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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 13:45:14 GMT -8
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Post by fivefootmenace on Feb 3, 2014 13:45:14 GMT -8
Okay I'm just posting away lately. How likely am I to encounter scams? Should I go by the rule "if its too good to be true it probably is." I'm saying this because I just encounter someone responding to an email inquiry asking me to pay her through google wallet and she will arrange for shipping. Scammy sounding right? I responded that I'm within driving distance (it would be a 3 he drive) and I would rather see the trailer in person and that if I decided I would like to purchase it I would rather take it home myself. I'm pretty sure this is a scam and this is the second interaction like this I've had during my search...am I going to be encountering scammers a lot?
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 13:55:11 GMT -8
Post by bigbill on Feb 3, 2014 13:55:11 GMT -8
without a doubt they are out there. A lot of it depends on how you answer ads and what you are looking for. Also what kind of signals you are putting out. if you advertise trailer wanted you will most likely hit a lot more of them. But telling them you won't buy sight unseen and you will pay for it when you pick it up as you will transport it yourself should scare most of them off.
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SusieQ
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 13:56:49 GMT -8
Post by SusieQ on Feb 3, 2014 13:56:49 GMT -8
Yes, the too good to be true rule always applies unless you can see it in person and they have the title. If it sounds fishy, it is. And especially on listings like Craigslist, never pay for something you can't look at first. Also, multiple listings of the same pics and ads in different states is another clue that it is a scam. They usually, not always, use a different name/email with the same pics. If there are pics and very little detailed info, that is another sign.
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 14:06:43 GMT -8
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Post by fivefootmenace on Feb 3, 2014 14:06:43 GMT -8
I did a search and it seems they stole the photo of the trailer from an old eBay auction. She even just responded to me and said she just moved out of the state. Oh boy. It's going to be hard enough finding a trailer on the east coast it just stinks that I have to factor that into the search process.
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SusieQ
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 14:12:02 GMT -8
Post by SusieQ on Feb 3, 2014 14:12:02 GMT -8
I encountered that problem, too. I found a Scotty that seemed too good to be true with the same sort of strange email reply. When I did more research, I found it listed elsewhere as a scam and then found the original pic that had been stolen from a magazine.
Be sure and flag the listing if it is posted on a site where that is an option. And if you want to post a pic of the trailer, it might actually belong to someone here who would like to know their pic was stolen.
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 14:18:20 GMT -8
Post by bigbill on Feb 3, 2014 14:18:20 GMT -8
As Susie Q says make sure they have a title if your state requires one and most if not all now require a title. I would check with your local Register/ Dept of motor vehicles as to what your state requires. Every now and then the dream trailer pops up but not very often I personally have never seen one, unless it was completely rebuilt with construction pictures and verification of work done. Be very cautious of new paint as it can cover up a multitude of problems. Watch mobiltec videos on repair they will teach you what to watch for also the many different blogs of reconstructing a trailer that is on this web site. You will soon discover what problems are on almost all of these trailers no mater what make and take notes of problems that certain models have such as weak frames or certain windows that are most likely going to leak also water and holding tank problems. Don't forget the electrical system. Tires may look like new but be dry rotted cracked and ready to blow out.
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Ten
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 16:11:05 GMT -8
Post by Ten on Feb 3, 2014 16:11:05 GMT -8
What part of the East Coast are you at? I am in upstate NY, and do keep an eye open around the area. The scams are definitely a part of the search. Be sure to keep your antennae up. The stolen photos from ebay is common...was it this one maybe?? This one made the rounds a little while ago around the country as a matter of fact. It was sold on ebay a while ago out of the Denver area, for a nice $9500 selling price. It kept coming up in craigslist ads. I actually answered one of the ads and got the "pay through Yahoo Auto Something Something" and "I just moved out of state so can't look at it and can arrange delivery..." yada yada. When the "yada yada" hits start deleting the emails. Something to consider is the time of year. There are some, although not lots, which generally will turn up at this time of the season, and most will need some extensive research, as well as rebuild. Closer to springtime, they start to show up more and the prices go up, as sellers realize this is the start of the prime season for them. One of the largest biggest and most important factors is knowing the availability of proof of ownership, and title, and what your state will require to transfer ownership. DO NOT underestimate that importance when you are inquiring.
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 18:01:59 GMT -8
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Post by fivefootmenace on Feb 3, 2014 18:01:59 GMT -8
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 18:17:28 GMT -8
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Post by fivefootmenace on Feb 3, 2014 18:17:28 GMT -8
I found a mid 60s shasta in Massachusetts. The seller is claiming that the title states that it is a 1960 but it doesn't seem possible from the photos because it isn't the traditional round shape. I think it's a 65 because it has the squarer angles but still has the wings. Any reason you guys can think of that would cause the title to have the wrong year on it? In NJ I don't need a title to register a trailer, just a bill of sale and serial number, so it's not quite an issue except for it does raise a red flag.
And ten -you said they don't pop up too much until the spring on this coast, so I'm thinking this might be a good deal at $1000. It doesn't need some work and the guy seems legit so far. I'm calling him tomorrow to ask more questions. He doesn't know much since he got it through a trade and wasn't really a collector.
However, this isn't my dream body style, I of course want the one that everyone else seems to want too, the adorable rounded canned ham. But I don't know if I'll ever find the shasta in the body style I want, in the condition I can handle, on the east coast, in my price range (under $3,000). I'm probably getting a head of myself. This guy could have the trailer sold tomorrow at that price.
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cowcharge
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 19:12:48 GMT -8
Post by cowcharge on Feb 3, 2014 19:12:48 GMT -8
It's pretty common for the year to get messed up on these things, my '76 was registered as a '73.
The "pay me and I'll ship it" deals are ALWAYS scams.
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mobiltec
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 20:14:46 GMT -8
Post by mobiltec on Feb 3, 2014 20:14:46 GMT -8
I don't know why anyone would even bother with Ebay with all the scamming you must sift through.
Never buy a trailer sight unseen.
Never take all of the cash with you to the meeting place. People have been robbed that way.
Take 10% in cash and tell them you will go get the rest after you have seen the pink slip. He can be filling out the bill of sale and pink slip while you are grabbing the rest of the cash which is in your car. If there is no pink slip or the registration is out of date or does not match the name of the seller, (check drivers license) then you better know the laws in your state or you could lose the trailer when it comes up stolen at a police stop.
Happy Hunting!
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Scams?
Feb 3, 2014 22:46:23 GMT -8
Post by vikx on Feb 3, 2014 22:46:23 GMT -8
SCAMS ARE RAMPANT. Listen to the knowledge above. Tell the seller you must see the VIN and verify that the title matches.
Ask for photos of claimed "restoration". Buy what you like.
If it's too good to be true: SCAM.
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Ten
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Scams?
Feb 4, 2014 7:55:29 GMT -8
Post by Ten on Feb 4, 2014 7:55:29 GMT -8
Another source you can use and trust it a little better than the free ads on craigslist and the ebay go-rounds, it the tin-can-tourists. tincantourists.com/They do list some classifieds, and the membership is a little more reputable I am sure. I would still go forward with the shields up. But the dance is a little easier. Patience it the biggest virtue you can take with you. There is something out there, usually they find you rather than the other way around. The more time that you take to look and compare the more great ideas and brands you can find amusing to your needs. The search is a lot of fun...I still do it with a lot more already on my plate than I can handle. Good thing for my wife's lon-n-n-ng patience... ....
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Scams?
Feb 4, 2014 10:11:07 GMT -8
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Post by fivefootmenace on Feb 4, 2014 10:11:07 GMT -8
The trailer that is a 65' with the title that says 60' the guy says the previous owner never signed it when he got it...what would that mean if this was a trailer worth me buying. NJ doesn't need to see the title but having a clean title is important for resale and peace of mind. I'm probably going to see it this weekend if he doesn't sell it before hand because there is a scotty for sale in the area and I can make a whole day of it. I'm so new at this and know so little I figure seeing trailers, whether I buy them or not, is a good learning experience.
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SusieQ
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Scams?
Feb 4, 2014 10:15:09 GMT -8
Post by SusieQ on Feb 4, 2014 10:15:09 GMT -8
The trailer that is a 65' with the title that says 60' the guy says the previous owner never signed it when he got it...what would that mean if this was a trailer worth me buying. NJ doesn't need to see the title but having a clean title is important for resale and peace of mind. I'm probably going to see it this weekend if he doesn't sell it before hand because there is a scotty for sale in the area and I can make a whole day of it. I'm so new at this and know so little I figure seeing trailers, whether I buy them or not, is a good learning experience. It could be the VIN# on the trailer and title do not match if the description is inaccurate. If the previous owner never signed over the title, it is still titled in his/her name and he is the legal owner.
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