How strange is this

We have a portable dishwasher for sale. The phone rings and I hear Dan saying things like he's on a walkie talkie. Some guy uses a net operator and she is reading as this guy types. He gives his email and wants details on the washer. I'm asking what details, in the ad it got price our home phone. So I went to th garage and took some pictures and took measurements and emailed them.
Next I get an email back with instructions like this guy is buying an antique car. Wanted a list of things, mailing address, all ph, no.'s acceptance of his offer, final price and age, well that one tore it.
There were instructions about contacting his shipper, he would pay us extra to pay them, through western union. There was a lot more to it, I was dumbfounded to say the least. I emailed him back saying we were not comfortable giving out personal info, thanked him for his interest.
I am racking my brain trying to think what the hook is. Surely he isn't laundering money 100 bucks at a time. Has me baffled, any thoughts ?

 

I had exactly the same when I was in the UK and about to emigrate. Was selling all sorts of stuff through different forums and Ebay. I had a 3 bedroom tent up on a camping site for about 150 UK pounds. I got an email from some guy in the USA wanted to buy it and pay me through Western Union.

That got me suspicious enough. My first thought was "don't they have tents in the US?". This thing is heavy with a full ground sheet...to mail it would have cost a packet. I emailed him backa few details he asked about the tent.

The next email I got was how he was waiting for some check to come through and would have it mailed directly to me to pay for it. It was something like $20,000 and I only wanted about $300!!! He wanted me to send him the tent and the difference back in a personal check.

Well of course.....you can see the scenario. The $20,000 check bounces (Western Union takes time to clear funds), but meanwhile they have the difference in your personal check AND your tent, and you are left with a huge debt.

Needless to say I never replied the second time. These scams are very very common and often use Western Union and such-like.

 

This one offered to send a certified check, for us to cash it right away and pay the shippers through western union. Said he has shippers who move his consignments all over the US, I have no idea where he is. Prefer he not know where we are either. rolleyes

 

Sounds like a Nigerian scam.rolleyes My friend gave me a computer, a 386 back in the early 90's, he didn't want strangers traipsing around his house checking things out. Leave it for a yard sale. Could be a an identity thief.

 

That's all it could be, not money for sure, final thought is the guy is really really eccentric.

 

BTW, I burn all my mail, though a shredder works just as well I guess for CC or bank statements that I don't need anymore.

 

Hey maybe Howard Hughes ain't dead, and he needs a Dishwasher, Darlene:confusedLOL

But your right if you have a gut feeling its wrong, it usually is

 

Me too, don't get much in the snail mail any more, do most all on line, what we do get goes through the shredder also.

 

I wish I could show you the actual mail, there was much more to it. Why someone would think a person would go through all that simply over 100 dollar sales is beyond me. Besides him not calling himself was strange also.

 

Large stuff like that I only advertise in the local LOOT rag I havnt failed to sell something yet,they come in person look at it and buy it with cash,they cant use the toilet or leave my sight

As soon as they try and get the upper hand or talking about price on the phone or asking for extras or things like that I just say look its here if you want it bring some money,the most annoying thing is everything you try to sell in my area you get asian guys phoning up and haggling price staight away, just the way they do business I guess

asian guy "what price is it then sir"

me "The price is £100 like it said in the Ad"

asian guy "yes but what is a fair price sir"

Me "I think a fair price is £100"

asian guy "I dont think that is a fair price,what is the real price"

Me "what do you think is a fair price"

asian guy " £20 "

Me "Look mate your having a laugh,its £100,take it or leave it"

asian guy "Ok thankyou sir bye"

This is thier excuse for haggling,they just love a bargain we get around five of these per one person ready to buy it.

My only real fear is getting bad notes,not happened yet though

I'd forget about the punter darlene besides casual interest they arnt worth bothering with

 

That was funny Rikky, hope it was meant to be. Actually people have been coming to look at stuff, sold other things besides the dishwasher but think it's gone next week. In fact the woman who is buying it told a story like ours her sister took the check then got scared and took it to the police.

 

Yeh I suppose it is funny,doesnt seem like it at the time when your tryna sell something though,I just think stop wasting my time!