I was browsing through Craigslist last night for a buddy and came across a 2004 F-150 with 96K in absolutely PRISTINE condition, both in and out for only $4200. I figured the guy screwed up and meant to put $14,200 but when I e-mailed him, this is the response that I got...

Me:
"Hows it going.

Just saw the ad on CL. Is the truck really only $4200? How many miles are on it? Let me know when you get a chance.

Thanks a lot. "

Him:
"Hi, my name is Aaron and i want to say sorry for the delayed response! i see from your e-mail that you are interested in my 2004 Ford F-150 Lariat
so you have to know that the truck is working perfectly,it has only 96,000 miles it look`s and works perfectly, the truck is in great shape it has never being involved in to an accident,you can run a carfax report on it.
The price is so low ($4.200) because i have some problems and i need to sell it ASAP!
So if you are interested in buying my truck please let me know and i will tell you how this will work.
If you want to know more about it or how you can purchase the truck please e-mail me back.
Thanks

For more photos please click here
http://picasaweb.google.com/aaronmcguire323/2004FordF150Lariat"

Should I be skeptical? I asked for a VIN to do a Carfax and asked where I could go to check out the truck but for $4200, that's a steal of a lifetime... Right? Should I pursue it?

 

This line right here: is what is throwing up a flag to me. I'd say send him an email saying you are interested in buying and see what his "instructions" are.

I'd also be curious to hear what his response is to the CarFax.

My guess is that the instructions are going to involve sending money somewhere. I'm thinking it's too good to be true... and a few more emails should prove or disprove that.

 

Yea, no harm talking to him but keep your BS goggles on.

 

juniorbean is right. when i read that line, i was like "wait what?"

but i would still pursue it, your never know how desperate people are nowadays...and we all know when cars get close to 100,000 miles, not many people want to buy them and if he has to get rid of it fast, a super low price is the only way to go...

but, like juniorbean says, if he starts asking you to send money around etc, im sure you are smart enough to then stop talking to the guy.

good luck!

 

Do not even bother running a carfax unless you can see the car in person. I wouldn't believe it until I saw it in person.

 

If you had to post here asking then you know there is something fishy and too good to be true. Keep far away.

 

Scammer

 

Yea, that sounds similar to the 2007 Lexus RX Hybrid ad that my gf saw on CL the other day... they said they were moving to Europe or something and had it packed up in a container ready to ship from VA... you could tell it was bogus.

Ask for it's location, VIN number, and if it's nearby, get a friend or two and go look at it... don't go alone.

 

there are a bunch of those on autotrader. They must hijack someone's acct or are using a prepaid credit card to pay for the ad.

 

http://www.google.com/search?source=...earch&aq=f&oq=

 

^ LOL.. you do know there is more then one Aaron McGuire in the world... right? I'm not sure your link proves anything.

 

Insist on seeing the truck in person before any negotiations start. If he says no, run away.

 

yup! I went through this a couple of weeks ago. Called on a late model Tribeca and asked where the vehicle was. It was in Italy.

another way to find out is to get back on CL and search for the same truck in another State. I'd bet you find it Advertised in another State.

 

Bs 100%

 

I don't know what I'd do without you guys... You were all right, it turns out it was too good to be true and seems as though it's a scam. Here's the e-mail I got back...

"Sure, here is the VIN: 1FTPW14574KD21326
The truck is with me in Bloomfield, MO
I will be using eBay service because i don`t have the time to handle the sale, so they will handle this for me.If you want to buy the truck you must make the payment to their service. eBay will have to verify you before we can close this deal through their service.
Your money will be keep by their company until you will receive the truck and send them the
confirmation that you are satisfied with the product received.You will have 2 days for inspection and test drive. In case the truck is not like i said or you don't want to
keep the truck, all you will have to do is to ask them for a refund and you will be totally
refunded ASAP. The shipping is already paid by me.
P.S. You must know that if you decide to buy the truck i will need your full name, shipping
address and your phone# as soon as possible in order to send your details at eBay to make the arrangements.
eBay will contact you ASAP with more information about payment and insurance.
Thanks"

I'll keep my $4200 thank you very much.

Thanks guys. I owe you one

 

Mmmmmm.....scammalicious.....

 

Wow.

 

Damn, now they're using an "eBay service". Funny, the only eBay service I know of is eBay.

But hey, emailing the guy was free and you verified it was a scam. No harm, no foul...

 

That sounds almost exactly like the email that my girlfriend got back regarding the Lexus. Dude said it would be handled through eBay due to him not having time to handle the sale himself. He also said the same thing, almost verbatim, about eBay holding them money, giving you 2 days to look/test, and that if you didn't like/want it, you'd get a full refund ASAP.

Anyone know why they ask for your full name, mailing address and phone number? You need more than that to open a credit card right? I'm not exactly up on my scamming skills...

Unfortunately, not every Joe has the lightbulb moment thinking something like this could be a scam and they give them everything they ask. Thank goodness for the AZ Squad... and for having common sense enough to suspect a scam!