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corman842 · Jun 16, 2006, 01:28 AM

Hi,
Perhaps I'm just paranoid, but I just want to make sure I'm safe here. I'm selling my Powerbook on Craigslist Philadelphia and have a few offers. One fellow has offered to meet me halfway and do a local pickup somewhere between our two locations. He has offered to pay via corporate check as he's buying for his work. Is there any chance that this is unsafe? He seems legit, I checked out the company, and it's legit, I just want to make sure it isn't common to forge corporate checks or anything like that. Do y'all think this is safe? Let me know! Thanks!

Rumor · Jun 16, 2006, 02:00 AM

I would ask for cash or a money order. A check, no matter what kind, can be forged. Not only that, but he might not have authorization for that check, at which point the company could put a stop payment on it.

GSixZero · Jun 16, 2006, 05:07 AM

I only take cash from Craigslist. Money orders and cashiers checks can be forged too. Getting a few grand in cash isn't that hard.

Mastrap · Jun 16, 2006, 05:51 AM

Cash only.

darth-vader000 · Jun 16, 2006, 06:04 AM

Cash only

Too much fraud.

btw which model PB are you selling and how much? I'm trying to sell mine and I'm not getting too much luck. I may opt for ebay. I had mine up for a grand which was in line with what others or at least so I thought. Perhaps I'm pricing it too high.

Zeeb · Jun 16, 2006, 09:45 AM

Fake checks and money orders are a common type of fraud over Craigslist. They are often so genuine looking that banks will allow them to be deposited but a month later it bounces and you're in legal/financial trouble. That's why cash is king.

However, usually that's because the person mailed the computer to someone rather than a face-to-face transaction. Since this person is willing to meet you, I would only accept a check if you met him at the offices of the company he claims to work for. Maybe you could even pick it up from the accounting department yourself. I would say that's pretty safe.

slugslugslug · Jun 16, 2006, 10:08 AM

I second what Zeeb says. It doesn't do any good for the company to be legit, until you verify that he works for it. Seems the best way to do that is to meet him right at the reception desk. It's very unlikely that a company would let some guy who doesn't work for them buy a laptop in their lobby.

powerbook867 · Jun 16, 2006, 10:17 AM

I would do cash only. Higher end home printers can make some really choice looking docs.

Meeting this person at the company office sounds like a good idea to me (even if you do have to drive farther...)

memory-minus · Jun 16, 2006, 06:02 PM

Cash only and carry a counterfeit detection pen. $3 at Office Depot.

rozwado1 · Jun 16, 2006, 07:03 PM

Cash only and bring a gun. Leave with computer too.

Miniryu · Jun 16, 2006, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by rozwado1

Cash only and bring a gun. Leave with computer too.

HA HA HA

d4nth3m4n · Jun 16, 2006, 08:12 PM

if you ABSOLUTELY have to take the check, write down his drivers license number/take a picture of his photo ID. gauge his reaction when you ask him to do so as well. you can get a lot of information this way.

slugslugslug · Jun 16, 2006, 09:08 PM

an aside:I read that counterfeit detection pens aren't actually accurate, like perhaps they have too many false positives to be useful. I think it may have been James Randi who debunked them, but can't remember exactly.

On the other hand, newer currency is damned hard to counterfeit. You could ask him to requests the latest 20s or 100s when he goes to the bank.

Obi Wan's Ghost · Jun 17, 2006, 07:41 AM

He'll meet you half way and give you a piece of paper that might be worth nothing?

Tell him to go **** himself and his mother.

Actually don't forget to do something with his mother before he does. And tell him I had her too.

That's how offensive his offer is.

powerbook867 · Jun 17, 2006, 08:42 AM

Geez Obi wan, you seemed like a nice guy in all those movies....

(although I do agree with what you are saying)

slugslugslug · Jun 17, 2006, 09:21 AM

Don't be as much of a dick as non-SWG recommends. The guy might actually not be a scammer, and his check might be good. The fact that you're not sure he's legit doesn't mean you should treat him like you're sure he's not. You should in fact tell him your concerns, and that it's of course nothing personal since you don't know him. If he acts super-duper offended, he probably is a scammer. But if he's legit, he's probably willing to make a few compromises to get the transaction done in a way that's acceptable to all parties.

abe · Jun 17, 2006, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by rozwado1

Cash only and bring a gun. Leave with computer too.

This made me laugh til I cried.

hayesk · Jun 18, 2006, 02:38 PM

Meet him at his bank where he withdraws the money himself and gives it to you. Then you know the money is real since it came straight from the bank.