If it is too good to be true is it always bad?

[FordDude]

OK so I am looking for a used Focus. Mostly for my daughter to use while going to college and living at home. She has been using the Aerostar van, but one reason for the Focus is the gas mileage. So I found an add on craigslist without any contact info other than the craigslist email addy. I emailed right away and did not get a response until last evening.

Hey,
I am selling this car because my unit will be sent back to Iraq and don't want it getting old in my garage.The price is low because I need to sell it before the middle of August.The vehicle is in great condition and runs great, clean title.It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad US $2000.The car is in Greenfield, Massachusetts and in case it gets sold I will take care of the shipping charges.
Let me know if you are interested; email me back.
Regards.

OK so then I emailed him back with:

First off thank you for your service. Second thank you for getting back to me. I however am looking for a car in the Southern California area.

So this morning I get another email from him with 24 pics of the Focus. They all look great, nicely equipped car and a price that half of bluebook with the following message.

Hey,
I am in a military base now Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Being in the army has some advantages. I can ship it very cheap. I will ship it with DAS. I will take care of the shipping charges, like I said in my first email. I think I can have it there in 5-7 working days. I am a member of the eBay buyer protection program and using this service you will get a 3 days testing period after delivery. During that 3 days testing period I will not be getting any money. I need to know if you are interested in buying it so I can ask eBay to send you the details on how this works. If interested please include in your next email your contact info for eBay (name, address and #) so we can get things started.
Thanks

So does this sound like a scam or is it a legitimate member of our armed forces trying to sell his car? Oh and it is a 2000 or 2001 with 94k, but located in the northeast and no pics showing under the car (rust issues).

fd

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds fishy to me.

 

[apollard]

If serious, he'd have no trouble selling for that price within a couple of days, local buyer, with cash. Run away.

 

[AzPete]

Not to many Army guys on Davis Monthan AFB. If you have a name, you might call and see if you can get a unit phone number or something. Might also ask his unit to see if there is a real unit on the base by that name. Ask for copy of paperwork in his name.

Sounds like BS to me....having spent '82 - '91 at Davis Monthan. Having a car shipped is not just a thing to do in the military. Shipments are controlled and go by where your orders say you are going or to a location where family is living while you are overseas.....not some place based on a sale.

Just my opinion.................

 

[Horseplay]

A nice car that cheap shouldn't be any problem to sell locally. His responses to you sound fishy to me as well.

 

[blue65coupe]

Most definitely a scam, most definitely.

 

[70 StangMan]

Most definitely a scam, most definitely.

:stu

 

[gotstang]

broken english. scam scam scammy scam!

 

[FordDude]

My initial thoughts were why would you want to pay to have it shipped, why not sell locally. But then with the army shipping bs, I was like well maybe... Thanks for bringing me back down to earth. :hs

fd

 

[blue65coupe]

broken english. scam scam scammy scam!

...could've been one of our members then.

 

[Larry G]

Sounds like a scam, play along with him see where it goes, could be fun.

 

[scedd]

Sounds like a scam, play along with him see where it goes, could be fun.

Tell him your brother lives in Greenfield and will pick it up.
Watch his story change real fast then.

 

[KBMWRS]

Tell him your brother lives in Greenfield and will pick it up.
Watch his story change real fast then.

+1 :stu

 

[BobV]

100% scam - the tell-tale is that you CANNOT use the Ebay protection service unless the transaction actually HAPPENS on Ebay... :no

 

[Flysure1]

I was getting a foreign accent in my head while reading it----tell him the money is being sent to an Nigerian bank account.

 

[Ponyman66]

Scam, scam, scam. Oh BTW, did I mention scam?

 

[Mustang_Charly]

Why would an American soldier dealing with another American in their own country describe the money being discussed for a transaction as being US $? Don't even bother playing with him, you'll probably get a virus or trojan just from his e-mails....


Oh look, I googled the words in case it gets sold I will take care of the shipping charges and this pops up: Source: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

Actual scam emails sent to craigslist users:


Hi,
I am selling this car because my platoon has been sent back to Afganistan and don't want it get old in my backyard. The price is low because I need to sell it before November 16th. It has no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn't been involved in any accident...I do have the title , clear, under my name. The Denali has 35,000 miles VIN# 1GKEK63U16J138428 .
It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad $4,300. The car is in Baltimore, MD, in case it gets sold I will take care of shipping. Let me know if you are interested, email back.
Regards!!!