potential car buyer

[davidfcooper]

Does this sound legit?

I received the following reply to my nyc craigslist car ad from a potential buyer in south nj across the Deleware from notheast philly airport (my responses in itialics):


Hello,
I will love to make an enquiry on this car before i purchase it,so give me answer to the questions stated below :
ARE U THE BONAFIDE OWNER OF THIS CAR?
Yes, I am.

WHAT IS THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THIS CAR?
It runs well. There are a few minor cosmetic blemishes.

HOW MANY YEAR DID YOU OWN THE CAR FOR ?
I received the car as a gift from my father in February 2004. My dad bought it from his auto mechanic and owned it for four years . I have service records for the six years that my dad and I owned the car.

WHAT ARE THE FAULT OF THE CAR?
One of the engine mounts should be replaced (~$65 job).

HOW MUCH DID U WANT TO SELL THE CAR?
$1850.

WHY DID U DECIDED TO SELL THE CAR?
We have an opportunity to acquire a younger used car.

HOW MANY MILES CAN THE CAR TRAVEL?
A couple of years ago we drove to Wahsington, D.C., we've driven it on vacations to Vermont and the Poconos, and in May we drove to the western suburbs of Boston; my in-laws live in central CT and we visit them every few months. In model years this is a 12 year old car. There is no way to precisely predict its longevity.

To which he replied:

"Ok,
Thanks to read from you and also thanks for the prompt reply concerning the sales of your car.Now that you have informed me about the car condition,i will add $100 to your asking price I will like to purchase the car from you as soon as possible.Kindly delete the advert from the website today so that we can proceed.My mode of payment will be via Electronic Check Online(Qchex) Read more about echeck at www.qchex.com .I will be waiting for your name and address and also validemail for Qchex plus phone number so that i will send the Echeck today.You will have to purchase some supplies to have it printed today before cashing it at your bank.The supplies are Check Paper and Versa Ink or Toner Ink at Shopping Mall or Stationery Store at cost of $40 I will wait for your bank to clear and verify the Echeck before we proceed with the shipment.You can also call my mobile number @ (phone #)"

I created a qchex account but did not give qchex any bank info. I figure the only things we have to lose are the cost of printing supplies, a potential bounced check fee, and the lost opportunity to reach other buyers by removing the ad from craigslist. Would it be safer to request that he overnight us a certified check?

Comments

[quietann.livejournal.com]

it's a scam (can't remember the details, but it's a variant on a room-mate scam that was going around a few years back...)

[davidfcooper.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ann. The consensus at the question club is that this is a scam:
http://community.livejournal.com/thequestionclub/13702064.html

[ragecarnuu.livejournal.com]

I never did a qchex before, before i never had anyone on ebay stiff me on other e-checks.

[luckycee.livejournal.com]

I recall seeing warnings about this sort of thing before. I don't remember the precise mechanics of it, but there are scams that involve electronic checks. Don't do it.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

Scam.

[laffinman.livejournal.com]

You were wise to question this one
One flag that raised my suspicions........the overly formal-ness of the wording......nigerians are famous for that.
another flag: they add extra comments like, "remove your craiglist posting" to 'CON'-vince you that they are serious.
Another flag: "I will add an extra $100.00" pressing your greed button.