Is this a scam?

I would typically recommend Craig's List transactions be done locally in person (in a public place)

PayPal offers some protection, but typical scams involve the item allegedly arriving damaged, etc.

That said, not EVERY transaction is a scam
But enter at your own risk
If the $$ are high, I would probably only deal locally

 

An alternative might be to request a U.S. Postal money order.

They are difficult to forge (although nothing's impossible), and are redeemable at any Post Office or bank.

Once cashed, the money is "in your hand", and is non-revokable if the seller raises any issues...

 

More like "Crooks' List".

 

Didn't even have to read the entire thing. The second I saw the word "ship" it's most likely a scam. Craigslist=meetup in person. That's it.

 

definitely a scam. especially since the topic of shipping didn't come up until after the agreement was made.

 

nope don't do it. anything paypal/out of town is scam/out of your controlled environment.

 

never never ship with craigslist. never.

They say on the site : IN PERSON only.

Anyone who ships will lose the money unless you get cash in advance and a bank verifies that it is not counterfeit.

 

it is a scam

they send you malicious emails that have link not to paypal.com.
It is a scam to get your paypal credentials.

 

Nearly everything in my house is from Craigslist ($2000 dining room sets, leather sectionals, kitchen islands, 55" high end LED TV, etc, all purchase for less than 50% retail). It's an amazing resource if you use it properly, but good job making that sweeping generalization

 

Have you googled the shipping address? Often you can find obvious scams that way. If it's a PO box or some other rented address at Mailboxes etc or wherever then it's almost certainly a scam.

 

Just stick to doing business locally, you'll never have any worries. As much as it might seem to not be a scam, some people out there figure out loopholes and take advantage of those.

 

Just make sure that the transaction is conducted in person. Since it's via paypal, they should be able to do everything over a smart phone. Or you could meet somewhere that has free WiFi to make it happen as well. If they're not willing to do that with you there, then you know it's a scam.

And because of CL, I also made sure I always had a counterfeit detector pen with me in the case of larger amounts being dealt with.

And what exactly are you selling and are you comfortable taking it with you?

 

Apparently, Craig List recomends in person closing, but lets say this was done over ebay..

Simply keep the shipping invoice, as far as I know, paypal doesnt care if the guy received the product or not. He just cares if you sent it. So if you have a proof of shipment, they cant claim a refund.

You might as well record the packaging of the item, to bulletproff bad handling from postoffices scam

 

It has been said numerous times, but I agree. Shipping and paypal is an immediate red flag. Keep looking though, I am sure you will find a legitimate buyer.
Good luck.

 

Paypal is heavily weighed in favor of the buyer. all these back and forths would surely indicate someone who's planning to screw you. don't bother.

 

If you accept PayPal and hand over the item you have no proof of delivery so they can get their money back from PayPal.

 

I have had 3 people try that with me on Craigslist, and I am just trying to sell my 2010 macbook pro. I am not a reseller.

I then put it up on eBay and someone bought it right away then asked for my paypal email.

They sent me a fake invoice, then when I reported them to eBay, they sent me a fake notice that eBay was going to cancel my account.

(I have since learned how to change the option to only allow verified buyers to bid and have re-listed it)

It seems to be getting really bad out there.

That being said, I did get a TBD for $700 with a valid receipt from Best Buy, that was a week old and AppleCare that checked out two weeks earlier on craigslist.

That transaction was in person.

 

Craigslist, CASH AND IN PERSON ONLY. No exceptions really. Nervous about the amount of cash? Meet in a bank! A legitimate buyer/seller would have no issue meeting in a bank because it's a win-win. You feel safe with the money and they will feel safe taking out the money.

I've seen people try to bait me with paypal on craigslist (when I first started using it) and they send you this invoice by email that looks so real until you click on the links and figure they're fake.

 

In person and cash only. I have entertained mailing but ONLY after I receive a USPS money order first. No exceptions.

Needless to say, no one has ever agreed to that, which is fine by me.

Craigslist is great if you keep control of the transaction at all times.

 

Thank you, and I stand by it, too. Crook's List. Absolutely no doubt. You've been lucky. Every time I've tried to sell anything, I've had nothing but criminals answer using very broken english wanting to send fake postal money orders, etc, etc. It's one of the only places around where you can actually arrange to meet a perfect stranger because he claims to have something you want and now he knows you're bringing a big wad of cash with you. No thank you.

 

You're doing it wrong...or badly. I've been using Craigslist for 6 years and hundreds of transactions, and have NEVER had a single issue. Guess it depends on where you live. If you live in a major city, it helps a lot.