Craigslist Funny

Yes, there are a few things you can find on Craigslist, but only if you first assume everything is a scam and the seller has to prove it isn't. The rule "if it's too good to be true, it's a scam" holds true.

For giggles, I searched "Canon 5D". Right away, there are some Mark III and Mark IV deals that you can not believe. The photos are generic. I did some digging. Most are scams.

In the upper left corner of the site is a drop-down box you can use to change your city. I used it to start selecting cities further and further away. I'm in New Orleans. After 7 or 8 clicks, I was looking at ads in Pennsylvania. Over and over again I saw the same photos with the same cameras at the same prices.

The funniest listing was where someone had copied one of these ads and put "SCAM ALERT" in the description (Kentucky, I think). In the description was the kind warning that these are all scams.

I know my sense of humor is weird. I found it funny. Maybe someone else will as well.

I'm not sure how the scam works, but I'm sure it involves high-pressure fast-talking on the part of the seller and me not acting like someone who actually knows photography. That, and a box with a brick in it. Or maybe just a guy with a gun.

I too find them hilarious. There's always the one who would offer you more (somes twice the asking price) if you so kindly accept their certified check and mail it them...LOL!

Always contact the issuing bank. Then ask your bank for confirmation when the check clears. Might take 5-10 business days. Then and only then will you mail anything to them.

But typically, you're getting a forged check.

Not only camera gear, but also cars and bikes and even apartments. Anything really that has a large demand and limited supply of luxury models. As a general rule you can’t verify the identity or location before they start requesting money under exceptional circumstances. For example, they are out of the country and can still ship it to you, or someone’s coming tomorrow but they’ll hold it for you if you send a deposit. Worst is wanting to meet in person for a cash deal at a random location. The sad thing is Craigslist staff could easily find these scams by searching themselves, but they don’t. When you see how widespread it is and how scams are the majority in some categories, it makes you wonder who is behind it and their skilled knowledge of using Craigslist. Read the Craigslist forum sometime and see how people vehemently support Craigslist having a hands-off attitude.