Bike Forums - Craigslist Scams

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This is an interesting scam.

So this ad when up this morning. I check Bianchi listings quite regularly, and I think I would've noticed this bike for sale. I didn't, but there's an announcement that it has been sold, for $800.

MINT CONDITION 1988 BIANCHI BRAVA. ITALIAN MADE! | road | Ottawa | Kijiji

Ottawa is a slightly softer market than Toronto, but even in Toronto, this is about (at least) twice the going rate for this bike. This specific Bianchi (Brava, black, cromor, with 105), in good condition, gets typically listed for around 400 in these parts and will sit at that price for quite a long time.

So I'm calling out phoney on this ad. I don't believe it. The lister has some ulterior motive for wanting to claim this bike sold at that amount. Maybe he's planning on listing a near-exact similar bike in the future, or maybe just trying to get the C&V market to shoot upwards or something. Not sure what, but no one is paying 800 for this bike in Ottawa. Just a couple of weeks ago, I got a fixie build, Cromor and celeste for 350 from a seller in Ottawa, and that bike sat for several weeks.

He doesn't say how much he sold it for, he just says he sold it. Or maybe he got lucky and sold it to someone for an inflated price. He could also just be delusional. I don't see a scam there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostarchitect (Post 17733561)

He doesn't say how much he sold it for, he just says he sold it. Or maybe he got lucky and sold it to someone for an inflated price. He could also just be delusional. I don't see a scam there.

Agreed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glennfordx4 (Post 17730572)

the only emails I get from CL users are scams or flakes

this is strange, as i never get either through my two ads. i used to get a few. now i don't get any. i wonder if it's geographical.

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I also don't check my Email very often.

a smart phone and the gmail app makes it easy. as william congreve would say, "tis the way of the world."

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I list that I won't reply to Text ... but yet I get a bunch of them every time, so it's either Scams or people to stupid to read...

"too stupid"

if it were a bike i somewhat wanted, i would try an email with you first, just because i hate giving out my phone number and prefer not speaking on the phone with craigslisters. i would sign with my whole name and actual email address.

if it were a great bike for which my heart yearned, i would bite the bullet and call.

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… most every text & email I get starts with "Is the Item Still Available"

i'm going to assume this is due to your use of your phone number as opposed to craigslist email.

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... all the people in the world turning into little wussies hiding behind their phones and computers afraid to talk to another person one on one.

batman, call us what you will, but i'd prefer not to chance talking to a complete weirdo. he may turn out to be a super villain only disguised as the caped crusader.

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My phone number is also listed [sic] should I be afraid of that also.

do you receive a lot of surveys and advertising as well?

i kid you a bit above, but i will guess most of the spam would cease if you just switched from phone over to craigslist email.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschlwc (Post 17733924)

this is strange, as i never get either through my two ads. i used to get a few. now i don't get any. i wonder if it's geographical.

a smart phone and the gmail app makes it easy. as william congreve would say, "tis the way of the world."

"too stupid"

if it were a bike i somewhat wanted, i would try an email with you first, just because i hate giving out my phone number and prefer not speaking on the phone with craigslisters. i would sign with my whole name and actual email address.

if it were a great bike for which my heart yearned, i would bite the bullet and call.

i'm going to assume this is due to your use of your phone number as opposed to craigslist email.

batman, call us what you will, but i'd prefer not to chance talking to a complete weirdo. he may turn out to be a super villain only disguised as the caped crusader.

do you receive a lot of surveys and advertising as well?

i kid you a bit above, but i will guess most of the spam would cease if you just switched from phone over to craigslist email.

#1 , It may be geographical I don't know but it was bad enough to force my hand in only listing a phone #.

#2 , I don't own a smart phone as they can't handle the abuse I put on them ( I have sever nerve damage to my hands and I drop stuff all the time ). I use a Samsung Rugby 2 which has banged off of the concrete more times then I can count and works perfect.

#3 , Sorry I do have a problem when typing To or Too, my wife busts my chops about this also.

#4 , When I am asked Is The Item Still Available and reply yes that's when the Scamming Starts, Every Time no matter what period.

#5 , I promise you it's not a disguise I am Batsman ( not Batman ) lol. 99% of the weirdos aren't dangerous so you are going to live in fear of the 1%, you sound a little paranoid to me. Me, I am 6' 275lb & a excellent marksmen with plenty of WMD's around here to thwart off evil do'ers.

#6 Not as much as you would think & not enough to worry about it as I have caller ID & an answering machine.

Glenn

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschlwc (Post 17733924)

i'd prefer not to chance talking to a complete weirdo.

One of the magically, completely adorable scenarios was when I was looking to put a rock and roll band together- So I put an ad up... and the replies I got off that were incredible. I could pretty much sort them out by people who had never played with anyone ever before and people REALLY into smoking the weed. Generally, I think it's a good idea to not start talking about how much you love smoking the weed in the first conversation you have with someone. But probably half the people I talked to brought it up in some form or another- like out of nowhere. Not that I'm against it, I just don't do it, and kind of gravitate away from people who base their lives around it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batsman

I am Batsman... you are going to live in fear... you sound a little paranoid to me. Me, ... with plenty of WMD's around here to thwart off evil do'ers.

yeah, this is why i don't want to talk on the phone with strangers.

i kid the batsman. do what works for you.

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Originally Posted by the golden boy

it's a good idea to not start talking about how much you love smoking the weed in the first conversation…

i'll let it slide when shopping for a pipe.