Suspicious interest on sales

[BrandoCommando]

Anyone else getting interest in purchasing an item from classifieds from very new accounts and then no response? I find it very odd and it seems like a scam or potential robbery setup with how they communicate in the inital message. Am I overthinking this and is anyone else experiencing this? I have got 2 this week. 1 here and 1 on waguns.org

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[Andy54Hawken]

Many people flake out on sales / buys....
Many people also have no common courtesy on the internet / in real life....
Many people are rude and lazy....
Not everything is a scam.

However...
It is always wise to err on the side of caution when dealing with strangers via the internet.
If it feels wrong / reads wrong / has you questioning and not liking answers or not getting answers....
Pass on the sale / buy.
Andy

 

[Stomper]

Many people flake out on sales / buys....
Many people also have no common courtesy on the internet / in real life....
Many people are rude and lazy....
Not everything is a scam.

However...
It is always wise to err on the side of caution when dealing with strangers via the internet.
If it feels wrong / reads wrong / has you questioning and not liking or getting answers....
Pass on the sale / buy.
Andy

Your gut, trust you must.

 

[Camelfilter]

Although I rarely sell anything these days, occasionally I'm interested in buying.

Regardless, one countermeasure I now use is that all communications are on here are via pm. Stated up front.

I never give out a phone #, and I don't want one either.

With today's smart phone & interwebs technology, PM's are almost as as readily accessible as texting. Driving aside.

 

[monkeybutler]

There are many signs of an incompent buyer/seller/trader. There are several types of such folk. They tend to ooze out fairly obviously.

They are all amusing.

 

[joken]

I've had two potential buyers for my truck flake on me. I get a little grumpy when my whole day gets screwed up because to many people, their word is meaningless. My son was selling a pickup and met the potential buyer at a parking lot. The buyer came with two friends. My son was distracted long enough for one of them to pour oil into the radiator expansion tank. They then tried to get him to come way down on the price. He told them to FO and left. He only had one friend with him, and I know my son was armed.

 

[joken]

There are many signs of an incompent buyer/seller/trader. There are several types of such folk. They tend to ooze out fairly obviously.

They are all amusing.

My wife sells a lot on eBay and swears that the people who ask the most questions never make a purchase.

 

[Koda]

Anyone else getting interest in purchasing an item from classifieds from very new accounts and then no response? I find it very odd and it seems like a scam or potential robbery setup with how they communicate in the inital message. Am I overthinking this and is anyone else experiencing this? I have got 2 this week. 1 here and 1 on waguns.org

If they cant communicate properly then thats a red flag, nothing wrong with ghosting someone who cant communicate or doesn't follow up just move on.

 

[monkeybutler]

My wife sells a lot on eBay and swears that the people who ask the most questions never make a purchase.

I suspect that she provides all the pertinent details in her ads, and that the people who question her description are tire-kicking incels. Tell me if i am wrong.

 

[1775usmc]

To rob you or scam you they would have to respond more than once…..

Not everyone is out to get you. And my expectations of humanity is at an all time low. I don't expect anything until cash is exchanged.

 

[CountryGent]

If something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct, and skip the deal. It just ain't worth it. That said, there is an endless parade of fakes, flakes, tire-kickers, and toons one will find whilst engaging in online commerce. Put another way, not all of them are scammers, but rather folks who can't get it together.

 

[gmerkt]

My wife sells a lot on eBay and swears that the people who ask the most questions never make a purchase.

If they ask too many questions, they get blocked as bidders. If they are a pain in the butt before they buy, they are apt to be an even bigger pain in the butt after.

 

[66PonyCar]

"Is it still available?"



I guarantee you will never hear from them again!

 

[CountryGent]

Pretty much whenever I list a firearm for sale, I clearly state "No trades considered at this time". And every, single time, like clockwork, I get at least one (sometimes more) PMs with "Um, eh, any trades considered?" Next time it happens they'll get a screenshot of the page with a big, red circle drawn around the pertinent text.

 

[Belial]

But, but, but Amazon ships for free!!!!

ETA several guys in a row on different sites for different items not understanding they pickup local or pay for shipping.

 

[Alexx1401]

I've had two potential buyers for my truck flake on me. I get a little grumpy when my whole day gets screwed up because to many people, their word is meaningless. My son was selling a pickup and met the potential buyer at a parking lot. The buyer came with two friends. My son was distracted long enough for one of them to pour oil into the radiator expansion tank. They then tried to get him to come way down on the price. He told them to FO and left. He only had one friend with him, and I know my son was armed.

This is sadly just the way it seems to be now. Last two times we sold a car we just let the dealer have it for just this reason. Told Wife each time, yes we could make more than they are offering to sell it ourselves. Each time though I would weigh what I would be willing to take cash, vs what dealer was offering, and then the odds I would have to deal with the no shows from buyers. Was willing to take less to just not deal with idiots. Last few times I was giving something away free I would ask a small amount for it. Buyer would show up, want it, then want to pay. I have told them give it to your favorite charity. I only put a price on it because listing it free would get a parade of people who would claim they wanted it and never show up

 

[spookshack]

I've had at least a few brand new members (scammers) asking about a random gun I don't even own.

 

[gmerkt]

But, but, but Amazon ships for free!!!!

I have yet to find a carrier who will accept packages from me for delivery without compensation. People just don't understand, there is no such thing as "free delivery."

 

[gmerkt]

"Um, eh, any trades considered?"

Likelihood: They've got no money.

Possibility: They've got a rifle with a bulged barrel

My pal Dave used to opine, "The gun show is where a great many broken guns wind up being sold and traded." He might've accurately said, "And a number of stolen ones too."

When I was younger, trading dogs at the gun show was kinda fun. One time, I had a 1937 K98k with a bulged barrel. Another guy had a tired 1917 Kar98a he wanted to swap. We made the trade. The two friends I was with laughed and said, "I don't know who got screwed worse in that one."

 

[RVTECH]

If they cant communicate properly then thats a red flag

Ditto this.

Prior to SB 941 when I was buying, selling and trading a LOT more I 'judged' communication as an indicator as to how serious one was, typically if it was in response to an ad of MINE.

If, during texting the person used single letters as 'words' instead of spelling them this was a biggee with me. Also if a person was reluctant or refused to TALK on the phone that was a deal breaker as well.

Another was when people would offer the strangest items (or literally junk) in trade for guns or gun related items. I certainly didn't criticize them or take offense but simply said no and clarified my intentions as to what I MIGHT be looking for , possibly for PART trade but what I was looking for wasn't in their 'toybox'.