DealSpork

Yes, that's Dutch and it looks like some NAS with a DVD drive. However, I'm in an area where they barely have power and not very fast internet so I dare not to open a YouTube link.

I have a 64GB iPad rev1 3g that I've put on Craigslist, and have only had scammers respond.

Anyone want to buy it here? Comes with an Apple dock and Apple sleeve case. Original packaging included.

I'm asking $575, but for a Sporker, maybe $525?

Speaking of deals, anyone need a 2006 Intel Xserve, $500 + shipping? I know someone trying to offload it.

Ooh, and to piggyback on that piggyback, I have an Xserve raid unit with I think six sleds and maybe the fiber cards that came out of the server for sale.

Quote
tomierna
I have a 64GB iPad rev1 3g that I've put on Craigslist, and have only had scammers respond.

Anyone want to buy it here? Comes with an Apple dock and Apple sleeve case. Original packaging included.

I'm asking $575, but for a Sporker, maybe $525?

What gives them up as scammers?

Hey Tom! No fair re-hijacking! ;-)

Alan,

They usually ask if the item is still for sale and what the final price is (despite it being clearly marked in the ad) and then when you respond, they send something like:

Quote
Shameless Scammer
Okay i have no problem with your asking price just for GIFT i really
want it but if you can assure me that its still in good condition i
will proceed with the deal and i will be paying through my paypal
account because due to nature of my job i will not be able to get to
my bank, sorry for the inconvenience, I want your honesty in return to
my faithfulness on this transaction.Your immediate response will
surely be appreciated need your reply soon, I use Paypal for payment
as it is a safe way to exchange funds Once you receive the payment you
can ship it i will add extra $100 for the shipping and handling .will
also like to see more pics please????

or

Quote
Even more obviously a scammer
Thanks for the mail,yes i do want it,i will want you to help me get
the item ship PRETORIA,SOUTH AFRICA and i will pay you a sum of $700
for the shipping fee and i will be paying you through PayPal,so kindly
get back to me with your PayPal money request so that i can make the
transfer asap...and here is the shipping address...
EZEKIEL ANUOLUWAPOSUNVILLA 310457 JORISSEN
STREETSUNNYSIDE0002PRETORIA,SOUTH AFRICA

I should add. If folks know people in the Bay Area that want to donate an item to a school, I have a few candidates. They will get a letter as well as the tax write off for the equipment.

Mokers, forward them to me/send me a link? I've been meaning to take the HD out of an old MacBook (screen is blitzed, too, but maybe they can use if for spare parts) and still have the old Mac Pro.

ddt

Tom,

So it's their intent to do what then? Get the item and dispute the charges? But yes, I wouldn't do business with a response like that either.

On a side note, did I ever mention on spork that I once held in my hand a hard copy of a 419 scam. I don't mean a printed email, I mean a nigerian scammer that was actually using snail mail. It was hand typed and the address was hand written. This was about 1995 and the interwebs hadn't really caught on yet. I wish I had offered to hold on to it but the recipient was so pissed that I had pointed out the obviously fraudulent nature of the letter (backed up by and FBI fraud advisory) that she was disinclined to speak to me after I burst her bubble.

Their intent is to use a fraudulent Paypal account (either compromised or backed with a bogus card) to buy things from me, with the assumption that by the time PayPal figures it out, I've shipped the item.

There are also scams where they involve different escrow agents, but either way, seller gets screwed.

"Hi, I'm Bob. I'd like to pay for your product via BobPal, as for inexplicable reasons I am unable to use any reputable pay service. There may be some delay in processing my payment. To protect you, we will use Bob's Escrow service, an unadvertised business with a website clearly made by Microsoft Home Page two days ago and which operates out of a residential front in my home town. Please mark the product as 'Fecal Material,' so that my country's postal authorities won't charge me the taxes I would be expected to pay when receiving your product. Please ship at your own expense to a post office box, where I will be certain to pick up the package. Due to some problems that I am experiencing with my internet provider, I may not respond to e-mail sent to this address."

I was always surprised that the escrow services did not flourish.

In a way, they're just another party that has to be appeased as part of the process. I do use reputable ones for expensive stuff but shady types have tried to get me to use an "escrow service" that was clearly hacked together in fifteen minutes by somebody who's primary purpose was to capture my information, credit card and other.

So where are the major risks with accepting PayPal? We've taken some preorders this way, and at least one was suspicious - he had first tried credit card, which failed several times as he tried different addresses (which I could chalk up to an overly fussy verification system - he wasn't the only one). But then when he did PayPal, he emailed us afterward asking us to change the shipping address. Uh.
I'm not too worried since these are just pre-orders now, but what kind of trouble can they cause me? Hate to turn anyone away.

Keep your PayPal account linked to a bank account with nothing in it. Move your money to a non-connected bank account ASAP after you move it from your PayPal account to your bank account.

In the case of doing these small Craigslist or eBay sales, the problem isn't so much Paypal, but people using it to extend the time with which they can get away with shipping chicanery.

On CL I don't sell anything other than local, and nothing but US for eBay.

When accepting PayPal, ONLY ship to VERIFIED addresses. If the address isn't listed as a PayPal Verified Address, reject the order. Never allow them to change the shipping address after the order.

Seconded what CS says about verified addresses when dealing with physical product.

Semi-second what Tom says; it can get messy though when PayPal tries to recover $ from an empty account should it think there is a reason to do so. Although probably less messy than if there were a large balance there.

Thanks - great advice.

More on topic, anyone have/know where I can find a good price on a 27" Cinema Display (refurb is fine)? They only have refurbed Thunderbolt displays in the Apple Store, and I need the Mini Displayport version.

You guys are starting to scare me even more than I am usually scared. (Well cautious)
I have pledged to use/pay more in CASH this year. Not sure why. I like to change. In this case back - to cash.
Maybe it's my new LONDON UNDERGROUND mighty wallet?