Sal Kurban
10-26-2013, 8:59 PM
I had a very bizarre experience trying to sell an industrial woodworking machine. I listed in regional CL for thousands of dollars (per forum rules I am not revealing make brand condition etc). A lady from Chicago calls and asks very specific questions and I answered the questions via email relay. Not satisfied, she forwarded her number and wanted to discuss the machine further. I called her (she has a West African name and the number was a cellular number in Chicago) and speaking with a heavy African accent, she said she needed to ship the machine to Africa.
In the conversation she asked very specific questions about size and specs and I answered accordingly. She also was interested in trying the machine before buying and went on to negotiate a price. She said she needed to speak to her husband and she would get back with me in the evening. In the evening, she called back and wanted to make an arrangement to pick the machine the next day or so. I said I was not available the next day so it had to be Friday, and she did call me on Wednesday about the trip which is about 5 hours. She was asking if it was OK for her to take the bus and see the machine and if she liked it, to rent a U-haul and such. She also said she should perhaps ask her friend to borrow a Jeep and bring a trailer. I said this was beyond the capability of a Jeep because of the weight. Anyhow, I never believed this to be a bona fide transaction but she kept calling till Friday, after which she just gave up.
I am puzzled as to why would anyone waste their time and what the motive would be... After all, once you mention shipping to Africa you raise a red flag... In all the conversation, no other business transaction, no bank account info, no gold dust and no dormant account issue came up. Very specific questions about the machine and nothing else...
Anyone with a similar experience?
Sal.
In the conversation she asked very specific questions about size and specs and I answered accordingly. She also was interested in trying the machine before buying and went on to negotiate a price. She said she needed to speak to her husband and she would get back with me in the evening. In the evening, she called back and wanted to make an arrangement to pick the machine the next day or so. I said I was not available the next day so it had to be Friday, and she did call me on Wednesday about the trip which is about 5 hours. She was asking if it was OK for her to take the bus and see the machine and if she liked it, to rent a U-haul and such. She also said she should perhaps ask her friend to borrow a Jeep and bring a trailer. I said this was beyond the capability of a Jeep because of the weight. Anyhow, I never believed this to be a bona fide transaction but she kept calling till Friday, after which she just gave up.
I am puzzled as to why would anyone waste their time and what the motive would be... After all, once you mention shipping to Africa you raise a red flag... In all the conversation, no other business transaction, no bank account info, no gold dust and no dormant account issue came up. Very specific questions about the machine and nothing else...
Anyone with a similar experience?
Sal.