Avoid Craigslist Scams! Sell Your Items At The Pawn Shop!

  

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Craigslist may be the most popular online marketplace for selling used items 

AND it is also the biggest criminal enterprise ever known to man.

You may be worried that you won’t get the best price for your item at a pawn shop, but are you ready to deal with criminals from around the world who are trying to rob you?

Don’t be naïve about how difficult it is to sell things on Craigslist.  It looks easy, but do you really want to deal with all the crazies ready to pounce on you?

Do you want a stream of strangers calling your personal phone and coming to your home?

Everyone will tell you, “The biggest problem with Craigslist is getting your money.  Only deal with buyers in person and take cash for payments.”

Do you really want to agree to meet a complete stranger in a parking lot somewhere and hope he doesn’t beat you up and steal your item?  There have been many incidents like this because the “buyer” knows exactly where you will be, when, and what you will have with you. Don’t get lured into this dangerous situation. At least meet in a busy public place like a coffee shop or retail store. I even know of some pawnbrokers who will allow you to meet your buyer at their retail location just so you will be safe and secure.

Be alert for the FAKE CASHIER’S CHECK scam.

Craigslist scammers will print out fake checks and try to convince you that they are perfectly good even though the amount is much greater than your transaction.  They will try to get you to send them back the extra cash via Western Union, their driver, or their company.  Also don’t accept cashier's checks just because they look official. Your bank will often accept the check and even make the funds available quickly, but when the checks turn out to be fraudulent (weeks later) the bank will turn to YOU to payback the money.

BEWARE OF

• The buyer said he is buying the item for a “client”.
• The buyer uses a mover, shipping company, or has their company handle the finances.
• The buyer wants to pay in advance to save you trouble
• They want YOU to send THEM extra money left over from the check that was written above your asking price.
• They ask for your phone number and provide you a number in another country
• The buyer is in another country.
• You receive a check printed on standard paper, with perforated tear lines, and the address on the check does not match the address on the envelope.

Why put yourself through all that aggravation and inconvenience of Craigslist?  Pawn shops have expert appraisers and access to market databases for many types of used items. They will share with you the true market value of your item and how long it will take to find a buyer. Pawn shops have retail stores, online ecommerce stores, E-Bay stores, and a client list who may want to buy your item. They will be willing to buy your item at a price that reflects the current market value and the profit margin they need to stay in business.  Of course you won’t get as much as if you sold it yourself.  But unless you want to accept the risks involved with getting scammed on Craigslist, let the pawn broker buy it from you, you just take the cash.

If you go to your local pawn shop, you could sell your item that day. If you accept our offer, we will ship your item overnight via. prepaid and insured Fedex and we can wire you the money directly into your bank account the same day we receive it.

Want to check out Pawntique? 

Don’t be a victim of Craigslist Scams!

Post by Don Battis