Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

scam? what's the risk?

appleguy123

appleguy123

macrumors 604
Original poster
Apr 1, 2009
6,873
2,589
15 minutes in the future
i got i found this absolutely incredible deal on a unibody 17" macbook pro! it was only $700 fully loaded (everything fully upgraded). here is what i sent him after i found this great deal.
Hi there,


You sent me an e-mail via craigslist for my laptop i have to sell, sorry to respond so late, but been very busy. It's still for sale. The laptop is new in the original box and 3 years of full warranty, it's fully loaded. It's the 2009 model. The price is $700.

Here are the photos:
http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sha...hareCode=ADD1CA1C84B&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW

And here are the specs:

SPECS:
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93 GHZ processor
8GB DDR3 Memory
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
Built-in 8-hour battery


17-inch MacBook Pro: Three USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
Mini DisplayPort
Audio line in
Audio line out
ExpressCard/34 slot
Kensington lock slot

Communications

Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)
Combined optical digital input/analog line in (minijack)
Combined optical digital output/analog line out (minijack)
Supports Apple Stereo Headset with microphone
Environmental Status Report
MacBook Pro is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:

Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
Mercury-free LED-backlit display
Arsenic-free glass
BFR-free internal components
PVC-free internal cables
Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
EPEAT Gold rating


Electrical and operating requirements
Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F
(10° to 35° C)
Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F
(-24° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet
Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet
Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet
What’s in the box
MacBook Pro
Display cleaning cloth
85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord
Install/restore DVDs
Printed and electronic documentation

Software

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife ’09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)


Thank you.
Carrie Paulson
Click to expand...
then i bit the bait and told him i would take it if he was local and why he was selling sooooo cheap.
this is what he then responded.
Hey,



If you want i can send it to you via DHL and pay the delivery guy after opening the package, turning on the laptop and verifying everything in the package, of course you can refuse the package and pay nothing. All i need is your name and address where you want the package delivered. If you wont be at home to receive the package DHL will retour the package to one of their locations in your area and you can go and pick it up from there on the same above terms.

When i listed the laptop on craigslist i didn't know that my boss will take me with him in a business trip to Greece for 1 month, i am writing you from Greece, Athens right now ( it's kind of nice here, warm :) ), that is why i responded so late to your e-mail, anyway, what i am trying to say is that i have the laptop with me and i can ship it to US via DHL- 3 days delivery (they don't have FedEx here).

Final price $700. It's $700 only because i didn't buy it to say so, was like a gift, i mean it was included in the price of a ticket for a seat to an internet marketing seminar i participate 3 weeks ago (was a very expensive ticket anyway) . If you are ready e-mail me your details and i will go to DHL.

E-mail me your thoughts.
Click to expand...
so should i pay him the $700 what is the risk of cod?
please help me i have been wanting this computer so bad for so long
 
I live by the rule "if its too good to be true, then it probably is"

Shipping from a foreign country? $2500+ off retail? NEW?

I dont buy it, and you shouldnt either.
 
The DHL driver doesn't sit there and wait, he asks you for the money, counts it and hands you the package and skates away as quick as possible.

You can still pay $700 for a brick.
 
Jeez, read
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

It could be a three way shipping scam where you would get something bought via stolen credit card, but they would get the money. However when the credit card is declined, you'll be on the hook for the computer and you'll be out of your money.
 
appleguy123 said:
he wont let me open it? do you think there is any chance that he would?
Click to expand...

The item is only handed over once the recipient has paid the COD amount.

By the time you find out that you've been scammed, the driver is in the truck and gone.
 
appleguy123 said:
can anyone verify this sorry sun baked i dont doubt you i just really want this to be true
Click to expand...


Isn't that EXACTLY the problem? You WANT this to be true and are devoting a considerable amount of energy and thought trying to convince yourself of how it is possible. Take a deep breath and think about all the ways this could be WRONG.

You've gotten lots of good advice but it's up to you to listen to it or to continue buying into a fantasy that someone is clearly trying to sell to you.
 
DHL provides no escrow services at all, they are there to deliver the package and collect the money for the COD.

If it is damaged, refuse it, or look at the box and pay for it.

If you get a brick after the guy walks out, it isn't DHL's problem.
 
Psychmike said:
Isn't that EXACTLY the problem? You WANT this to be true and are devoting a considerable amount of energy and thought trying to convince yourself of how it is possible. Take a deep breath and think about all the ways this could be WRONG.

You've gotten lots of good advice but it's up to you to listen to it or to continue buying into a fantasy that someone is clearly trying to sell to you.
Click to expand...

Exactly how people lose money in scams; they want it to be true.

Craigslist is only reasonable when you can meet the seller in person and in a public place and you can test the item before you buy.

In Europe, the scammers say they are in the USA, which is why they can't meet you.

Be sensible and ignore the bait.
 
It is definitely a scam. Just recently this same story is popping up across Canada in all the craiglists.

I know in Calgary there is at least 4 posts with similar stories. Just moved, transferred, school. Even the exact same story about the guy being sent to Greece.

Don't let the price lure you in, it is a scam. Quite obvious since it's everywhere, it is not likely that everybody suddenly wanted to sell their 17" at over a $2000 discount.
 
Do people really fall for these outright scams?!?!?!?

A fully loaded current top-of-the-line MBP for only $700?!?!? Seller is conveniently out of the country... And from Craigslist. 3 strikes there. Please... Just. Think. For. A. Second.

If you bite, you so deserve what's coming to you.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11a Safari/525.20)

Hahaha yeah this is so real!!!!!!!!!

Why not we all buy a tricked out MBP for $700? We can save over 2,000 dollars!!!!!

/Sarcasm
 
appleguy123 said:
can anyone verify this sorry sun baked i dont doubt you i just really want this to be true
Click to expand...

And I really want the 100 million dollars in escrow in an African country for me to be true to, but it ain't going to be:eek:

But if that won't convince you, then I say go ahead and buy it. It'll be the most expensive lesson you've had in your life:D
 
If you haven't figured it out yet from the above posts, this is a
SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM. You can want it to be true all you like, but it is not true. You will lose $700 if you buy this. :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
 
scam loose threads

yes as i and you all suspected this was a scam. i contacted dhl today and they rep told me that as of the beginning of 2008 they do not offer cod delivers from foreign countries. also the claim that i could open it up and look at it was also false they cannot accept opened merchandise back. i was scam ( yes i actually paid money that time) for an ipod in china, but that scam was at least well thought out but this guy did not even tie up his loose ends. thanks for your help and words of wisdom.
 
appleguy123 said:
it was completly different which is why i will never use western union for payment again but this seemed different and i didnt know the risks of cod shipping
Click to expand...

I understand and applaud you for actually listening now to others advice. :eek:

However, I must ask you, didn't you think that with SUCH a great deal, he wouldn't offer it to friends and associates and be able to find someone who would take it, since if it WERE true, it is a GREEEEEEEEEEEAT deal!!! :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back