[mibbitier]

> " If youre thinking of selling an expensive item on eBay, think again. "

I would say, this type of fraud is exclusively targeted at cellphones, ipods, netbooks etc. If you're selling something like an antique grandfather clock, you should be fine. Of course anything that requires collection, or couriering is going to be more traceable and secure.

I have sold hundreds or maybe thousands of items on eBay. The only one I ever had a problem with was trying to sell an old iPod. As soon as it was listed the scamming started by fraudsters.

[AjithAntony]

>If you're selling something like an antique grandfather clock, you should be fine.

Paypal orders buyer to destroy antique violin:

http://www.regretsy.com/2012/01/03/from-the-mailbag-27/

[mibbitier]

One bad incident out of millions doesn't set a precedent.

[chiph]

One could say the same thing about OP's post. Yet, it isn't unique by a long shot.

I've also given up on selling via CL because of the scammers. Now I donate to the local Goodwill or other charity (women's shelters want cellphones, for example), and take the tax write-off.

[mibbitier]

No, because most cellphones/iPods etc will be subject to scammers.

These devices are absolutely simple for scammers to work with. They're high value, cheap to post, and can easily be swapped with phoney/broken identical devices.

[18pfsmt]

Could explain how buyers could scam you using Craigslist? Just make it cash only, no?

[NoPiece]

I think it isn't that you end up getting scammed on craigslist, but that 9 out of ten replies are from scammers. It creates annoying overhead in sorting them out.

-- Hi! I am buying this as gift for my Son. Are you firm on the price? Email me back please,though, you may send me a text on the number below because I am hearing impaired but I think email is the best for me. -- Hello, i saw your listing on craigslist and Am wondering if the item is still for sale. Please do let me know if I'm still able to purchase as i am willing and ready to make purchase,get back to me with the condition asap.Thanks

[ADent]

Somebody on another site got paid in counterfeit bills on a used iPad.

[ScottWhigham]

I think you're misusing the word "precedent" here. This absolutely does set a precedent but whether it constitutes a trend or policy change is debatable.

[tb303]

It's just that the scamming is more common with iPhones. There are many public cases where the similar scam was pulled as the buyer returned an "item not as described" as an empty guitar case full of rocks/synth box full of books/etc.