Creepy Craigslist

So I finally got around to listing Ali’s old Iphone 3GS on Craigslist.  I sold my old 3G in a matter of hours, I expected much the same with this 3GS.  I did some research of the current asking price of used 3gS’s on the site.  I priced mine at $250 FIRM which undercut anything else out there, plus I was including the box and all the accessories.  There was nothing wrong with the phone.

My first inquiry came via a text message.  The message asked what the lowest was I would take for the phone and if I would drive to Cape Coral.  I was instantly annoyed since the person was too lazy to even call me and second that he is trying to negotiate when I already stated I was firm on the price.

I texted him back 250 was still the price and I wasn’t going to drive to Cape Coral. (45-60 minutes away)

Then a few minutes later I get a phone call from the same number.  It is some guy with an accent that makes understanding him not easy.  I make out that he is interested in the phone and again asks how much I want for it.  I said “$250, just like the ad says”

The guy tells me I am going to have a hard time selling it for that much if the phone isn’t jail broken.  I told him that jail breaking a phone doesn’t cost any money, anyone can do it with a quick search on the internet.  He said he would give me $225.  I told him “no thanks, I’ll just hang on to it” and hung up.

So a few minutes later the guy calls back AGAIN.  “Ok I will buy the phone for $250”  After some confusion we manage to agree to meet at noon at a 7-11 off the highway.

I get there right on time.  About 12:05 I get a call from “Roland” saying he is just passing exit 123 (12 miles away) but he should be there soon.  Ok, whatever.

Roland finally comes rolling up in his beat up old Ford Taurus.  He is not alone, there is a creepy looking younger guy in the passenger seat that I never interact with.  Roland is an older guy somewhere around 60 if I would guess.  He had on shorts that were too short for a man his age.  On his left thigh was a huge tattoo that took up most of the area.  He also had a number of tattoos on each arm.

As I shook his hand I noticed the dirty nails and yellowed fingers.  I found out later he smoked Camel unfiltered cigs for 42 years.  He has since moved on to E-cigarettes.

Anyway, I get the phone out and show it to Roland.  I had done a clean wipe of it last night saoit just loaded the “Connect to computer” screen.  He looks it over and then says “ok I want to just quick hook it up to something in the car to test it out”  Immediately the red flag goes up.  I am not hip to the latest and greatest Iphone hacks but I had no idea what he was trying to pull, maybe grab sim card info so he can use it elsewhere, I had no idea.

I say to Roland, “No.  I don’t want the phone hooked up to ANYTHING until you buy it.”  Roland says “Well then how do I know everything works?”  I am now clearly agitated.  I say to him “Listen, everything works, I’m not looking to rip anyone off.  If you don’t believe me then you don’t have to buy the phone.  I have 5 people lined up behind you that will buy it.”

Roland realizes I am not going to relent so he does.  He finally gives me the money.  I count the cash, thank him and get the f out of there.  It set the new high mark as the creepiest Craigslist transaction I have had to date as a buyer or seller.  Oh well I was happy to score $250 for the phone, it more than pays for the upgrade to the Iphone 4.

I immediately removed the ad from Craigslist, hoping to minimize the amount of further creepy calls I may receive.