Craigslist posting question: I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for...

COHappyHiker

I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for the full amount to be paid by PayPal. I am really suspicious that this is a scam. Should I be?
And, by the way, I am asking $3700 for the camera (absolutely clean - no marks, <28,000 shutter releases), 3 batteries, battery charger, card reader, RRS base and 4 CFast cards.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Many such offers are scams. Only meet in person, preferably at a police station. Accept only cash.

Be very careful.

Andy

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If purchasing, I'd always be suspect of anything on CL. However, you're the seller. Once the amount is deposited into your paypal account, the money is yours. You can let the buyer know that the camera will be shipped within 36 hours of receiving the payment. This will allow you to withdraw the payment and put it in your bank.

I would also take very detailed photos of the camera from all angles prior to packing it. I would also send it registered and require a signature upon delivery. Then you have proof of its appearance and delivery.
--Bob

COHappyHiker wrote:

I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for the full amount to be paid by PayPal. I am really suspicious that this is a scam. Should I be?
And, by the way, I am asking $3700 for the camera (absolutely clean - no marks, <28,000 shutter releases), 3 batteries, battery charger, card reader, RRS base and 4 CFast cards.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

rmalarz wrote:

If purchasing, I'd always be suspect of anything on CL. However, you're the seller. Once the amount is deposited into your paypal account, the money is yours. You can let the buyer know that the camera will be shipped within 36 hours of receiving the payment. This will allow you to withdraw the payment and put it in your bank.
--Bob

Bob is right, but PayPal is not immune to faked deposits. I would still ask for cash.

Andy

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Whenever I sell anything on craigslist, it's cash only.
No cash, no sale period. And always meet in a public place and take someone with you.

will

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Some police stations will allow a room in their building, to conduct sales. During set times only. Where a police officer is nearby. While many have had success in buying and selling from Craigslist, some have conducted scams. Use caution with Craigslist.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Soul Dr. wrote:

....and take someone with you.

Absolutely. Your local police station is an excellent location. And, remember that you’ll have the cash afterward and be a potential robbery victim until you get to the bank. When I do one of these transactions, I carry my (licensed/registered/permitted) .380 Colt. Not paranoid, just careful. Which is why I prefer PayPal. Btw, when you get one of those immediate responses to a CL listing, odds are it’s a scam. I have found that insisting on a phone call with the buyer to tie down details gets rid of most of the scammers.

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

COHappyHiker wrote:

I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for the full amount to be paid by PayPal. I am really suspicious that this is a scam. Should I be?
And, by the way, I am asking $3700 for the camera (absolutely clean - no marks, <28,000 shutter releases), 3 batteries, battery charger, card reader, RRS base and 4 CFast cards.

Agree with all others. Cash only. Transact at your bank branch and deposit cash before you leave.

PhotoNat Loc: Santa Maria, CA

Hi. I usually insist on cash, local only, and meet in a public place like Starbucks, or the Police Dept. would be good too.
PhotoNat

BebuLamar

If I buy or sell on Craiglist I would only do it in cash and in person. No other means of payment nor shipping.

SonyBug

COHappyHiker wrote:

I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for the full amount to be paid by PayPal. I am really suspicious that this is a scam. Should I be?
And, by the way, I am asking $3700 for the camera (absolutely clean - no marks, <28,000 shutter releases), 3 batteries, battery charger, card reader, RRS base and 4 CFast cards.

The key is this. Do not respond or go to your paypal page from a link in the email. Open a new browser and log in to your paypal account to see if the payment is there. I had a case where the email looked like paypal, and after using it to log in to paypal, it looked like a payment was there. BUT, not when I opened a clean browser and logged in that way. It is possible to spoof the system to make you think you are at paypal when you are not. Also, you can take the payment and transfer it to your bank. That way you know for sure it is OK.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

COHappyHiker wrote:

I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for the full amount to be paid by PayPal. I am really suspicious that this is a scam. Should I be?
And, by the way, I am asking $3700 for the camera (absolutely clean - no marks, <28,000 shutter releases), 3 batteries, battery charger, card reader, RRS base and 4 CFast cards.

Paypal is very safe, once you have it in your account, your home free. I have been using Paypal since it began with no issues.
However, when you use paypal you give the buyer 30 days to be happy.
Generally speaking, craigslist is not the way I want to sell equipment that is that expensive.
I believe you would be better off selling it here and using paypal as a payment method.
Cash on delivery can be counterfeit and you will not know it until you go to deposit it and then your out your camera and money.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

I sell things on Craigslist all the time, you need to be specific in your post no checks, no money orders and no certified checks, cash only local pick up at a place of your choice (I.e.) preferably the local police station in your case I would put the camera on eBay and if you have a pay pal account you are sure to get your money .

hammond

People claiming that Paypal is safe "once you have the money in your account", are misled (despite whatever Paypal states as their official policies).

And it's not just 30 days to dispute an order - I had a buyer try to scam a claim nearly 5 months after sending payment.

If the buyer attempts to file a claim, this could hold up your money for weeks or even months, even if Paypal decides in your favor (I've been through this once before, and never again).

I've sold several iPhones on Craigslist when I upgraded to new models (for my wife). I only accept payment in cash, in person, at a branch of my bank (money goes straight into my account so I'm not walking around with cash in my pocket).

Sure, this buyer may be legit: but for that kind of money, why risk it?

Also, I had better luck selling my phones on Facebook Marketplace.
You might want to give that a try as well.

ggab Loc: ?

COHappyHiker wrote:

I put my Canon 1DX Mark 2 for sale with batteries, battery charger, and other items on Craigslist and received an almost immediate reply with an offer for the full amount to be paid by PayPal. I am really suspicious that this is a scam. Should I be?
And, by the way, I am asking $3700 for the camera (absolutely clean - no marks, <28,000 shutter releases), 3 batteries, battery charger, card reader, RRS base and 4 CFast cards.

Make the deal, however insist on payment clearing before sending the camera.