topic Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right? in Selling

This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:24:40 GMT

Message received earlier today:

"Hello dear I like this product [item name] please contact me thank you have a nice day"

I have a near-irresitable urge to respond to most messages I receive, just due to being polite, which almost always results in me replying to messages I say I won't, eventually. Sometimes it's out of sheer curiosity, or because I read far to many "Snappy answers to stupid questions..." collections as a kid and something pushes my sarcasm button, so I'm basically just fishing for the confirmation that this is a message to be ignored, with the intent to distract my attention, strengthen my resolve, and quell my rising sarcasm level (Or, you know, feel free to quench it by suggesting your own ).

Primary red flags, just in case - addressing me as "dear", and zero substance to the message, as in no questions, or reasons given why they want me to contact them. Item in question is just a $9 hand tool, BTW

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

davewil1964 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:27:54 GMT

The 'dear' would do it for me.

If I replied, which I probably wouldn't, it would be to inform them that the item is for purchase on eBay and no communication will be or should be entered into.

Do you have any geoblocks in place? Or buyer blocks? They might be trying to circumvent them.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:41:50 GMT

I only ship within Australia, while I don't have an exclusion list all the blocks tend to work regardless (buying block always works, and the messaging only mostly works). I did wonder if they were interested in buying, but the item is pretty generic and various versions of it are widely available for wordwide shipping at both lower and higher price points, so there's nothing particularly special or appealing about mine (except having me as the seller, that is ).

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:54:55 GMT

Yes, scam.

But... I know the awful temptation of Jamesveitchedness, a condition in which one wants to play with the scammer like a kitten with a mouse.

Hallo esteemed darling, I am so amazed that you like the product I made it out of human hair of a rare Pygmy race in Bogela Mbobsyaonkla. If you want product you are going to have to help me get hold of more Pygmies I need their hair and also secret ingredient their sebaceous filaments Can you help (just grab whole Pygmies when you can) if so reply to my research and development manager he will arrange all details thank you have spiffing day.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:06:07 GMT

Those videos are classic - I love the one where he obessesed over getting a free toaster

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:11:41 GMT

I was re-watching that just last night!

"Toaster Bonaaaaaanza! No conditions apply."

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:21:28 GMT

I think we should go for the Delonghi 4 slicer in red.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:27:47 GMT

That bit where he says "This sounds like a broken man..."

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:36:37 GMT

Are you familiar with David Thorne? If not, the guy has pretty much perfected being a professional antagonist - there's a few classic stories on his website that are well worth the read.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:28:06 GMT

Ohhh... (hurries off to check)

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:45:09 GMT

Wait a minute... I thought I recognised his style! Yes, it's David of the "Drawing of a spider" fame.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:02:34 GMT

It's just dumb enough to be genuine. Are they a newbie? Some people really don't know they have to buy through ebay. Having said that, I'd most likely ignore it.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

go-tazz — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:17:06 GMT

I got the seller one:

Hi,FriendsThis is Yang from ebay, we want to post a deal on Ozbargain ,we have a great off today,pls check the following link with OZbargain item number This is my link:with eBay item number You just have to send it to the above according to what I sent,OK?Can you post a deal for us,we can give you a free golf rangefinder or we can give you some recompense,ok? Hope your early reply.Best Regards,Yang

It goes to Ozbargain and you get 10% of you buy via the eBay app.

But I have no idea what they are on about,(it's a new one on me),

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:27:05 GMT

I'm currently listening to Dreams

Tempted to sing

Scammers always scam you when they're scamming

I am so creative

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:58:40 GMT

@go-tazz wrote:
I got the seller one:

Hi,FriendsThis is Yang from ebay, we want to post a deal on Ozbargain ,we have a great off today,pls check the following link with OZbargain item number This is my link:with eBay item number You just have to send it to the above according to what I sent,OK?Can you post a deal for us,we can give you a free golf rangefinder or we can give you some recompense,ok? Hope your early reply.Best Regards,Yang

It goes to Ozbargain and you get 10% of you buy via the eBay app.

But I have no idea what they are on about,(it's a new one on me),

It sounds like they are asking you to post their deal on the site, with the offer of something for free (OzBargain's content is community-generated, anyone can post even reps of businesses, so still a pretty dubious request).

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

go-tazz — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 05:59:54 GMT

No intention of following up on it and I don't use Wifi on my phone so no eBay app,

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 12:56:44 GMT

They were trying to sell me something "We are manufactures and exports [product type] products best quality product we have more products [product type]

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:04:24 GMT

You couldn't resist...

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

digital*ghost — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:10:35 GMT

No...

I lasted more than 24 hours, though, which is pretty good for me - they responded in less than an hour, but my curiosity is sated, at least in this regard.

Stoopid ambiguous people with mysterious messages.

Re: This Is Code for "I Want to Scam You", Right?

countessalmirena — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:32:09 GMT

Well, next time you'll know to tell them about the pgymies.

I haven't followed in James Veitch's footsteps, primarily because if I'm going to spend time on the antonym of a long con, I want it to be appreciated. That would mean I'd have to become a stand-up comedian and share the experience. I'm just not prepared for that!