I'm visiting family down south (near an AFB), happen to be helping a cousin find a used Mac laptop.

Local Craigslist ad looks like local ad, but response comes from out of state.

Message signed by an Lt so and so, claiming deployment at Joint Base Andrews Training Facility, Maryland.

Seems reasonable, it's a real place, Am barely 30min for another Base here, now. However, they want to post it to eBay to process the sale, so the out of state thing plus jumping from Craigslist to eBay is a touch unconventional but not crazy, CL has no payment mechanism. Just a whiff of hinky, still plausible.

How few questions can I ask to be sure they're not monkeying around? Something they ought not be afraid to divulge but can't be faked / has accountability? Like their Unit Name and Commander or something? Something I can verify externally without being too intrusive or causing too much work for either?

What say you?

Pass or Proceed?

(It's a fair deal in general, barely $100 less than the going rate, doesn't seem priced like hot gear.)

Thanks.

Can you get on base, legally?

Lt is probably two years or less out of college and just trying to look out for himself.

Seller pays the fees do you'll just be helping him out.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Can you get on base, legally?

Lt is probably two years or less out of college and just trying to look out for himself/herself.

Local base access isn't an issue, if need be, but it'll take a few calls.

But they're claiming to be in Maryland, currently, several states away.

There would be no face to face, they want to mail the laptop, claims it's in storage accessible to them.

Pass.

Why list it on CL for your area and be somewhere else?

Pass

My 1st thought is HARD PASS.

The only way I would consider it is if the seller has an eBay account with oodles of positive feedback. Then if one uses pay pal you ‘usually’ have some protection.

There have been times I’ll pay 10%(whatever) more just to deal with a reputable seller. I wouldn’t be smitten with any military mumbo-jumbo.

Nope. Nuh-uh. No thanks.

Usually they like to use Google Checkout for this scam. The military title is to gain your confidence and the deployment excuse is to create a sense of urgency for you to complete the transaction.

If you try to set up a meet, you'll be told that the Macbook is already at a shipper waiting for him to send them an address.

If it were me, I'd stick with looking for a used Macbook on Newegg.

eBay collects Tax from the Buyer here in Washington State so factor that in when comparing costs.

If he was legit, most likely he would be selling it on ebay.

Normally this would work were the buyer and seller agree on a fixed price, the seller puts it on ebay using Buy it Now, and the buyer pays the ebay price and gains ebay protection.

It appears that is what he is doing, so perhaps the sale is legit.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
the buyer pays the ebay price and gains ebay protection.

But it's the Seller who wants to go on eBay. What's the sellers benefit of Selling on eBay instead of directly?

No a Craigslist ad from out of state- What could go wrong?

Why is he using his military title (rank) to try and sell something on the internet?
In my opinion, that is inappropriate.
I would be suspicious.

I would find the local "internet safe trading location" which might be on the base or outside the local police/sheriff's department. (If he refuses to meet there, then you know...)

And I would ask to see the individual's CAC (ID) card... for proof of claimed identity. (If he refuses to show his CAC card, then you know...)

If there really is a computer, and it is stolen, there is not much you can do to find out... although I would turn it on and boot it up to ensure it is not locked by its real owner... (If he refuses to boot it up and show you how it works, then you know...)

Peacetime and in the States the unit or headquarters he is assigned to are not classified and can be divulged as well as mailing address. In most cases even routine deployment information is not classified. Every service member who writes a check usually has to write this information on the check. Once you have unit go on web and you will usually find a unit webpage or call base and ask for name of commanding officer. As he used rank in ad and if he refuses to give above information then run from the deal. Personally an ad using rank smells and I would pass.

The whole thing sounds fishy but I can't figure out why they would move a scam to a venue that protects buyers at all costs between ebay, paypal, and your credidt card. You have a ton of recourse on the payment front but the hassle is on you. Maybe he just isn't all that bright.

pass. Get one from a refurbished site as suggested earlier.

Classic scam setup. Fake military title, wanting to change from CL to Ebay, deployed. You can use paypal to send money for CL purchases. Too many redflags on this one. Why would he not list it to where HE is local? Why local to where your IP is pinging and have to ship? Is he out of country?

This whole thing has too many shady parts, I would pass.

quote:

Local Craigslist ad looks like local ad, but response comes from out of state.

Walk away.

Pull the eject handle.

Nope