[RESOLVED] Does This Sound Like a Scam (via Gumtree)?

Windows7forever on 23/05/2018 - 06:22
Last edited 25/05/2018 - 20:50 by 2 other users

I am selling a guitar on Gumtree and receive a message from someone who joined in 2018, who asked me:

"I'm interested in the guitar, but in the CBD working 'till Friday than going home to Bali. Any chance you can deliver to my hotel in Darling Harbour?"

TBH, I'm happy to personally deliver to him if he pays the listed price in cash and we meet in the hotel lobby (so I don't get mugged). I'd imagine he is some time poor businessman and would like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Is there anything else that can go wrong or that I should be aware of? Counterfeit notes? Getting followed back to the train at night from someone who knows I have the cash on me.

It's only a $500 guitar so not super expensive but I can be pretty suspicious of other people's motives.

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Comments

  • Windows7forever on 23/05/2018 - 21:09
    +139

    Thanks for the feedback guys.
    I can report that the sale went smoothly and without any hiccups.
    The buyer was there at the agreed time, we met in the lobby, he was very happy with the item based on his visual inspection and proceeded to hand over the cash before wishing me farewell and going back to his room.
    My friend was going to act as a wingman but came too late = fail.
    I gotta say this was the first time I have arranged a public meet up so I was a bit wary but I would do it again, but only for the right price and not without some background checking prior to meeting!

    • bobbified on 23/05/2018 - 21:21
      +27

      Thanks for coming back to us with the outcome! :)

    • randombrick on 24/05/2018 - 07:57
      +43

      Plot twist! OP got mugged and had his identity stolen. This post is from an imposter. OP is probably at the bottom of Darling Harbour.

      • TheRealCher on 26/05/2018 - 15:23
        +1

        But is well lit by vivid…

    • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2018 - 09:07
      +19

      Time to look for a new friend.

    • try2bhelpful on 24/05/2018 - 10:49

      Glad it worked out for you. Sounds like you ticked the right boxes to try to keep yourself safe. The wingman is generally there in case the person grabs the device and tries to run away with it; I think the guitar would be a bit cumbersome for a good get away :).

    • Scab on 24/05/2018 - 12:55
      +8

      this was the first time I have arranged a public meet up

      That's how I got into the swingers scene, all started with an innocent Gumtree meet.

      • xoom on 25/05/2018 - 08:20
        +4

        I must be doing something wrong. I keep ending up in a boring tupperware party.

    • biozet on 25/05/2018 - 08:18
      +2

      did he invite you back to his room?

    • htc on 26/05/2018 - 08:18

      Fairy tale ending

  • bobbified on 23/05/2018 - 06:34
    +7

    TBH, I'm happy to personally deliver to him if he pays the listed price in cash and we meet in the hotel lobby (so I don't get mugged).

    Well, what did he say when you asked him about doing it that way?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 24/05/2018 - 00:13
      +78

      tank you frend. i came to sydeny for my mothers funeral and i dont have any cash. i will give you the money plus $200 extra bank transfer and show you the reciept. hurry because i go back home tomorrow. god bless

      • npnp on 24/05/2018 - 03:08
        +7

        Now this clearly sounds dodgy. Cash pick up only, that's my rule on Gumtree. I've done some bank transfer deals but NEVER as a seller.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2018 - 10:51
        +6

        'god bless' Anyone who says that at the end of a sentence should be avoided, unless its your Auntie.
        If your actually prepared to deliver (I wouldn't), then the least the buyer can do is pay you cash. I would not deal with this person at all.

        • Kangal on 26/05/2018 - 19:14

          It should be especially if your auntie.

      • AlanHB on 25/05/2018 - 08:54
        +2

        Scammers always tend to pile on the excuses until they conflict.

        He is working in the CBD till Friday.

        But he came to Sydney for his mother's funeral.

        And going to Bali on Fri.

        You can tell a story about an extremely portable job that requires him to be in a specific location and a late plane booking to travel overseas in the week after your mum's death.

        But it's more likely it's not true.

        • Munki on 25/05/2018 - 11:36
          +3

          You do realise that is not OP who wrote that bit, right?

        • AlanHB on 26/05/2018 - 07:40

          @Munki: Yes.

    • D6C1 on 24/05/2018 - 15:01
      +7

      I think the buyer may be wanting to negotiate payment another way at the hotel if you get what I mean…

      • Wallyt99 on 24/05/2018 - 22:56
        +1

        PayPass?

        • D6C1 on 25/05/2018 - 01:31
          +17

          Yep. Tap and go

        • JajaMinx on 25/05/2018 - 09:40
          +2

          @D6C1:

          Please insert “card”… transaction declined

      • forevertech8 on 25/05/2018 - 13:01
        +1

        lol - AfterPay

    • stirlo on 23/05/2018 - 08:13
      +46

      No, you should accept cash only, there's still scams out there involving bank transfers.

      • airal3rt on 24/05/2018 - 09:37
        -1

        Can you explain how the bank transfer scams work? Even if the transaction has cleared and the money is available in your account before you give the item, you can still be scammed? How?

        • Quantumcat on 24/05/2018 - 10:02
          +1

          People send a screenshot as a receipt and people fall for that. Or, it's a cheque that hasn't cleared, it shows as pending on the account. You're right, if you wait until it is cleared, there shouldn't be a problem.

        • macrocephalic on 24/05/2018 - 10:24

          @Quantumcat: And by cleared, you mean you've withdrawn the cash. Someone the other day noted that, at his bank, an uncleared cheque showed as available cash in his account - until it bounced.

        • Quantumcat on 24/05/2018 - 11:30

          @macrocephalic: ouch

        • wyrmy on 24/05/2018 - 12:06
          +7

          @macrocephalic: Withdrawal doesnt help at all. The bank will still deduct the money from your account.

        • bmerigan on 24/05/2018 - 21:55
          +2

          The bank transfer scam is they show you a fake deposit receipt and you give them the product.

          Perfect example in this case because he's 'leaving the country' Saturday thus you would need to give the guitar before the money arrives.

        • SaberX on 25/05/2018 - 23:13

          @Quantumcat:

          By cheque you mean physical cheque? Anything done through electronic banking would be through EFT transfer so as soon as you see it in your bank account it would be 'permanent' and not 'pending' like a physical cheque, right? There's no option to pay cheque via an electronic form these days is there? I know.. sounds silly but legit brain half dead and curious.

        • Quantumcat on 25/05/2018 - 23:55

          @SaberX: I'm not really sure, but there was a thread here about it - maybe search for gumtree scam cheque (it looked like the money was deposited from the receiver's point of view)

        • gimme on 26/05/2018 - 00:13

          Just did one of those transactions on Gumtree. The person xfered the funds to my bank account and it's immediately cleared under the new NPP system (first time for me). So I assume it's safe to send the merchandise right? They can't do a reversal presumably?

      • cameldownunder on 25/05/2018 - 12:12
        +1

        Maybe fotocopies of cash ?

      • SaberX on 25/05/2018 - 23:14

        how about paypal transfers?

        I've always been worry to sell through paypal with those direct invoicing/deposits as normal ebay and online store sellers say that disputes can be raised and your money retracted, correct?? Or is paypal pretty safe in that they can't turn around and dispute/claw back the funds for these personal money transfers like they do to businesses selling through ebay or other means?

  • MrHyde on 23/05/2018 - 07:15
    +32

    This… Cash transaction only… No bank transfer, no PayPal, nothing… Only cash

    • thefud on 24/05/2018 - 07:33
      +2

      What about using Osko? It’s next to instant, has mainstream support, you could confirm receipt in front of the buyer before releasing your goods and has the advantage of not handling cash (especially large volumes).

      • gromit on 24/05/2018 - 20:04
        +3

        Osko is under the same epayments regulations that allows someone to challenge the transaction as fraud or a mistake and request it be reversed without your consent.

        e.g. "Where we and the sending financial institution determine that an Osko Payment made to your Account is either a Mistaken Payment or a Misdirected Payment, we may, without your consent, and subject to complying with any other applicable terms and conditions, deduct from your Account an amount up to the original amount of the Mistaken Payment or Misdirected Payment. We will notify you if this occurs."

        • thefud on 25/05/2018 - 08:48

          Right - so practically, the human will be standing in front of you and would have to authorise their app to make payment. So for it to be a genuine fraud transaction, not only would they be Gumtree scamming but they would have a stolen phone with the account holders credentials (face, finger or pin) and the stolen phone would have to be not noticed and bank not notified.

          Alternatively, they reverse the transaction on their own account but surely that could only happen a handful of times before the bank becomes weary.

          Unless this was a same day or even hour transaction, seems highly unlikely. But you raise a valid point - if you did have a claim against the money you received, how can you defend that (like a PayPal dispute for instance)?

          Realistically, this risk is the same as car dealers take on bank cheques, auction houses take on credit cards, eBay sellers take on any form of payment but when it comes to consumers selling on Gumtree the risk is too high? Even though you could be the one selling stolen goods?

          Lesson: never use Gumtree.

        • tromboc on 25/05/2018 - 09:40

          @togaboyau:

          No it's not the same at all. The car dealer and auction house both have your full name, address, contact details, and most likely some other identifiable information like a drivers license number or date of birth.

          Gumtree is a random person with a first name they could have made up using what could easily be a burner phone number. Good luck chasing that one down.

  • Ryanek on 23/05/2018 - 08:02
    +38

    Bring a mate, strictly cash only.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 10:01
      +30

      Bring an islander mate, strictly cash only.

      FTFY.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 08:05
    +2

    Seems fine. Its a public place

    I always do my gumtree transactions at a maccas carpark

    • Rhubarb Jones on 23/05/2018 - 08:20
      +16

      You on the Dark Gumtree?

      • ausdday on 23/05/2018 - 11:12
        +19

        Just Mc.Gumtree

    • pennypincher98 on 23/05/2018 - 20:17
      +1

      I've found train stations to work well also - normally quieter ones but I've done a few transactions at packed stations - haven't ever had a problem.

      The fact that it's constantly under surveillance, people randomly coming and going and staff that work there I think deters a lot of dodgy sales.

      • freakatronic on 24/05/2018 - 12:21
        +2

        One guy here in Melbourne got his legs broken selling an iPhone at a train station. Be smart - exchange in a bank lobby or police station only.

        • pennypincher98 on 24/05/2018 - 12:40

          Exchange in a police station?? While I understand why you would, it's more if the buyer wants to meet you there.
          Can't say I'd be overly thrilled buying from someone at a police station..

          As for bank lobbies - banks have very short hours. Do you realise OP was meeting up after dark? What kind of bank lobby is open that late?

        • freakatronic on 24/05/2018 - 13:03

          @pennypincher98: yyyyyyeeaaah…I wouldn't do any sales after dark. I made a sale in a police station a little while ago. If my counterparty is unwilling to meet in a secure location, I just wait for the next offer.

        • Dancasper on 24/05/2018 - 13:54
          +48

          You're going to scare the bejesus out of the bank tellers standing in a bank lobby with a guitar case looking at the phone every 2 min.

          Take a balaclava, it could get cold.

        • cameldownunder on 25/05/2018 - 12:15
          -1

          @pennypincher98: Friends of Friends wanted to sell diamond ring in front of buyer house. Buyer makes a run with the ring, as the house was not his, father and son chase thief, thief turns round, stabs father and son, father dyes, son injured.

        • Blitzfx on 25/05/2018 - 14:17

          @pennypincher98:

          I'd buy from a police station. If they try to scam me with a fake item, then their face is on the police cams as well.

        • pennypincher98 on 25/05/2018 - 15:10
          +1

          @Blitzfx: of course there's going to be no scams at the police station. It's more of the fact you have to just randomly awkwardly have to wait inside the police station until the other person comes (if they come).

          The police are bound to be suspicious, especially in some circumstances.

        • Hardlyworkin on 25/05/2018 - 17:46
          +1

          @cameldownunder: What colour did the father dye?

        • SaberX on 25/05/2018 - 23:16

          curious about story - how did the legs get broken? LIke they crippled him as they stole? or accident while chasing after them etc?

        • freakatronic on 26/05/2018 - 14:38

          @SaberX: fake buyer ran the seller down with a car https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.heraldsun.com.au/news/fa…

      • bestbarginever on 24/05/2018 - 18:22
        +4

        I mostly done transactions in my car. Usually I will just ask the chap to wait by a quiet road and I will pull up next to him and pass the stuff right through the window while the cash is handed over.

        Once there was a guy who pulled up next to me in his car too and it kinda feel like making a drop in breaking bad.

        • SaberX on 25/05/2018 - 23:17

          this sounds awkward in the sense of having to ensure you have your hand on the money before he can rip the goods out of your hand and make off… i think id' rather be in a shopping centre (local) is what i usually do. at least they may be on monitor or will think less about making a runner or a scene.

    • bad hombre on 24/05/2018 - 09:52

      Did you not watch the Bourne movies!?!?

      "Is that him?! ENHANCE! We will cut him off over there. Snipers in position. Shoot to kill."

      Unless you are actually Jason Bourne there is no way you're getting out of that.

      That goes to show public place are not to he trusted - ever!

    • cashless on 24/05/2018 - 10:22
      -1

      User name doesn't check out

    • ozzpete on 24/05/2018 - 14:35

      Or better yet… inside maccaz. Not in carpark, especially not if exchanging $500 or more .

    • Munki on 25/05/2018 - 11:38

      Maccas carpark. Also a great dogging site.

  • PJC on 23/05/2018 - 08:28
    +4

    Does your Gumtree ad reveal your address? If so, then he is not in a Darling Harbour hotel.

    • Windows7forever on 23/05/2018 - 08:39

      No. Can you explain?

      • PJC on 23/05/2018 - 09:58
        +18

        Burglar.

      • Lysander on 25/05/2018 - 10:07
        +2

        While you are at the hotel, he will be at your house enjoying the free-for-all as he can be certain you are not at home.

        • abb on 25/05/2018 - 15:53

          Because he also knows OP lives alone? Seems far fetched.

        • Lysander on 25/05/2018 - 16:34

          @abb:

          If OP is the male of the house, I would not be too worried if I was a burglar. The man is the main obstacle due to more strengths and aggression generally.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 09:43

      Huh?

      • pennypincher98 on 23/05/2018 - 20:19
        +8

        Lol, basically what PJC is saying is that he's asking him to leave his house at night and go somewhere else so he can rob him.

        • Windows7forever on 23/05/2018 - 20:59
          +7

          That's stupid. I have an alarm system and other people are home.

        • pennypincher98 on 23/05/2018 - 21:02
          -2

          @87andcry: alarm systems can easily be tripped if they were set on robbing you, and if he was serious he could always spy on your house and see if there are always people at home around the clock or if there's a particular time of the day where no-one is.

          Btw, I'm assuming the OP meant the above as a joke but seeing as you are serious about it, it can happen.

        • macrocephalic on 24/05/2018 - 10:28
          +14

          @pennypincher98: Burglars are lazy. No one is going to lure your through gumtree, deactivate your security system, and break into your house to steal whatever other shit you have. They'll just find the first dark house with an unlocked door and steal their shit.

        • pennypincher98 on 24/05/2018 - 14:17

          @macrocephalic: haha I know, as per my last paragraph. No-one goes to that much trouble on gumtree but seemingly the OP didn't understand the joke..

  • z10cvbnm on 23/05/2018 - 09:11
    +3

    Ask him which hotel it is and if he agrees with the price (and pay in cash). Meet up at the lobby should be OK assuming it is a decent hotel! Always meet in public places and accepts cash only.

  • try2bhelpful on 23/05/2018 - 09:14
    +2

    This might be legit but there are a lot of scams out there that smell like this. I agree with the others, cash only, deliver in person, take a friend with you who could sit in the background and in a public place - not in his hotel room.

  • angelkulit025 on 23/05/2018 - 09:15
    +7

    too much trouble, move on to the next buyer.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 09:44
      +1

      Sometimes hard to do… if there is no next buyer.

  • Eeples on 23/05/2018 - 09:25
    +25

    My advice…..

    1. Do all this in the lobby

    2. Ask to see the money (all of the $500). If he doesn't have it tell him to get it or you are leaving. Wait for him to return with all the money ($500) to show you.

    3. I guess he will want to play and examine the guitar before he buys it. Let him. But don't let him go back to his room with the guitar to get his pick. The hotel will not mind if he plays it for a short time in their lobby; despite what he says.

    4. He then most likely will attempt low-ball you by offering $100

    5. Ask for the guitar back (insist) before negotiating any further. Get the guitar back.

    6. Negotiate a price.

    7. If you agree get the money first. Count the money.

    8. Give him the guitar

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 09:45
      +8

      You missed point 0, before point 1.

      Hire some islanders/bikies.

      • try2bhelpful on 23/05/2018 - 09:49

        If you saw Thor Ragnarok - the director said he based "Korg" on Polynesian bouncers.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 10:00
          +4

          Polynesian bouncers

          Coincidentally that's the same policy over at Metro for hiring Authorised Officers.

          Funny that.

        • try2bhelpful on 23/05/2018 - 10:04
          +2

          @KaptnKaos: The director said it was because they look big and threatening but tend to be mellow underneath it all. Sounds like a good combination for security people. Better than hyped up and psycho.

        • spiff on 23/05/2018 - 10:42
          +2

          Fun fact - the Director is the one who voiced Korg.

        • GG57 on 23/05/2018 - 12:46

          @try2bhelpful: I can vouch for those personality traits.
          Lived in a Polynesian country for a few years; never any trouble at nightspots etc.; if anything looked like developing the instigator was just led by the hand outside and sent on their way.

        • FW190 on 24/05/2018 - 01:17

          @spiff:

          I thought it was "Kev The Kiwi" from Housos/Fat Pizza :)

          but looks like the director is a Kiwi as well

        • ccrap on 24/05/2018 - 09:15

          so not like the roid ragers Ivy used to hire?

        • try2bhelpful on 24/05/2018 - 09:58
          +1

          @spiff: Yup, he has acted in a few of his films. It is like Enda Mode from "The Incredibles" who was voiced by the cartoonist Brad Bird and was based on Edith Head the fashion designer. Small parts that completely steal the film from the main actors.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 24/05/2018 - 00:23

        You missed point 0, before point 1.

        Hire some islanders/bikies.

        Point -1: Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

    • ruddiger7 on 24/05/2018 - 16:17

      7A. Break the guitar over his head.
      7B. Retrieve the money.

    • Name on 24/05/2018 - 21:08

      I'd stop at point 7 and run. You've now got a guitar and $500.

    • cameldownunder on 25/05/2018 - 12:17

      He takes OP's guitar, and then pretend it's his.

    • abb on 25/05/2018 - 15:57

      Step 2. Ask to have all the money. Pocket it all. Only give it back if the buyer finds some genuine fault that is grounds to cancel the sale.

      No way in hell I'd negotiate after meeting a buyer somewhere at my own effort. Price should be agreed beforehand.

  • mskeggs on 23/05/2018 - 09:31
    +12

    This will just become a last minute "unexpected change of plans" and become a scam. Wouldn't waste my time.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 09:47

      How is it a "scam" if the potential buyer has an "unexpected change of plans" and does not even meet up with the seller?

      At most it is wasting everyone's time…

      • mskeggs on 23/05/2018 - 09:48
        +5

        "Sorry, I am delayed, I will send payment via Paypal but please leave the guitar with the concierge" or something similar.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 09:59
          +2

          lol sounds totally legit…

          "Cash only or GTFO"

        • mskeggs on 23/05/2018 - 10:00
          +6

          @KaptnKaos:
          Exactly, but you have already reached the foyer when you receive the SMS of the 'unexpected delay".

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