A Recent Experience on Craig's List (aka Tanner Butler Saves the Day)

I recently listed my daughter's wedding dress for sale on Craig's List. What follows is an exchange with a [potential] customer.

from Karly Naylor naylorly04@gmail.com via craigslist.org  to sale-fj9vs-2618568190@craigslist.org date Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 4:30 PM subject BRAND NEW Custom-made Short Wedding Dress - $450 (Hurricane) mailed-by craigslist.org

Hello there,

           Just saw your ad on craigslist. I really like this dress,its good looking. Could I possibly get more pics of it?

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On Thur, Se 29, 2011 at 1:13 pm, my Reply:

Karly,

Sorry I am slow in getting back to you. I was trying to pin down my busy daughter to take pictures of her in the dress so you can see it on a person. If you are still interested... we can send those later today.

Thanks.

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On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 2:29 PM, Karly Naylor wrote:

Hello,

       Thanks for your response. I  would love to buy it,i`ll like to have the wedding dress alone. This is my first thing am buying off craigslist.org


I really want to come see it and try it on but i cannot as i am out of town due to work and preparation for my wedding. I think i have seen enough pictures so far so i would love to buy it off from you as will be relying on your judgment.


   My method of payment would be through a Certified Check since am not around and can not remit cash from here as this is coming impromptu.  Please let me know the final asking price so i can make arrangements as i will handle the shipment myself and i will be sending my mover down to pick up the dress at your place.


 Kindly provide me with your full name and mailing address to which the Certified check  would be sent so we can wrap this up real quick as the wedding is just around the corner.
NB: I also want to inform you that there will be an excess amount of funds which you will forward to my mover (for shipment purposes).

Karly.

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On Mon, Oct 3 at 11:15 am, my REPLY:

KarLY,
Okay sounds good. You have a deal!


I am excited and think you will LOVE this dress. Since you are relying on my judgment (smart move), I think that even though you are buying the dress without trying it on, I'm sure it will fit you perfectly because it is sort of a magic dress. it will fit whatever person puts it on (sort of like that movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants...have seen it?). Also, since your wedding is just around the corner, and you waited until the last minute to find a dress, I am so happy you found something in the nick of time. I can imagine your relief!  That is just fine to have your mover pick up the dress. It sounds like you are a pretty special customer to have such an accommodating mover. Please tell them thanks... that will really save me time from having to package it.


Here are just a couple more things to get this transaction taken care of:
1. I have had to raise the price to $750 since I listed it on Craig's List because I failed to account for the magic properties.
2. I will not be giving you or your movers or any of your other accomplices cash back.
3. I will be reporting you for fraud.


If you are still interested, let me know.
Thanks.

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Dang dumb dishonest people.

Thank heavens I had just attended my friend's important Eagle Project. Tanner Butler, an awesome local high school student, organized a community fair on protecting citizens from fraud. We heard about the latest scams from bankers and cops.

Jeff, the bank manager, told me about a popular scheme where buyers from sites like Craig's List and Ebay will pay with a check written out for more than the purchase and request cash back. In a few days, the bank (where the seller cashed the check) will demand full re-payment, because the check won't clear.

Remember the mantra Caveat Emptor: Let the Buyer Beware. Now remember my new mantra:

Seller's Be Savvy

Thank you Tanner Butler!!