I responded to a Craigslist (Oklahoma City) ad for this car and said if the price ($5850) was not a typo I would buy the car. That evening the ad was gone but I got this e-mail:


2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 - Mileage: 41,500 Miles


First of all I want to thank you for your interest for my car. I sell it at this price ($ 5850 ) because i just finished the divorce with my husband. When the divorce has finished i own this car. Now as a single woman i don't need it. This car is in excellent working conditions, no scratches, flaws or any kind of damage, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions and comes with a clear title, 3 months transferable warranty.
From the beginning you have to know that for the payment I request only secure pay, I prefer the payment to be done using eBay services.
We will use a safe payment method because I am affiliated at eBay and I have a purchase protection account.The final price that I want for this car is $ 5850 USD including shipping and handling.
If you are interested in buying it please provide me your full name and address so I can initiate the deal through eBay.
I will wait your answer(if you are interested to buy) very soon.

Carrilyn Broadous

P.S. - HERE ARE SOME PICS OF THE CAR - http://s426.photobucket.com/albums/pp348/carrilynbroadous/

This is my response:


I'm assuming you are in the Oklahoma City area since that's where I saw it on craigslist. I can pick up the car in person and pay cash. Let me know where you are located and when I can see the car.
Chuck

Then this morning I get:



The car is already at the shipping company in Lincoln,Nebraska ready for shipping. I have a contract with eBay so this deal must go through them. I'm very busy with my job and I'm out of town so I can't meet in person with you so this is the reason why I chose to sell my car over the Internet. According with the eBay you have 5 days from the time you receive the car to inspect it and decide if you want to keep it or not.
Here is how it will work:
1.First of all I will need the following details from you:
- Full Name
- Full Shipping Address
2. After I will receive the details from you, I will forward them to eBay.
3. After they will process your info, they will send us both invoices. The invoice will send you the details on how to make a refundable payment.
4. eBay will contact me and I will ship the car to you. After you receive the car you will have 5 days to test, verify and do whatever you need to the car. If you will buy, then I will receive the payment details from eBay so that I can pick up the money.
5. If you will decide that you will not buy the car, eBay will refund the money and I will have the shipping company come pick up my car. If you wish to make the transaction, please send me the necessary info so that we can proceed. I look forward to hear from you.
Thank you


I'm done fooling with it because it's obviously a scam but thought I'd post for your viewing pleasure. Sure wish it was for real though. Nice car!

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

If you watch closely, every day there's a bunch of those scams on the craig. Probably 3-5 a day in Milwaukee.

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1987 300D - Frybrid - sold
1985 300SD

Every local craigslist page is flooded with those things. I flag them constantly.

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cash only, in person.

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99 E300 Turbodiesel 100k

Here is a great website. What these people put these scammers through is hilarious.

http://www.419eater.com/

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'83 300D 198,000mi Howard
'03 Saturn Vue CVT 75,000mi(wifeys)

This almost exact operation is all over north america. They must catch quite a few people.

The problem in my mind is that they will become more sophisticated at one point or another. Then you will have to extremely dilligent. Right now they appeal to peoples greed primarily. Usually the mercedes is the divorce residue and the woman does not know how to drive.

I far preffer the story where the car is advertised for a dollar. The unbelieving purchaser phones to clarify the price. Rushes over and indeed the car is one dollar. He decides to take the risk. The worse that may happen is a reposession.

As he is leaving with the car he asks the lady why was the car only a dollar? She responds her husband ran away with the office girl a few weeks ago. He telephoned yesterday and asked her to sell his mint mercedes and send him the money. She was really only doing her duty as a wife and would send him every penny.

I know women that may be even more vindictive if an issue came up like this. I am married to one I think. Come to think about it I am certain I am.

The old adage of if it's too good to be true it usually will be still applies.
We all hope for the exceptions but they are very infrequent normally.