I emailed and texted my interest simultaneously, so these people have my work email, which means they have my website, with my bio etc... I decided it was better to be discreet and hope CL can handle it without potentially starting a war with people who now know how to find me.

Again, you can't be too cautious.

A

I'm glad it worked out ok.

Sometimes it's good to be reminded that there are people who all day do nothing but think of ways to screw people over.

Sometimes it's good to be reminded that there are people who all day do nothing but think of ways to screw people over.

+1...sad but true...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I'm glad it worked out ok.

Sometimes it's good to be reminded that there are people who all day do nothing but think of ways to screw people over.

sorry, sorry in advance

I may be not following. But maybe they were legitimate and the seller thought you and your buddy were going to rob them. Put the shoe on the other foot. Two dudes show up and look like bad assessing knowing you have a nice camera. That is why I try and actually talk to a live person when dealing with CL posts.

Like I said sorry if I misread the post

When I buy something from Craiglist (mostly fishing gears) I told them I want to meet in a public place like McDonald or somewhere that I know they have a surveillance camera so it will make both buyer & seller more comfortable.