I love the concept of Gumtree and because I invariably sell locally I have never been scammed, though sometimes I have suspected the motives of some who send messages.
Today I posted an ad to sell a guitar I no-longer have space for and in less that a minute a person purporting to be 'Z' messaged me. This to me is suspicious as they responded so quickly; was I indeed so lucky as to be posting something that someone wanted just at the same time they were browsing? I think not. Here is our conversation.
Z - 14:13: Hi, is this still available? (An early response!)
Z - 14:14: ??
Me - 14:35: I have just posted the ad Z, so I guess it is still for sale.
Z - 14.36: Email my mate he'll be really up for this. His email is ........
Z tempting me to use my email system outside of Gumtree to get my detail.
Me - 14.38: I'd rather you tell your mate so they can take a look.
Me - 14.38: I'm thinking you're a scammer. Do you want this or not?
Z - 14:38: Lol.
Z - 14.39: I'm not mate.
Me - 14.39: Not interested or not scamming?
Z - 14.40: I'm in Luton. Can you come over with it?
Me - 14.40: Too far for me and will not post as guitar big and high value.
Me - 14.41: Is your mate in Luton or nearer to me (see map).
Z - 14.42: You mail him he might come and see it. What's your number or address?
Z is phishing for my telephone number or address now.
Me - 14.42: To speak to me your mate must contact me through Gumtree.
Z - 14:43: He isn't on Gumtree yet.
Me - 14.43: He should join - It's good.
Me - 14.45: We're getting nowhere Z - too far apart - this is the end of our line.
Z - 14.46: What do you mean?
Z - 14.46: I really want this guitar and will wire you the money and pay postage.
Z attempting a quick sale unseen so he can complain about damage later.
Z might be in America as few in the UK wire money - we transfer.
Me - 14.47: Goodbye Z.
Z - 14.50: My mate will contact you about this.
Z trying to disrupt sale as I don't know his mate's Gumtree ID.
Me - 14.55: Bye Z - go phish and scam elsewhere.
Me - 14.57: Deleted Conversation.
