Craigslist....sometimes good...sometimes bad

Tom and I went to look at this car yesterday evening: http://orlando.craigslist.org/car/724340046.html

Or should I say, we didn't look at that car. The above linked picture is a 2-door DOHC sport coupe. What we found, after we drove an hour was a 4-door SOHC base car. The a/c didn't even blow cold. It (the car) was held together with electrical tape and drywall screws. The ad stated no rust and no dents. Guess what campers? it had both.

I suspect that the guy was actually just a car dealer using craigslist as cheap advertising. The car was parked in a Walmart lot right next to three other cars that had similar shoe polish for sale text on the windows----but different numbers. Sneaky berkeleyer.

At least Tom and I got to discuss our plans for the impending zombie-filled apocalypse.

Bait and switch much?

Can you report the sneaky berkeleyer to C-List, maybe banish him?

Dan

914Driver wrote: Can you report the sneaky berkeleyer to C-List, maybe banish him? Dan

Sadly (or maybe luckily?) CL can't (won't) do anything. of course you local dealer licensing bureau can and will do something.

internetautomart wrote:

914Driver wrote: Can you report the sneaky berkeleyer to C-List, maybe banish him? Dan

Sadly (or maybe luckily?) CL can't (won't) do anything. of course you local dealer licensing bureau can and will do something.

You could try flagging the listing as spam, then create another listed detailing the bait and switch.

At the very least it would piss the guy off. Best case, CL removes the add.

Per, once you looked at the car, could you contact the seller? If so, ask about the confusion with the pictures, may be an honest mistake.

Attitude check, if he's flippant, arrogant or apologenic, react accordingly. Or just open a can of whoopass an him.

He was there in person. Honestly, he acted like a dirtbag dirt-lot car salesman. In the vein of "you knew I was a snake, why are you surprised I bit you?" I just thanked him and left.

Consider it a cautionary tale--I've got badder fish to fry.

Per

d_jabsd wrote:

internetautomart wrote:

914Driver wrote: Can you report the sneaky berkeleyer to C-List, maybe banish him? Dan

Sadly (or maybe luckily?) CL can't (won't) do anything. of course you local dealer licensing bureau can and will do something.

You could try flagging the listing as spam, then create another listed detailing the bait and switch. At the very least it would piss the guy off. Best case, CL removes the add.

and then they flag you down too. been through it. I get flagged all the time because of my wanted ads I just repost them again, and again, and again until I get what I want.

Sure glad he pointed out in the ad it was a "4cycle" car (in addition to being a 4 cylinder).

"Moving in two days." Yeah...can't take the walmart parking lot with him, huh?

Fortunately, I don't run into too many folks like that...I exclusively shop for cars that cost less than what dealers want to mess with ;). On the other hand...you get a real mix of folks selling sub-$1K cars. Anywhere from well-to-do's to folks needing money for the next binge.

Clem

ClemSparks wrote: Sure glad he pointed out in the ad it was a "4cycle" car (in addition to being a 4 cylinder).

Well, considering it was in fact a neon, there could have been some confusion...

I agree with internetautomart. I kept finding adds that were listed as "owner" but when you search the phone number you see the "owner" is selling 8 other cars. I posted an add warning other buyers and the post quickly got flagged down. There are enough dealers doing this to flag down anyone who tries to warn others. I flag as many of them as I can catch, but there are tons...

I don't know if this particular scam is appearing elsewhere, but here in Memphis I often (as in DAILY) see ads for things like '06 LS400....$2980. The prices are ALWAYS that same $2980, whether it's for a nearly new M-B or nearly new Ford, like someone thinks that $3,000 is all that folks here can/will spend. The ads say they are local, but in the pix used for the car, there are PALM TREES in the background. I flag these ads when I come across them, and even post "ads" asking how stupid are folks who fall for this garbage....I GET FLAGGED by these lowlife M-Fers.

This is why I gave up bothering with craigslist. I suppose it was too nice an idea to work out.

Per Schroeder wrote: At least Tom and I got to discuss our plans for the impending zombie-filled apocalypse.

You need rice. As I understand it the undead, or walking dead or whatever you call them -- "vital-sign-challenged persons" -- are inherently obsessive compulsive and will have to stop and pick up the rice. Then you run them over with the Battle Wagon.

If the folks in the zombie movies would just do some basic research, they'd be in way better shape.

World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide are great reads. WWZ more than the 2nd.

I chased down a 4wd mazda protege on Craigslist, the piece-o-E36M3 dealer described the car as "in great condidtion" and we got down there and the entire drivers side was caved in, rockerpanel bent in past the rear pax seat, huge wrinkle in the A pillar, I couldn't BELIEVE the gall of that guy.

Oh yeah he wanted 1700 bucks for it.

ZSG came out first, WWZ was next. Both are great.

I've got a machete and a bicycle. I'm set.

Per

I see a trend toward postapocalyptic zombie conversation here on the boardz...

Back to CL. I post a ratty (really ratty) old supra and imediately get an email from someone asking if the "item" is still available.

Yeah...sure, send me a fraudulent cashiers check for the price plus the shipping and I get to keep the excess for my troubles. Yes, I'm a man of highest integrity and I'm happy that you're already sure you will love the "item."

Nobody EVER refers to a vehicle as an "item" in my world.

Sheesh!

Clem

My CL story of the week involve MY ad :

http://lansing.craigslist.org/car/721356420.html

I thought I was pretty honest about the condition... I had 74 emails asking if the car had any problems and one that said that his Nigerian uncle was sending the check "immadeitley".

A nice lady came by work and said it was exactly what she was looking for and wants to pick it up next friday.

The problem with the bicycle and machete is the balancing act when you are swinging for power. I strongly suggest a tricycle and machete for hunting zombies.

Who's GTI is that in the background?

It belongs to Ken Courtland, He also has a silver MK1. He is our in house autocross ace.

Nice kid, sweet cars.

And now it's listed as a 4-door.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/car/725419716.html

That pic is still not of the car.

Maybe he's more going for "THIS IS WHAT A NEON LOOKS LIKE"

We have a local Dealer/jerkoff who lists all of his cars as $500... Two year old Saabs, Lexus' and F150's... Open the ad and of course it's the down payment ... No price given.

Makes Looking for the next Babe rally car difficult.

Hopefully the transmission doesn't need to be repalaced, just rehomed or replaced. Repalacing sounds expensive.