My initial inquiry to Craigslist listing:
Hi,
I’m interested in knowing more about this vehicle. It’s listed on craigslist at $3000. Is that the correct price? Why are you selling this vehicle at this price? I would have to believe there is something wrong with this vehicle to be selling it for $3000. Are there problems? What has been the maintenance record on this vehicle? Have manufacturer’s recommended service been done? Are there any additional photos you can share to show the features of this Highlander?
Thanks,
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Her Response:
Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding my car. It is in perfect condition, there’s not even a scratch or any dents on it. Everything about it is in perfect condition. I have clear title for it, no liens or loans.
The car is priced to sell quickly and the final price that I’m asking for it is $3,000 including shipping and handling costs. My husband died 3 months ago and me and my daughter decided to sell the house and move to my sister’s. The car reminds us very much of my husband but we finally understood that we have to move on with our lives. Although my husband will have his place in our hearts forever. I can’t afford to take days off my work for this sale so i’m trying to sell it online.
If you are really interested in purchasing the car please reply to this email and i will provide further instructions regarding payment and delivery.
Regards!
Thea Upshaw
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My Response:
Thank-you for your reply. However, I will need to see the vehicle myself and have my mechanic check it out before making a decision to buy. If this is amenable to you, then please let me know of a time and place where I can view and test drive the vehicle and I’ll arrange to take it for an inspection.
Thanks,
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Scam exposed:
Please take a few moments and read my email carefully, I know it’s quite long, but I think it’s important that you understand everything before you commit to purchase.
I have to let you know that i listed all over US because shipping is included in the price.
The car is in Albuquerque, NM and from there it will be shipped to my buyer’s address. I have registered the car with eBay’s Protection Program so a local pick-up is not an option.This transaction is covered by eBay’s purchase protection program up to $5,500 and if something goes wrong in this transaction you will be fully refunded. In the invoice you will have the details on how to make a refundable payment and shipping back the car will be my concern. I strongly assure you it will not be the case for a refund. I have used eBay in the past and all my transactions ended successfully. You pay to eBay and they will transfer the funds to me only after you receive the car at your address.
The financial part of our transaction is going through eBay and here are the steps:
- I need your full name, shipping address and phone#;
- I will forward this information to eBay purchase protection department and they will start our transaction;
- eBay sends you the invoice with payment details for our transaction;
- after they secure the payment, they will notify me and I will start shipping. Shipping will take no more than 5 days (2 days to prepare the shipping and 3 days for the shipping depending on your location).
- after you receive the car you will have another 7 days to inspect it.
- when the inspection period ends, eBay contacts you and if there are any issues with the car, they will fully refund you within 3 business days and the car will be shipped back at my expense. If all is good with the car which I’m sure it will be, they will assist you with the title transfer and release the payment to me.
I apologize if it seems like I’m pushing on this deal but I really want to be sure that everything is clarified before any further steps. I’m a serious seller and I prefer to deal with a serious buyer.
If you agree with these terms, please send me your full name, shipping address and phone numbers (both cell number and home number), in order to start the transaction! eBay will send you important guidelines and instructions regarding the protection program and payment instructions.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
P.S.: Here you have more picture of the car: http://goo.gl/YILZTO (In case the link doesn’t open just click and paste the URL into your browser)
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My final message:
Sorry, you meet all the criteria of the classic scam. Go try it somewhere else while I report this to both craigslist and eBay.
Scam reported at FightTheScams.com
2006 Toyota Highlander Limited