WTB ad response scams?

[asm777]

So, I've received a few PMs regarding the WTB ad that I have currently posted...

A few months ago, exchanged PMs and was promised some photos... then absolutely no response back to several PMs. Gave my phone number and e-mail address and didn't think much of it as the member had been on Calguns for a while and had mostly positive feedback (97% with negative from 2013). Why message about a possible sale and then just disappear?

Some PMs with members who are on the opposite end of the state with photos and sad realization that PPT would be very challenging due to logistics...

But yesterday, received the following PM from a brand new member with no posts or history (name and e-mail hidden below) that threw up some red flags...

Hi,

Emailing about your AD .Please contact *** ***** on *******@gmail.com regarding your request . I Purchased items from him and they arrived in TOP condition.

Thanks

Seems kind of odd that a brand new account would be created to send me a PM to contact 3rd party to purchase an off roster handgun....?

Are they trying to get my e-mail address? For what purpose?

Anyone else have this happen?

[Garv]

Probably scam.

Want you to send money based on a photo of someone else's gun at times.

There are a few threads on it here.

Give the mods. the name.

[asm777]

Done! Don't know why I didn't think to report the PM.

If only it were so easy as sending money to have an off roster gun "arrive in TOP condition"... =)

[xxINKxx]

Anytime Ive ever posted a gun for sale here I instantly get a ton of 0 post people who signed up that very same day saying they want it and they always seem sketchy

I always ignore and wait for someone with an actual post count to contact me.

[jdg30]

So, I've received a few PMs regarding the WTB ad that I have currently posted...

A few months ago, exchanged PMs and was promised some photos... then absolutely no response back to several PMs. Gave my phone number and e-mail address and didn't think much of it as the member had been on Calguns for a while and had mostly positive feedback (97% with negative from 2013). Why message about a possible sale and then just disappear?

Some PMs with members who are on the opposite end of the state with photos and sad realization that PPT would be very challenging due to logistics...

But yesterday, received the following PM from a brand new member with no posts or history (name and e-mail hidden below) that threw up some red flags...



Seems kind of odd that a brand new account would be created to send me a PM to contact 3rd party to purchase an off roster handgun....?

Are they trying to get my e-mail address? For what purpose?

Anyone else have this happen?

WTB threads already seem like trouble to me. You can find most guns for sale in the normal WTS forum if you are patient. When you say you want to buy a certain gun, it seems that most people will try to rip you off because they didn't have the gun you are looking for For sale in the first place.

People with no itrader ratings usually seem like flakes to me. I have a lot of transactions and have never had a bad transaction. The key to good transactions is communication before the deal. If someone is not reliable with their communication with you, then move on. It is pretty easy to tell who is reliable and who isn't. Use your intuition to guide you for dealing with people.

(Edit, the bad transaction I have had was when some dude tried to say the brand new steel frame magazines I shipped to him in a padded envelope were received smashed by the Post office so he wanted a refund. I told him no, his claim to me was ridiculous, and that's the last I ever heard from him because he was trying to lie and rip me off.)

[colt11]

Sellers get busy sometimes and can't remember who wanted which pics, so you can send a second request for pics, but I would avoid redponding to an email unless it shows up in their Calguns account home page. Recommend never sending money until you check the sellers feedback score, and they have sufficient feedback to make you comfortable. As a seller, the problem I've noticed is some people contact me and are desperate to get pictures of a firearm in essencially new condition, and then I never hear back from them(?), not sure why they wanted the pics?

[jdg30]

Sellers get busy sometimes and can't remember who wanted which pics, so you can send a second request for pics, but I would avoid redponding to an email unless it shows up in their Calguns account home page. Recommend never sending money until you check the sellers feedback score, and they have sufficient feedback to make you comfortable. As a seller, the problem I've noticed is some people contact me and are desperate to get pictures of a firearm in essencially new condition, and then I never hear back from them(?), not sure why they wanted the pics?

Good example, use your intuition when dealing with people. Normal people who really want to buy or sell something will usually respond reliably and have good communication. Just ignore ridiculous requests for information.

I always take good pictures of what I am selling so there is no question and describe every thing the best I can. If someone would ask for more pictures when I already provided good ones, I would ignore them and move on unless they seem genuine and you have left an important detail out of the description.