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Craigslist Scam Headsup

M

MarkF_48

Member
Wasn't sure where to post this, but as it concerns a V series Blad, here seems appropriate. Move it if neccssary.
I've been looking for a 501CM or 503CW and found 503CW kit w/ a CFE on Craigslist locally for $1500(US). I replied to the Craigslist ad and got back a sketchy way to contact the seller. The ad gave serial numbers of the body and lens and for whatever reason I did a Google search of the body number. I had 3 hits, one being the Craigslist ad, another was a very reputable ebay seller, and the last seemed to be a search engine of some kind to locate specific cameras. This raised my suspicions enough to email the legit ebay seller, who I just recieved an email back from stating it was absolutely a scam and the kit on Craigslist was a copy of his ebay ad. Not sure how prevalent this sort of scam is, but I thought I'd give a headsup as a caution to all. Dang, it was such a great price for that kit too!!

This is the Craigslist ad (Southeast Massachusetts)....
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/pho/1373925537.html

Legit ebay sellers ad.... note the descriptions are identical....
http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380135961233
 
Wasn't sure where to post this, but as it concerns a V series Blad, here seems appropriate.
I've been looking for a 501CM or 503CW and found a 503CW kit w/ a CFE on Craigslist locally for $1500(US). I replied to the Craigslist ad and got back a sketchy way to contact the seller. The ad gave serial numbers of the body and lens and for whatever reason I did a Google search of the body number. I had 3 hits, one being the Craigslist ad, another was a very reputable ebay seller, and the last seemed to be a search engine of some kind to locate specific cameras. This raised my suspicions enough to email the legit ebay seller, who I just recieved an email back from stating it was absolutely a scam and the kit on Craigslist was a copy of his ebay ad. Not sure how prevalent this sort of scam is, but I thought I'd give a headsup as a caution to all. Dang, it was such a great price for that kit too!!


I originally had links in this post to the Craigslist seller and the legit ebay seller, but found I don't have enough posts to embed them in the post. If a mod can unlock this post somehow, I'll post the links. Tried to PM a mod with the links and that seemed blocked as well.
 
Thanks for sharing this. I have had quality success on EBay and occassionally with KEH. I also use the -- How to date a hasselblad to start my verification and that has also helped. I thought I would also share an experience I had yesterday. When I arrived home today there was a message on our answering machine for me from B&H camera asking me to return the call to verify that I made a purchase and confirmed an order number. Since I haven't ordered anything from them since February, I returned the call, The purchase was fraudulent and they did not process the order. It was for $799.00 and the shipping address was Texas (I live in CT). I contacted the CC company, cancelled the account and notified them of the event. The part of this that I respected and appreciated was the foresight that B&H responded with.
 
Craigslist seems to be the source of many scam and bogus sellers. I have seen a fair number of threads on other camera forums where people have discovered rip-offs (luckily before they sent their money). One of the hazards of our electronic ease of purchasing, I guess. You have to be constantly on your guard.
 
Thanks for these posts which once again make clear to be cautious.

Just informed eBay about a 40 mm IF lens being advertised by a seller with 0 feedback at eBay.co.uk
The ad caught my attention for a number of reasons.
Only factory information was mentioned straightv from a sales brochure.
Th eheading of the ad also stated a number code like "ag 46"

Looking at the German site gave the same picture with item code in the heading with full details of this particular lens.
A clear case of a copied ad by the scam brigade.
The seller on the German site is a well known respectable camera shop.

Ebay removed the copycat offer.

Safe buying at ebay means checking the sellers feedback record and find out for what kind of items.
A lot of feedbacks for teaspoons does not mean this is a genuine seller for expensive photogear.
Try to contact the seller before you bid and find out if he or she is a pleasant person to deal with.
Good answers on seemingly stupid questions give a hint the seller takes bidders seriously.
 
Couldn't you contact them and review said equipment?

Obviously, this one is suspicious enough with the same images cribbed from eBay, but that's how I meet potential local sellers. It makes me a lot less suspicious if the seller invites me into his/her home and it's in a pretty nice neighborhood.
 
jacksatta said:
Couldn't you contact them and review said equipment?

Obviously, this one is suspicious enough with the same images cribbed from eBay, but that's how I meet potential local sellers. It makes me a lot less suspicious if the seller invites me into his/her home and it's in a pretty nice neighborhood.
Click to expand...
I originally I had sent a reply to the Craigslist seller asking where they were so I could come look at the camera. I never got any reply back. I sent a second reply simply asking how to contact them and they did answer back, but said that to call by phone would be difficult and to text them instead. That's when I decided to Google the serial numbers. I have a feeling he would have requested a check or payment somehow promising to mail a non-existent camera.
I sell on Craigslist myself and sometimes I'm even skeptical of having people come to my home to look at things.
 
MarkF_48 said:
I sell on Craigslist myself and sometimes I'm even skeptical of having people come to my home to look at things.
Click to expand...

I bought an enlarger and later a rotary drum dryer via Craigslist and because of the size I had to see it at the seller's home. So I went to see the enlarger first and then went back with the money. The seller showed me the dryer when he showed me the enlarger.

For smaller items I would want to meet in a public place.

All in all, I would rather buy at Samys or KEH.

Steve
 
Mark, how bizarre.

I mean what do they expect, exactly; that you'll wire transfer or drop off money in a trash can, and then give you whereabouts of the products to you?

I mean, that's not even a smart scam.
 
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