Scams Encountered Trying To sell My 370Z

gsxr750

Just wanted to relate my experiences trying to sell my 370z thru the craigslist on the west coast thru craigslist. Its a 2012 with only 1000 miles on it.

So far I have a lot of locals trying to give me credit union or cashiers checks.

A lot of ppl trying to find out the vin numbers and where the car is stored or can be seen.

Some are trying to buy the car and arrange to have it shipped to other countries.

An interesting thing I found is that even if a person calls you or sends you a text message and it appears to be from your local calling area, there is actually software or phone apps that allow you disguise your phone # and have it appear to be a local, when the caller could actually be in another country etc.

How to change your phone number and call someone - YouTube

This morning I had a real interested party wanting to see the car and buy it right away and he was all set to go until, this guy really want to know the VIN and where the car was.

I said I would show him the car at the local PD or BOA with a lot of armed bank guards around. turned out to no longer send any replies and doesn't answer his phone when the # is dialed locally.

ZeroZeta

Dude that is insane.

Now I would say to stay off of CL for major transactions. Its like chumming the water for sharks.

Any luck with other sites - autotrader, ebaymotors etc? You need something that empowers you to filter out these potential buyers before you waste your time communicating with them.

Chuck33079

Yeah, Craigslist is where you go to sell a $1000 beater. Not an expensive car.

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1st

Craigslist Killer! Check it out the movie is based on a true story.

Mt Tam I am

What would happen if you gave them the VIN? Is it like a social security number?

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XiP

I sold my car on craigslist. I didn't have any problems at all

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gsxr750

When I lived back east in upstate NY craigslist was great for getting rid of all my vehicles, ended up getting good prices and quick deals.

Ebay is a waste of time unless you have something ppl really want , is cheap or rare.

Auto Trader is just flooded with to many dealers.

If I don't get what I want for it I'll just keep it , CarMax offered me $26K and I can cash in my extended warranty for $1800 back from Nissan , so I may go that route.

Chuck33079

If you're going to be selling something high dollar on Craigslist, make sure you're taking someone with you when you meet the prospective buyers. I'd hate to hear one of our forum members got his car stolen or worse.

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kenchan

yah, i would just sell the car to carmax. they're fair and the one close to me bought like 3-4 cars from me already. ive had good experience.

gsxr750

Vin # could be used for a stolen or wrecked car to give it a good history, then you could end up with your ride having a screwed up record in another state or country etc.

I only give out the Vin # once deal is struck and at least a small deposit left.

You can never be to safe, specially when you live in a area where a lot of scams take place.

I've even heard where a buyer will show up with counterfeit money to buy your merchandise , then you go to deposit the funds or use them, you find out they are fake.

Even the detection pens can be fooled, the only safe way is to have the buyer follow you to the bank and at least have the bank scan the currency to make sure its real, most crooks will never do this so you avoid the problem in the first place , by taking no chances.

Chuck33079

Plus if you do the deal at your bank, you're not running around with $26k in cash. You can just deposit it immediately.

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coolvans1988

Remove your # from craigslist and just ask them to reply with their contact # if interested. I dont think the app they use can help disguise their actual phone# right?

2011 Nismo#91

I don't understand peoples obsession with hiding plates numbers and vin numbers. Both are on publicly view able parts of a car. Ebay displays vin numbers on many cars sold there, they are not hard to get at all.

binary0x01

That's a poor idea using CL in your situation. The odds are against you getting what you want, by a lot.

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2011 Nismo#91

Imo safest way is to do it through Ebay or another reputable 3rd party. If all else fails only accept cash and make the transaction at your bank.You accept a lot more responsibility if you handle the sale yourself.