In the past month I have found two 70 chevelle SS cars that I have been very serious about buying, both great deals. The first guy never did send me more pictures that I requested from him when I spoke with him on the phone and when I tried to call him back, he would not answer or return my phone calls. This was a "70 SS454 LS5" with a buildsheet, very nice car in the pictures from what I could tell from the ad. price was $18,500 it was in Iowa. The second car was a 70 SS396 in Michigan for $14K again looked to be a very nice car. I spoke with him and he actually did send me more pictures. I recieved the pictures and called him and told him I would take the car if he would take $13K and be there this weekend and he said he would have to talk with his wife and call me back later that night. Well he never did end up calling me back and I have left two voicemails on his phone saying I will take it for $14k and sent him two emails and still have not heard back from him. Both these cars were on craigslist. Whats up with this??? Do these sound like scams to you guys??? When I spoke with both of these guys they seemed to know their cars fairly well. Seems to me there has been more scams lately with the economy the way it is today. What do you guys think?? Scam or not?

did they ask you to send a deposit to a PO Box? Pay up front?

To scam you, they must get your money first and deliver nothing or junk.

C/L, in general, is where flakes hang out. All kinds of reasons for people to post ads for cars that don't exist or are not really for sale. One example is to point out to another seller that his car is not worth much. See...there is one right here that is only $14,000.

No both times I have told them I will send them a deposit through paypal or whatever to hold the car for me. Typically $500 or so. Thats what I usually send when I buy a car on ebay. But probally not a good idea when buying a car on craigslist I guess. But no both times I have told them I will send them a deposit to hold the car If the car looks good when they send me pictures. I guess I dont know if these are scams or what. Or maybe they have sold the car locally but come on at least call me back or answer my phone call and tell me its sold! It felt to me like they were scams but not sure. Especially the prices they were asking, too good to be true type of thing.

I imagine it would be rather pointless to run a scam that nets you absolutely nothing. Maybe it's one of those new "free" scams.

;)

Matt
DID he ask for offers?
This kind of s.... pisses me off all the time.
When I give a price that what I want not less than what I was asking.
He wanted $14,000 you asked if he'd take $13 000 what up with that!!!!! :mad: Do you do this with your doctor, at the meat market, at the gas station? If your answer is no then why do you do it to someone selling a car!!! Does it piss you of when someone starts this with you!
I would be pissed :yes: too and not communicate any more with you.
Unless I really need to get the cash.

:)JUST MY Opinion.:)


Think about it:D

Well if the ad would have said $14k FIRM then no I would not have even bothered to ask. When you go to a car dealership your telling me your not going to try at all to get them to lower the price a little bit???? Come on everybody tries to talk the seller down a little bit whether its a private seller or dealer.

I can't remember the last time someone walked into my dealership and gave me asking price for a car.:noway:

Exactly my point

I agree, its the nature of buying a car. I don't think anyone just gives the asking price for a car anymore. If the seller states FIRM, I most likely wouldn't bother.. but why not try?

Same deal, Chevelle 70 appeared to be an SS. add stated will sell by Tues. No description, No price. just pictures. When I email a list of fair questions to be answered there was no response. Did it twice nothing. My take on Craigs list, when you dont have to pay $$ to put an add up, it invites all types of non legit deals to be posted. I dont think they were scams, and yes you were well with in your right to make an offer. Even "firm bids" deserve an offer. I have sold several things on Craigs list and find it a very good place to sell

If its CL, i would say there are a LOT of scammers trying to sell someone elses car.

Matt Like everything else today buying and selling cars has changed. As you have found out nothing can be taken for granted. Because you can never tell how someone will react to an "offer" I started years ago......What will it take to buy the car right now? That usually allows you to feel out the seller without offending him. If he states the original price is firm I usually thank them for their time and explain that is a little pricey for me. If you get no further response you can evaluate at that point. Many times you will get .....What do you think the car is worth? Now you have dialogue and he solicited an offer. This works out good when you are dealing with straight up people.

Now when you have to work with jerks like you described everything changes. So many times they try to wear you down and more times than not there is something to hide. If the guy was serious about selling the car, $14K, he would have responded to your offer. Backing only a grand out should have showed him you were trying to buy the car.