"Is This Still Available?"

[ChiliPepperGarage]

I have a couple vehicles for sale and put them on Craig's List. I know CL is a cesspool of scammers so I always put "I will not reply to "Is this still available?" or other stupid inquiries" but of course, they still come pouring in. Here are some examples.

I ignore these and don't reply but I have to wonder what are they trying to do. Are they fishing to verify I have an active phone number? What is their scam and how are they trying to get $ from me? Feel free to call the numbers and harass them if you want!

 

[ChrisV]

Get it all the time. Ignore and move on.

 

[Sharky]

Some people forget to remove the ad once its sold.

I just reply back yes, it is still available or I just sold it.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

Some people forget to remove the ad once its sold.

I just reply back yes, it is still available or I just sold it.

What is their response when you tell them it is still available?

Seems to me if they are really interested they would ask other questions beside the availability.

 

[Flatsix66]

If you say Yes then their very next question is "what's the lowest you will take?"

 

[TimeBandit]

Set up a Google phone number that way you can answer even the stupid texts without exposing your information.

 

[Runs2rch]

Some people forget to remove the ad once its sold.

I just reply back yes, it is still available or I just sold it.

Or the age of the ad makes you think it probably sold.

 

[Runs2rch]

If you say Yes then their very next question is "what's the lowest you will take?"

With which you reply "what is the highest you will pay?"

 

[ChumpChange]

Seeing as they are sending you that directly on your phone and not within the app, I would still answer it. It’s verifying that they are talking to the right person when they send that message.

At the same time, I use OfferUp and when people send me that message I just reply yes. And sometimes they do respond. When OfferUp offers an automatic response such as “ is this still available”, you’re gonna get a lot of those messages.

Not everything is a scam.

 

[traquer]

Oh, I thought this was about FB marketplace. On there, the "Is this still available?" is the default question that's pre-programmed and you just have to hit send but only lazy and uninterested buyers do that, I always introduce myself and ask a legit question..

BUT, I think overseas scammers saw this on FB and decided to carry it over to Craigslist lol... Kind of like "Dear sir" they don't know that no one uses that phrasing, they just think it's official so it must be good LOL

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

I put it in the add "will not respond to is this still available"

 

[Dan Lorenze]

No big deal.. Just play the game and expect it.. I see it as a way of them opening the conversation even if they are wasting my time. My reply would be something like "Thanks for reaching out, I've been getting several calls on the Rock Crawler from people and I have a couple of guys coming over to look at it this weekend. If you like you can come over before them and check it out." Just play the game.

 

[ChumpChange]

I put it in the add "will not respond to is this still available"

You realize that people don’t read everything. They look at the picture and make an offer.

I remember my boss testing this theory and typing a long email to all the employees. In the last paragraph, she asked who we thought would win the Laker game that night and what the final score would be. Only one person out of ten people answered the question. I wasn’t the one.

Honestly there are so many old ads up on the sites, I just hit the button. I think 75% of people downloaded the app, put a couple things up for sale, and never went back to the app again. You can start to tell how long things have been up when they no longer show how many days it’s been since they’ve been posted.

 

[bilz]

Why would I type our more questions if it is not available? So many people forget to remove their ad.
I can't stand when they do not listen 4x4 if it is.
I have had a few that won't meet me outside the Police Station.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

they might want to know if it’s still for sale before wasting everyone’s time with a bunch of questions lol.

 

[Runs2rch]

I put it in the add "will not respond to is this still available"

You put these in the posting also I hope.

I know what I have!

No low ballers!

Meticulously maintained!

Open Checkbook!

Always stored indoors (when the pics clearly show its hammered sitting on the side of the house)

Never beached! (pics of boat on the beach)

Low hours (pic of her meter shows 970 hrs) Oh but they are all at idle!!!

Call only!!! Don't you dare text or email!

 

[Runs2rch]

they might want to know if it’s still for sale before wasting everyone’s time with a bunch of questions lol.

Exactly. If they reply back with no. It saves some time haha.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I put it in the add "will not respond to is this still available"

But that just makes you sound difficult to the buyer. I never put any comments like that in my ads. I want to lure guys in. I take great pics in my garage (that's as clean as an operating room). I casually tell anyone that calls that people are coming over, that really gets the juices flowing, it means others find it desirable too. It sets the hook.. I play the nice guy, I want them to make an offer and when they do I tell them that I just put the ad in and I'm gonna wait it out a little bit because I've been getting so many calls. The hook is set, start reeling them in. I can read people really well.

 

[Cobalt232]

Set up a Google phone number that way you can answer even the stupid texts without exposing your information.

^^ This. I use a Google Voice number for all this stuff. Even buying cars and stuff. I still get texts from dealers from years ago asking if I'm still interested in buying from them. Makes it super easy to ignore. It's free, but you just have to use it every few months to keep it going.

 

[C-2]

I buy a lot of stereo equipment and I refuse to deal with people that state "If you ask if it's available, your request will be ignored." It shows they are not reasonable.

Why not put "If that ad is up, the item is available"?

A lot of times on OfferUp it's hard to tell whether the add was put up last week, or six months earlier.

It also cracks me up when an item is "rare". Not usually

 

[Groper]

Some people forget to remove the ad once its sold.

I just reply back yes, it is still available or I just sold it.

Bahahahah, I sold a camper shell a week ago today on FB Marketplace and I immediately after lifting it off my truck to the new owner's truck marked my ad as "SOLD"
About an hour ago someone messaged me on FB asking if it was sold? really?

 

[Sharky]

It also cracks me up when an item is "rare". Not usually

Vintage is the buzzword now.

 

[82daytona]

So is it still available?

 

[Runs2rch]

So is it still available?

No.

"Just testing the waters"

 

[Runs2rch]

But that just makes you sound difficult to the buyer. I never put any comments like that in my ads. I want to lure guys in. I take great pics in my garage (that's as clean as an operating room). I casually tell anyone that calls that people are coming over, that really gets the juices flowing, it means others find it desirable too. It sets the hook.. I play the nice guy, I want them to make an offer and when they do I tell them that I just put the ad in and I'm gonna wait it out a little bit because I've been getting so many calls. The hook is set, start reeling them in. I can read people really well.

So you tell multiple lies.

Noted for when you post in the classifieds haha.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

So you tell multiple lies.

Noted for when you post in the classifieds haha.

It’s called sales..

 

[C-2]

If a seller refuses to answer questions I move on. Too me it says they are scared of a written record of representations.

I make sure to ask specific questions like, does it play sound, does it have all the pieces, does it work.

Basic stuff, but there are dirtbags who try to sell non working electronics. They claim to follow OfferUp meeting guidelines and meet you in a public place where the equipment cannot be tested.

Thus, the basic questions cover your ass.

 

[C-2]

It’s called sales..

Love ya DL but I also pass whenever somebody pulls that crap.

 

[Rennsport]

Sold my sons kart recently and I received the below message. At least give me a question mark at the end? Lol

 

[thmterry]

I put a RZR up for sale yesterday and within 1 minute I got asked if it was still available. I said yes and then the girl started asking questions. Some decent questions then some kinda weird questions. Next thing she is ready to buy but wants me to run a vinsvehicles.com report. I had heard of some scams like this and I said No. I checked her Facebook profile and it didnt pass the piss test either. The next 2 messages I got were "Is it still available"

 

[2Driver]

When ever I respond to “is it available” I get a return text with some bullshit link to click on. It not wirthbit

On CL I say call or dont bother or I use facebook marketplace as you can see the persons history and you are masked behind facebook messenger.

 

[Melloyellovector]

I put a RZR up for sale yesterday and within 1 minute I got asked if it was still available. I said yes and then the girl started asking questions. Some decent questions then some kinda weird questions. Next thing she is ready to buy but wants me to run a vinsvehicles.com report. I had heard of some scams like this and I said No. I checked her Facebook profile and it didnt pass the piss test either. The next 2 messages I got were "Is it still available"

What rzr you out up for sell?

 

[thmterry]

What rzr you out up for sell?

2019 XP4 1000 TURBO LE $19,800

 

[Desert Whaler]

Those look like some sort of ‘bot’ reply to me.
Or at the very least someone is replying to ads in ‘bunches’.
I can usually tell a scammer from someone who simply may not communicate well via typing.
If something seems even slightly off… it usually is… nothing worse than wasting time trying to sell an item. There’s plenty of buyers out there.

 

[One2go]

Had a new scam recently. Selling a pickup truck and two different people acting like they were ready to buy.... but ! Wanted me to pay for a vin check to see if it was damaged or salvaged. I told them car fax was 40 bucks or something and I would take off the price. They insisted on some new company, said their dad didn't trust car fax. Obviously was some way to make money. Lol. Told the FU. Also the people that won't actually call only messaging on Facebook or at most text after a couple messages back and forth I tell them no call the kick rocks.

 

[AZLineman]

I have over 100K in parts and engines for sale and I specifically state “If you are seriously interested send a credible message” Will not respond to “is this available” and every day I have a dozen ish of “is this available” then I look at their profiles at 9 out of 10 look like BS. It’s exhausting but there’s no way around it.

 

[Bigbore500r]

One thing i've noticed - if your on FB marketplace and so much as look at an item for sale, it will often send the seller an "is this available" message without you even doing anything. I've had it happen alot recently.

I always reply " sorry, didn't click anything, good luck with your sale".

I think Facebook is trying to generate activity to keep people posting and using marketplace

 

[gqchris]

Had a new scam recently. Selling a pickup truck and two different people acting like they were ready to buy.... but ! Wanted me to pay for a vin check to see if it was damaged or salvaged. I told them car fax was 40 bucks or something and I would take off the price. They insisted on some new company, said their dad didn't trust car fax. Obviously was some way to make money. Lol. Told the FU. Also the people that won't actually call only messaging on Facebook or at most text after a couple messages back and forth I tell them no call the kick rocks.

Steering clear of vehicle history report scams

The FTC has been hearing about a new scam targeting people who are selling their cars online.

consumer.ftc.gov

 

[Badchoices03]

I had a guy recently that listed an old dirtbike for $2700 that included of bunch of other riding gear, loading ramp and stuff I didnt want....I offered him $2500 but he could keep all the extra stuff...he said no and said $2700 for everything is lowest hed go...said Ok, no worries I would take it...but when i asked when he was available, he countered his own offer and said the lowest he would take is $3k because he had been getting a lot of interest in it....at that point I was out...

 

[Outdrive1]

I get those FB “is it still available” all day. 99 percent never reply when you say yes it is. I’m used to it, doesn’t bother me. I think I’ve seen all the scams at this point, and I just ignore them. Just part of of the game I guess.

 

[Kachina26]

2019 XP4 1000 TURBO LE $19,800 View attachment 1443827

Is it still available?


























J/K GLWTS