I'm new to CL, would you respond to this?

[skydog]

got this this morning:

You still have it?. I'd like to buy it. If you would like to sell.
I need it. So you can text me.Thank you

 

[T Dizz]

is it a local #?

 

[SealCove]

That is a pretty typical CL fishing for an idiot type message. I get them anytime I sell anything, but they are painful obvious and I just ignore.

 

[Benz2112]

What is it? I really want to know now, because i might need it.

 

[wox]

Nah, like 98% chance of messages like that (referring to "it" or "the item") being some kind of dumb scam.

 

[skydog]

is it a local #?

Gmail account

 

[TubeStack]

I wouldn’t respond.

 

[bluejazzoid]

If you would like to sell.

I would respond back [email!] saying "sorry - I would not like to sell. thanks."

 

[TubeStack]

I wouldn’t respond.

To expand on this:

- message is too generic (“it,” etc)
- rushing/pressure vibe (“I need it”)
- wanting immediately for you to text them instead of responding via CL

 

[mc5nrg]

Obvious scam response and your move is to just ignore. Your clue is no mention of what you are selling and the stilted language that could be sent to any ad robotically.

 

[Highnumbers]

Yeah, I will ALWAYS reference what the item is, when reaching out to a seller because any vague references to "this" "it" or especially "the item" are red flags for a scam/phishing email.

Sadly I can't include my phone number in CL ads anymore, as a seller because you now get inundated with scam calls and texts.

 

[tarheelalum]

Its a scam.

 

[prodrigu]

Anything other than an offer to meet (neutral place) and pay with cash should be immediately ignore in my opinion.

 

[sonhenry]

Yeah. Scam. No. Unless you're bored then try and sell them really off the wall....

 

[whatizitman]

Gmail account

Hard pass. Delete it. Go back to whatever you were doing before.

EDIT: Do not respond in any shape or form.

 

[OM Flyer]

No, no, no, and no. Bot-generated scam to get your email address, nothing more.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Whenever I get those types of messages, I reply through the Craigslist email, not via text or my personal email. 95% of the time it's a scam, but there's no harm in replying through the email, and 5% of the time it turns out to be a legit buyer who just doesn't know any better, which is why I do still reply to the email.

But don't ever text them until after it's been established that this is a normal human and not a scammer.

 

[loveme1965]

Never reply to anything where you wonder if it’s real. The best case scenario is that your time is wasted. I also never respond to any message of “Do you still have it?” and nothing else. In fact, never reply to any CL response that doesn’t include a name and phone number.

 

[QuickDraw]

If the inquiry doesn't scream legit, always ignore.

 

[ShredSquatch]

I respond to those with... I'm at work can't txt. Which item, I have several for sale?

~ss