Does this sound like a scam to you? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

alltherage · 07-13-2009, 08:01 AM

I don't know if this link will work: http://www.canadatrader.com/result/d...calgaryalberta

But essentially this is an 06 Nissan Frontier, in great shape, RWD, 37,000kms and this guy only wants $4,800 for it. Yeah... way to good to be true. But then I emailed him and he said he wants a quick sale because his daughter is sick and he doesn't care about the value of the truck he just needs money.

I asked him when I could view the truck and he sends this:

Quote:

I want to tell you that we will use eBay in this transaction in order for both of us to be 100% protected and insured by them.eBay will supervise this transaction so there won`t be any problems.Please understand me that I am passing through a difficult situation,like i told you i just moved in Montreal Quebec at my wife`s parents and the car is located here too.I will send the car,you will have 5 days of inspection in which you can decide if you buy the car or not.If you won`t like my car(not your case)you announce eBay and you send the car back on my cost,if you want to keep it you announce eBay you send the money(payment method and all the details will be set up by eBay)and you keep the car.eBay will send you an invoice at your email in which you will see how to start the this transaction and in which you can see that this transaction is legit.You will have my personal guarantee you will receive the car in max 3 days.All documents, including owner's manual, clear title and a bill of sale on your name will be provided along with the car.Your funds will be 100% insured by eBay who will hold your payment until you receive and test the car.
Please get back to me with your full name , full shipping address so i can forward your details to eBay in order for you to receive the invoice.

I am waiting for your reply.Asap

So what's going on here? Is this a scam? Why wouldn't he just sell it through ebay in the first place?

I just don't know enough about this, I've never bought through ebay. This just seems too good to be true.

stang · 07-13-2009, 08:02 AM

scam... I dunno exactly why, just really fishy. Touched my internal scam sense.

Edit: Maybe its because if he REALLY is in Montreal then he could sell it for 4,600 there without having to go through all the trouble of shipping it. I wouldnt ship my car to Montreal if I could sell it locally.

Glenflame · 07-13-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltherage

I don't know if this link will work: http://www.canadatrader.com/result/d...calgaryalberta

But essentially this is an 06 Nissan Frontier, in great shape, RWD, 37,000kms and this guy only wants $4,800 for it. Yeah... way to good to be true. But then I emailed him and he said he wants a quick sale because his daughter is sick and he doesn't care about the value of the truck he just needs money.

I asked him when I could view the truck and he sends this:

So what's going on here? Is this a scam? Why wouldn't he just sell it through ebay in the first place?

I just don't know enough about this, I've never bought through ebay. This just seems too good to be true.

100% yes.

There are always some 'good' stories behind the scam.

ken0042 · 07-13-2009, 08:06 AM

Why don't you tell him that your friend in Montreal will go have a look at the vehicle for you; and get his address.

My gut- scam. I have seen people sell cars for cheap just to move them, but at that price he could walk into Montreal's equivilant of Farmer Jones' and get some cash for it; or at least sell it locally.

Jimmy Stang · 07-13-2009, 08:10 AM

Absolutely a scam. It just doesn't add up.

Like ken0042 said - see if he'd let a friend go and have a look. I bet that you'll get a) no response or b) some excuse as to why that isn't possible.

Any CP-folk from Montreal on the forum that might be up for a little covert operation?

alltherage · 07-13-2009, 08:11 AM

Thanks for the poll.

Yeah, seems strange. You would think that even at a car auction he could easily put this as "no reserve" and sell it for way more than this. If he was in CGY i would go see it tonight with cash in hand.

DOK · 07-13-2009, 08:13 AM

This is a scam. The use of ebay is the key. If they wanted a quick sale, they wouldn't care about a refund for you. Not to mention that your looking at autotrader.ca and he's talking about ebay.

I've been looking for an RV and had nearly the identical emails back. I tried to see if they were a scam, asked them if my friend could look at the unit, or if we could talk by phone, and nothing back. I tried hard, saying that my friend would buy it (this unit was in Halifax), pay cash on site to rush the deal if the unit looked good, again, nothing.

And who on earth would cover the cost of shipping a vehicle from the east to the west, and if you don't like it, then ship it back? That's an extraordinary amount of money right there.

GreenTeaFrapp · 07-13-2009, 08:14 AM

I'd be suspicious based on his poor writing skills alone.

Pastiche · 07-13-2009, 08:17 AM

Scam.

No question.

shane_c · 07-13-2009, 08:17 AM

I'd say scam. I've noticed a lot of near brand new vehicles on Kijiji here in Halifax for $4800 as well.

alltherage · 07-13-2009, 08:20 AM

Looks like there are palm trees in the background of the pictures too... does Montreal have palm trees? Hahaha...

Machiavelli · 07-13-2009, 08:24 AM

Scam....I've gotten almost the exact e-mail from other "too good to be true" vehicle ads.

Run away.

Cowperson · 07-13-2009, 08:24 AM

Probably a scam . . . .

Using Auto Traders own search engine, here's what 2006 Nissan Frontiers are selling for in Quebec right now. The mileage would seem to suggest something in the area of $18,000 to $24,000 would be a more appropriate price.

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/r...ideoonly=False

You should query Auto Trader and see what they say . . . I don't imagine they like seeing their site used for this kind of thing. Or send a link to the RCMP fraud squad, since this would be a fraud crossing provincial boundaries. They'd probably be interested as well.

Cowperson

HalifaxDrunk · 07-13-2009, 08:29 AM

I agree, it's a scam for sure.

However if your still looking I have 08 Nissan Frontier, in great shape, RWD, 13,500kms. For you I'll give the CP discount - $2,700.

Send me a cheque and I'll personally drive it to out you from Halifax.

Regulator75 · 07-13-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltherage

Looks like there are palm trees in the background of the pictures too... does Montreal have palm trees? Hahaha...

Plus if you zoom in on the speedometer, it appears to be built for use in the states (MPH has the largest font). Not that it matters, but just another FYI that this SUV is not in Canada.

alltherage · 07-13-2009, 08:30 AM

Yeah, a quick google search for "ebay scam" came up with this on the first page:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r220...ay-Motors-Scam

I have emailed him to say that I have a friend in Montreal who can look at it today. No response yet, which is funny because he responded to my other email in less than 5 minutes.

DOK · 07-13-2009, 08:33 AM

Oh, speaking of follow up. I emailed four times, to their "report a suspicious seller" email address, in regards to two emails on the possible RV scams with autotrader.ca and got no response back. The last was to tell them that it was my fourth email and I wondered if their lack of any kind of a response was helping people pull scams, seeing as it didn't seem to matter much to them. Buyer beware, sadly.

DOK · 07-13-2009, 08:36 AM

Just for fun, here's the two emails I got from two separate sellers.

#1

Hello,

First of all,thank you for your interest in purchasing my RV. I know that there are numerous offers on the web and I'm glad that you choose to contact me regarding your willingness to purchase. I am a private seller not a shop and I had for the moment the privilege to buy this RV for a low cost from a bankrupt store so that you have the opportunity to purchase from me at a great saving from the original price.

We bought it along with others in order to make a showroom, but life had another plan for us. My wife was promoted so we had to move to another town and we do not have time to make our showroom. Besides, there are a lot of things which have priority now, so, this RV has to go.The RV is in like new condition.The price is $ 8200.00 CAD.

Here are a few information about my RV :

Stock: 300hp Slide
Model: Tradewinds 7371 300HP
Mileage: 45749
Exterior: White
Chassis: Freightliner
Interior: Tan
Engine: 6 - Cyl. - L6, 7.2L (439 CID)
Drive Train: Rear Wheel Drive
Transmission: Automatic - 6 speed overdrive Allsion
Doors: 1 door

Here are some pictures and information about the RV:

#2

Hello,

First of all,thank you for your interest in purchasing my RV. I know that there are numerous offers on the web and I'm glad that you choose to contact me regarding your willingness to purchase. I am a private seller not a shop and I had for the moment the privilege to buy this RV for a low cost from a bankrupt store so that you have the opportunity to purchase from me at a great saving from the original price.

We bought it along with others in order to make a showroom, but life had another plan for us. My wife was promoted so we had to move to another town and we do not have time to make our showroom. Besides, there are a lot of things which have priority now, so, this RV has to go.The RV is in like new condition.The price is $ 4000.00 CAD.

Here are a few information about my RV :

Year : 1999
Mileage: 45,846 miles
Floor Plan Options
Front Living Room Center Kitchen Rear Queen Bed
Bunk Over Cab Split Bath w/ Shower
Exterior Options
Electric Step Fiberglass Exterior Rear Hitch
Rear Ladder Battery
Interior Options
Double Door Refrig Booth Dinette Kitchen Tile Floor
Bathroom Tile Floor Oven Microwave
Stove Swivel Chair Jackknife Sofa
LPG Gas/Smoke Detector Sleeps 8
Driver Area Options
A/C Power Locks Power Steering
Power Windows Tilt Cruise
Clock Drivers Front Airbag Variable Wipers
Mechanical
Ducted A/C Furnace Generator
Gas Water Heater Gasoline Fuel 4 KW generator
Gas generator 1 A/C units

Here are some pictures and information about the RV:

Glenflame · 07-13-2009, 08:36 AM

Hi all,

They stated they are in Montreal or Harlifax, but who knows where they are. They mighe just live in NE of Calgary.

The claimed location does not mean they live there.

alltherage · 07-13-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Hey Andrew,

I have a friend in Montreal who might be able to view the vehicle for me. Would this be possible this week? Also, was this truck manufactured in Canada or the USA?

Quote:

The truck was manufactured in Canada. The problem is that it is already at the shipping company in a container ready to be shipped and your friend can't see it. If you are ready to buy it i'm waiting for your full name full address and eBay will send you all the details about how to make the payment.

Thanks!

lol!