weirdness with the sale of my bongo

[Caca de Kick]

Geez, that's the last time I list something on craigslist -

It doesn't matter where you list them. Any classified listing that involves email response (basically all of them) is going to get scam traffic like this. You just have to get used to identifying the lame spam scams, which is easy because they're always worded funny like a robot talking...."greetings I saw your advert" And I'll just hit delete, nobody around here talks like that. Real buyers sound just like your next door neighbor talking to you.
And any international transaction involving some 'cheque', simply delete.

[the unrepentant]

It doesn't matter where you list them. Any classified listing that involves email response (basically all of them) is going to get scam traffic like this. You just have to get used to identifying the lame spam scams, which is easy because they're always worded funny like a robot talking...."greetings I saw your advert" And I'll just hit delete, nobody around here talks like that. Real buyers sound just like your next door neighbor talking to you.
And any international transaction involving some 'cheque', simply delete.

That or some foreign mug that can't type properly (I realise some foreigners that may not have the best grasp of english may be genuine, but every time i've come accross this scam (about 3 times) i was greeted by some form of 'engrish' as i like to call it)

A good way to avoid this sort of thing is to actually have them pick the bass up in person, or no deal.

[r goldsmith]

Someone tried to scam me a few years ago on ebay on a bass, an overseas address involving some foreign country, ridiculous requests involving payment and delivery etc. Can't recall the precise details now, but I let him know straight up I knew he was a crook and that I wasn't biting. This led to a brief email exchange where he called me "asshole" and "I will call police on you". I asked him how he managed to sleep at night, told him he was no better than a child molester and not to bother, because I'd already contacted the police. That shut him up.

[Caca de Kick]

That or some foreign mug that can't type properly...

A good way to avoid this sort of thing is to actually have them pick the bass up in person, or no deal.

Well yeah there is some truth to that. But for the most part, any classified responses I'm deleting 80% of emails.

I did have one unusual deal. I listed a tabletop bass, and a Turkish fella was all over it, offering goofy payment, but didn't seem like a scammer. He said he has a relative that lived in the State I'm in. I said the only way I'll sell is if your 'relative' meets me at XX shopping mall on sunday with cash in-hand. And this smoking hot chick-cousin of his indeed showed up.
Did I mention she was smoking hot!?

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Did I mention she was smoking hot!?

No pics, no smoking hot!

[five7]

I had a guy send me a $3000 check for a $100 fender neck I listed on craigslist. Took the check to wells fargo and had it confiscated. I have heard of people depositing the scammers check and then getting charged with fraud by their bank. I emailed the scammer and told him to send his shipping company over to pickup the neck. I thought I would have some fun, but they never showed up.

[b-unit]

Unfortunately this is a very popular scam that many people have been victimized by. Happens a lot with vehicles being sold on Craigslist.

[silverburst]

Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams