scam after another scam
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
February 13, 2012 3:46pm CST
Okay, as you might know, on craiglist, this online classified ads site, full of scam, and scamsters lulling people in and rip them off. That is what happen to my friend a week ago. When my friend saw an ad for a verizon Android phone of $200, he immediately contact the sales person, and meet him somewhere to make the trade. After he brought home that phone, it is a totally a phony, fake Android phone. He attempted to call the seller again, but no one would answer. On the next day, my friend post the ad for the same smart phone on craigslist, another person really fall into it. Then they met, and make that trade. Oh my, after I heard that story, craigslist absolutely not the place I would make the buying.
2 people like this
13 responses
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
16 Feb 12
The sad part is that CraigsList is taking the rap for all these people who do these stupid things. I remember when CraigsList was a great site. Now I feel like you do. I am weary of buying almost anything online from sites like that including E-Bay.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
15 Feb 12
Craigslist really does rather tend to prime fodder for scams. Not everything is scams but obviously the damage has been done before they are shut down. And granted that is really the problem with buying something online that is not through a reputed store or manufacturer. There is never any guarantee that what you might be buying is on the level.
That is just the scary fact for sure. Craigslist is not something that I would never really consider, but right now, I really would never really consider it, not now, not ever. This would not be the first time where I have heard a horror story about some scam right on craigslist and no doubt, there was rather not going to be the last time.
@wangexplore1259 (102)
• China
14 Feb 12
Nowadays it has been more and more difficult for us to distinguish whether the information is true or false on the Internet,especially for online shopping.In my opinion,unless too urgent,we'd better go to the entity stores for shopping instead of online shopping,for we can see and try the things we want to by there.After all,we can get a much more comprehensive impression of the goods in the entity stores than online shops.However,there do exist methods to distinguish the reliability of the online information,but it takes time to master that well.Sorry for your friend's experience.
@Ernnesto (180)
• Slovak Republic
14 Feb 12
Really sad situation. You spent 200 and have nothing. When you buy such thing you should check the box and also have a look on that thing. Really good idea is firstly chceck the look on the internet if possible and also description, videos. Last time I bought a Iphone 3G, firstly I checked the description of cell phone on the internet and also I was browsing about fakes, how them looks like and where is the diffence between original and fake. But anyway, that you for shareing...
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
13 Feb 12
I would never trust phones on any online site. If you want a phone, buy it from a reputable store. It's that simple. Do it that way or not at all.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
14 Feb 12
It's definitely 'buyers beware' when purchasing something off of Craigslist or eBay. I also found that out the hard way buying a Blackberry that was 're-furbished'. I only spent $100 on it, but still, that's kind of a chunk of change from where I am sitting right now. It wasn't a phony phone, but it had so many glitches that I Finally gave up on it. UGH. I guess eBay is a little better than Craigslist, because at least some of the offers have return policies. I guess your friend learned his lesson, also unfortunately the hard way 
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
14 Feb 12
I am sorry that your friend had to go through this. I had tried to sell a computer on Craig's List and the person wanted me to ship the item to Algeria. When she sent me the email saying I had to ship it I sent her a message saying "I said that I will not ship, you need to pick up". Needless to say I did not sell her the item. I try hard not to use Craig's list.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
14 Feb 12
That is such a bad and awful story about trading. I've heard that Craigslist used to be such a good place to trade but when it became so popular, I think things went out of hand and their security and credibility have gone astray. Some still use it from what I've read but I don't think it's commendable. I still trust some online trading sites but I always try to be careful. I make sure that the seller or had some great reputation on the site first before getting into any kind of business. Sometimes, if some sellers are selling their gadgets or items for such a low price, one should alwawys think twice before buying them.
@pandora22 (868)
• Romania
14 Feb 12
everytime i want to buy something like a phone or a laptop i prefer to do it in a proper shop.i compare the products and prices and chosse the best one .maybe buying on the internet seems cheaper but it is full of riscs.to many scammers outthere.
