Do you guys think this is a scam?

[BrianDye]

So I see this ad on Craigslist:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/ele/2170710258.html

"apple ipad 3G 64GB with wifi- never opened- sealed - $400"
Date: 2011-01-20, 1:39PM EST
Reply to: [Errors when replying to ads?]
New with box. Warranty available


------------------------------------------------------------------------
So for $400, naturally I shoot the guy an email, I simply said let me know if you still have it, id like to buy it tomorrow. (Last night)

He (They) reply:

"Hi,

it is still available. Brand New, Factory Sealed, Factory Unlocked, All Accessories included and comes with a 1 year Apple care warranty.

We are a virtual online store registered in Miami and Pensacola, Florida.

Shipping to any destination is free of charge via (USPS or Fedex)

We are currently exercising a New Year special sale promo which will be limited for just 7 days, making it the reason why you have had the opportunity to purchase at such a discounted price. We also offer a Buy 2 Get 1 free(Smart Buy).

View Our Inventory: www.wirezincorporated.com
How many units are you looking at?

Let me know

Regards,
Depoe."

So I check the site out, and everything seems legit. Theres no reviews or ratings or anything though. I email back, and say "Well if this is legit, id buy 3 of them"

Response:

"Thanks for your response.

2 x Apple Ipad 64GB 3G + Wi-fi: $800

(Includes one extra unit for free)


We dont send out our serial numbers as it could tarnish the warranty on the units.


All units are Brand New, Factory Sealed, Factory Unlocked, All Accessories included and it comes with a 1 year Apple care warranty.

For payments we accept Western Union Money Transfer and shipment commences same day you make payment with provision of a tracking number confirming your shipment status.

We are Dun & Bradstreet Listed
Our Website: www.wirezincorporated.com
You can verify us from: www.dnb.com/us
Business Name: Wirez Inc
state: Florida

Your delivery is 100% guaranteed.

Kindly send your full delivery details if you are still interested to enable us prepare and send you a purchase invoice for your order. Photos attached

Regards,
Depoe."

He sent me 3 pictures in that email, of BOXES of iPads, probably showed me 100+ units.

Whats leading me to think its a scam
1. The fact that a brand new 64GB 3G is only 400$
2. The fact that theyre giving 1 away free when you buy 2
3. Wont send a serial number
4. Used that "Kindly send out full delivery details" like most scams use
5. Western Union.

Whats leading me to think its legit,
1. Theyre answering my questions, and actually know how to type
2. They have a legit looking website


(I recently started looking for deals on CL, some iPads are going for 300$ on there, and then I can sell them on eBay and make a little profit, all going to my bank account, to save for my new tranny)

 

[Gus Gorilla]

That Pensacola Adress is less than 6 miles from my house. I'll be out and about today anyhow. I think I'll drive by to see what's up. Your right. A deal that sweet should be questioned. But if it's real, I might get 3 and sell them all for a little profit.
Edit: I also checked the Pensacola Craigslist but they don't advertise on it as far as I can tell. Smells fishy? Why not sell close to home and save on shipping?

 

[cybergasm]

it is involving Western Union so it is probably a scam I would not do it

 

[techieman33]

Scam, apple controls new product very close, they would never let a vendor sell at that price. And anyone can make a legit looking website it's not that hard.

 

[dogfriend]

The Western Union payment method screams out scam to me. Once you wire the money it is gone. See if they will accept a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) because you can ask the CC company to reverse the charges if it turns out to be a scam.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do a search on the Better Business Bureau's website to see if they are registered, and if there are any complaints.

 

[Cozmik]

I agree with it being a scam. With a Western Union money order/transfer you have no way of actually finding out who got the money or getting it back if/when your iPad's don't show up.

<edit>- Just Googled them. Inconsistencies in address's and company names. No BBB reports. The regitered 'owner' shows up a few times for various companies, and Wirez Inc comes up as registered in 2007 and currently inactive in Florida. I think this is a quick way for you to lose $800.

 

[celly]

I agree with it being a scam. With a Western Union money order/transfer you have no way of actually finding out who got the money or getting it back if/when your iPad's don't show up.

Even Western Union tells you not to pay for goods like this with their service. I think it was pretty obvious it was a scam from the start withiout having to resort to EF for answers. Just because they sent a link to a webpage doesn't mean it's actually their's either.

 

[BrianDye]

Well in appreciate the responses guys, and no harm was done by posting this, let alone in the thread called "Everything under the sun."

I might exchange a few more emails and see if I can't get a couple serial numbers from them, and see if they accept anything besides WU.

 

[YBCold]

i think it s a scam. I just dont see why it could ever be "factory unlocked"

 

[celly]

I might exchange a few more emails and see if I can't get a couple serial numbers from them, and see if they accept anything besides WU.

 

[section525]

This scam is painfully obvious. That website was registred and created on December 27th of 2010. So they've been in business almost a whole month! Nothing screams scam about that. Western Union? I don't think they're ever used in any scams either. A price too good to be true? I've never heard any warnings about that. Seriously, I don't see how you could even think there is a 1% chance of this being legit.

 

[reapereviltwin]

Well in appreciate the responses guys, and no harm was done by posting this, let alone in the thread called "Everything under the sun."

I might exchange a few more emails and see if I can't get a couple serial numbers from them, and see if they accept anything besides WU.

Your right, nothing wrong with posting and asking for opinions, if this would of been a problem, a mod would of notified you.

I'm 100% in agreement with it being a scam, it's too good to be true and using WU are red flags. Plus the serial #'s might show up as stolen. Pics of boxes do not mean that anything is in the box. A link can be made to say whatever the seller wants it to say.
IMO, don't take the bait.

 

[cybergasm]

LOL winner right there ^^^^^

awesome and fitting pic right there

 

[Glen4X4]

How can I say this nicely.....Only a dumb sh*t would fall for that....all the clues to *scam* are there.....

 

[Joe Dirt]

Not an active corporation...

http://www.corporationwiki.com/Florida/Miami/wirez-inc-4263495.aspx

 

[BigRondo]

It is a 100% SCAM!!!

From craigslist's "How to avoid being scammed":

about > scams

Personal Safety Tips craigslist help forum



You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts on craigslist.
NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
DO NOT PURCHASE EXPENSIVE ITEMS SIGHT-UNSEEN - in all likelihood that that cheap item does not exist.

 

[corkey]

i can hear the music from the end of that Jackass movie now,

if your gonna be dumb, you better be tough,,

 

[lynchy wa]

I have a bridge for sale, Its in Sydney and spans the harbour. I only accepy western union as payment and if you purchase before the 31/01/11 I'll through in a free opera house.

 

[techieman33]

I have a bridge for sale, Its in Sydney and spans the harbour. I only accepy western union as payment and if you purchase before the 31/01/11 I'll through in a free opera house.

sweet, how much for it?