Almost scammed by gypsies on used toyota

[wfowahoo]

Selling daughter's 2009 tacoma.Last weekend four people show up.Go for ride with the front guy.Only go 100 yards ,he says its good and does a 180. He pulls in driveway and pops hood. His buddies crowd around. I'am 71,it took me a minute to get out of passenger seat.
All of a sudden smoke is coming off of left side of engine. Oil all over valve cover and exhaust manifold. They point at coolant reservoir,oil is in it. Then another guy says oil is coming out of exhaust pipe. He restarts engine and motor is misfiring and check engine light is on.
I wanted 10K for truck and they offer 5K,then 6K up to 9500. He pulls out a huge wad of cash.
I had a bad feeling about everything and shut the hood. Could not believe the motor went bad overnight. Looked like it blew a head gasket.

IT WAS ALL A SCAM. Disconnected a coil over plug,pour oil on exhaust manifold, pour oil in coolant tank, and shot oil up exhaust tip
They were fast and gang up on me about bad engine. Did not realize it was a scam at the time, just had a bad feeling about it and shut things down.

 

[Ziggy]

Selling daughter's 2009 tacoma.Last weekend four people show up.Go for ride with the front guy.Only go 100 yards ,he says its good and does a 180. He pulls in driveway and pops hood. His buddies crowd around. I'am 71,it took me a minute to get out of passenger seat.
All of a sudden smoke is coming off of left side of engine. Oil all over valve cover and exhaust manifold. They point at coolant reservoir,oil is in it. Then another guy says oil is coming out of exhaust pipe. He restarts engine and motor is misfiring and check engine light is on.
I wanted 10K for truck and they offer 5K,then 6K up to 9500. He pulls out a huge wad of cash.
I had a bad feeling about everything and shut the hood. Could not believe the motor went bad overnight. Looked like it blew a head gasket.

IT WAS ALL A SCAM. Disconnected a coil over plug,pour oil on exhaust manifold, pour oil in coolant tank, and shot oil up exhaust tip
They were fast and gang up on me about bad engine. Did not realize it was a scam at the time, just had a bad feeling about it and shut things down.

You did the right thing letting intuition guide you.

 

[crzy2bealive]

Thanks for the heads up! And this is part of the reason I hate selling shit

 

[lbhsbz]

What part of the world did they appear to be from? I will not do any sort of business with anyone who has a middle eastern sounding accent. 95% of the people I've met from that region are crooked.

 

[DWC]

How did they make contact with you? Still have their info?

 

[oldman]

I just donated a "well worn" Toyota to charity because I was fed up with the clowns. I was no where near 10K.

Thank you for the heads up.

 

[NicPaus]

I went through similar selling my last truck. Middle Eastern scam artists. I ended up selling to 2 of them but made them meet me at the bank and cash the cashier check for 38.5k


Today I got a call from the neighbor asking about all the cars on the block. He had the Sheriff out checking them. She said same owner has like a hundred parked around the city. I ran into the middle Eastern guy. He is buying them up and shipping to his used lot in Vegas. Said he is waiting on the semi truck. Tomorrow will be 72 hours and he will get 9 tickets if not moved.

 

[lbhsbz]

How did they make contact with you? Still have their info?

Every time I've had contact with these shitheads it's google voice (or some other temp. number they can disable quickly) or burner phones.

 

[lbhsbz]

Today I got a call from the neighbor asking about all the cars on the block. He had the Sheriff out checking them. She said same owner has like a hundred parked around the city. I ran into the middle Eastern guy. He is buying them up and shipping to his used lot in Vegas. Said he is waiting on the semi truck. Tomorrow will be 72 hours and he will get 9 tickets if not moved.

The one time you need a car thief....

Interesting that the Sheriff will show up for that but not give a fuck about stuff getting stolen.

 

[NicPaus]

The one time you need a car thief....

Interesting that the Sheriff will show up for that but not give a fuck about stuff getting stolen.

The neighbor that called is a city worker and his Bro is PD. He called her cell not the station. They were tracking my truck before the police report was made.

 

[Willie B]

Thanks for the heads up! And this is part of the reason I hate selling shit

… I used to be really good at selling shit… I could weed them out over the phone… But since I will be 80 in November… Not too sure how well I would deal with scammers now…

 

[Echo Lodge]

The exact scam just happened to my buddy a few weeks ago. ME guys. Buddy called me and explained the situation to me. Said the Toyota van was running perfect before they did the test drive. One distracted him as the other checked the engine. I told him they probably pulled a wire and poured oil on the engine. Once he told the ME Guys he was going to check with a friend about the engine they took off.

 

[lbhsbz]

… I used to be really good at selling shit… I could weed them out over the phone… But since I will be 80 in November… Not too sure how well I would deal with scammers now…

When I put my shitbox S10 up for sale a few years ago....listed on C-list and FB marketplace. I took notes (because I forget stuff)....out of 43 inquiries in the first 2 hours, only one was legit. I was ready to just hold onto till smog time, pull a plug wire so it failed and do the state buy back thing for $1500.

 

[HTTP404]

Many of the "newcomers" to our country are really into scams and theft.

 

[NicPaus]

These are the plates he has on most the vehicles. Easy to spot. Especially how he has them parked bumper to bumper.

I recently sold a new oven to another. He was crying over a $100. Saying he drove so far from burbank. Price he agreed to was 1500. Showed up trying for 1400. Have a nice drive back to Glendale! He then pulls out the 1500 and we stuff it in his G wagon. Cleared by a inch with back seats out.

 

[SoCalDave]

… I used to be really good at selling shit… I could weed them out over the phone… But since I will be 80 in November… Not too sure how well I would deal with scammers now…

I was never worth a shit at selling stuff, hell I can't even sell 20 minutes in bed to the wife with me much less an item to a stranger. LOL
Multiple people show up for a purchase is a trigger. Maybe 2 peeps if he has a mechanic with him to check things out but they ain't opening even the drivers door unless I'm right there on them.
Glad your instincts kick in before they took it any further.
GLWTS going forward...

 

[lbhsbz]

These are the plates he has on most the vehicles. Easy to spot. Especially how he has them parked bumper to bumper.

I recently sold a new oven to another. He was crying over a $100. Saying he drove so far from burbank. Price he agreed to was 1500. Showed up trying for 1400. Have a nice drive back to Glendale! He then pulls out the 1500 and we stuff it in his G wagon. Cleared by a inch with back seats out. View attachment 1508540

I made a few of those disappear from my neighborhood in the last couple months when the VIN on the plate didn't match the VIN on the dash.

 

[JL95]

4 people to buy a vehicle is some clown shit lol

 

[wfowahoo]

Iam in Long Beach,they claimed they were from Riverside. But it only took a hour to get here. The ad was on Facebook and they responded in two hours.

Still have phone number, would like to leave a F/U message but cautious about retaliation.

 

[lbhsbz]

Iam in Long Beach,they claimed they were from Riverside. But it only took a hour to get here. The ad was on Facebook and they responded in two hours.

Still have phone number, would like to leave a F/U message but cautious about retaliation.

You have plenty of friends in Long Beach.....put up a post if you'd like some company next time some perspective buyers are on their way.


On another note, I might be interested in the Tacoma. I'll send you a PM.

 

[CLdrinker]

Is said truck listed here?

 

[JayBreww]

Happened to a buddy at work as well.
He had it all on his Ring Camera, guy takes a jug out his pocket and pours it on the engine and unplugged the MAF.

 

[coolchange]

How stupid do these ME guys think we are? Own a vehicle for 8 years and suddenly it’s puked oil everywhere? Thanks for the heads up. They roll up on me like that I’d tell them to fuck right off and turn around.

 

[NIKAL]

Not a vehicle but a washer & dryer I was selling for $600. I had 3 people interested and wanted it. I tell them first come first gets it. One guy is waiting for a friend to get home to help him come get it. Another guy says if I let him buy them he will give me an extra $100. Again first come first get. The guy who offered me the extra cash shows up with a U haul and then after his “buddy” checks them out tells me they are not worth the asking price. I asked if he’s the guy that said he’d pay $100 more if I held them. At first said no, but than said yes, but now he had to rent the u-haul, and cant give me the extra $100. Then his buddy starts to question if they worked, as why would I sell them. They were still hooked up and I offered to run them. He then says he thought they were newer and says I was trying to trick them, and offers me $200 below my $600 price take it or leave it.

I told him nope I’ll sell to the other guys. He gets all pissy and says fine I’ll pay asking. I said nope you had your chance. Bye! He starts to get pissed because he rented a u haul and tells me I have to sell them to him as he’s first. If I don’t I’m breaking the law. I said call the police, because I’m telling you to leave. He cusses me out and drives off. He later reported me as a scammer on Offer Up,

The following day the other guy & his friend finally shows up and buys the washer & dryer, no haggling and actually apologizes for not coming the day before. Nice younger guy, says he just got married and has a new born and they got their first place that had W&D hook ups.

When Ive sold stuff I never have them come to my house. But with a wash & dryer I had too. Probably the last time I will do that.

 

[Bajastu]

I work in the heavy equipment industry and lots of these douche bags have tried this on heavy equipment. I’ve told a few of them to leave the yard and never come back. I’ve had them pour oil on the exhaust manifold to create smoke and in that particular area, there’s no possible way oil could leak in that spot. Fucking idiots. Not my first rodeo.

 

[Bajastu]

Someone mount a GoPro in the engine bay next time, this would be awesome.

 

[welldigger00]

This is why I don’t sell anything. Big ticket items, yes. But trinkets? Nope. I see guys selling knick knacks on here from time to time. Like the guys selling the wall outlets. I prefer to just fill my shed and garage up with that shit, then get sick and tired of it, then I drag it out to the curb where the trash cans go. People walk off with it, and they’re happy, and I’m happy. I don’t have the patience to deal with haggling anymore.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

 

[Ragged Edge]

Not a vehicle but a washer & dryer I was selling for $600. I had 3 people interested and wanted it. I tell them first come first gets it. One guy is waiting for a friend to get home to help him come get it. Another guy says if I let him buy them he will give me an extra $100. Again first come first get. The guy who offered me the extra cash shows up with a U haul and then after his “buddy” checks them out tells me they are not worth the asking price. I asked if he’s the guy that said he’d pay $100 more if I held them. At first said no, but than said yes, but now he had to rent the u-haul, and cant give me the extra $100. Then his buddy starts to question if they worked, as why would I sell them. They were still hooked up and I offered to run them. He then says he thought they were newer and says I was trying to trick them, and offers me $200 below my $600 price take it or leave it.

I told him nope I’ll sell to the other guys. He gets all pissy and says fine I’ll pay asking. I said nope you had your chance. Bye! He starts to get pissed because he rented a u haul and tells me I have to sell them to him as he’s first. If I don’t I’m breaking the law. I said call the police, because I’m telling you to leave. He cusses me out and drives off. He later reported me as a scammer on Offer Up,

The following day the other guy & his friend finally shows up and buys the washer & dryer, no haggling and actually apologizes for not coming the day before. Nice younger guy, says he just got married and has a new born and they got their first place that had W&D hook ups.

When Ive sold stuff I never have them come to my house. But with a wash & dryer I had too. Probably the last time I will do that.

Cool that the young family ended up with them instead of the DBag.

 

[NicPaus]

The guy that bought my oven said he is a appliance repair guy. Can't imagine how many little old ladies he has fucking ripped off over the years. That oven was $3400 plus tax. He got a steal of a deal at 1500 and was still crying over 100. If I didn't need the space I would of told him to fuck off when he tried for 1400 and let him drive.

 

[TPC]

Gypsies hitting on us with a scam at Flying J in Barstow,, in the Walmart parking lot here in Simi,, Walmart and gas station in Vegas,, always,, they drive away in new Expeditions.

 

[NIKAL]

Cool that the young family ended up with them instead of the DBag.

Yeah it was meant to be. They were a great W&D. At the time I think they were 15 years old, but looked almost new and worked great. Still had the protective film on the control panel. They were a Kenmore/Whirlpool extra large tub top load. Simple rotary dial. The only reason we got rid of them was our current house has an actual laundry room in the house, and the washer was loud, even with the door closed you heard it throughout the house. The old house they were in the garage and you could not hear them running.

Long story short my grandfather had a rental property and some tenants were moving out of state and their couple years old washer & drier & fridge could not fit in the U Haul, so they left them behind. My grandfather felt bad and bought the fridge off of them and put it back in the house, and he offered the W&D to me if I wanted them. So I got an almost new Whirlpool washer & drier set that was way quieter then my original set.

But the old ones were great as it was so big you could wash all your darks or lights in one load. You could wash a King size bed spread or sleeping bags no problem.

 

[Your ad here]

This is why I don’t sell anything. Big ticket items, yes. But trinkets? Nope. I see guys selling knick knacks on here from time to time. Like the guys selling the wall outlets. I prefer to just fill my shed and garage up with that shit, then get sick and tired of it, then I drag it out to the curb where the trash cans go. People walk off with it, and they’re happy, and I’m happy. I don’t have the patience to deal with haggling anymore.

I have a $500 policy... if I cant get over $500 for something or if it's not worth $500 it just goes in the trash. I've lost so much time of my life selling shit for under $500 the money wasn't worth it. Giving it away is worse. I refuse to set stuff out because it's like feeding the animals or a pissed off wife will be yelling at you. I smash it and toss it.

 

[Andy B.]

What part of the world did they appear to be from? I will not do any sort of business with anyone who has a middle eastern sounding accent. 95% of the people I've met from that region are crooked.

Yep!!! I profile for reasons like this!

 

[lbhsbz]

I have a $500 policy... if I cant get over $500 for something or if it's not worth $500 it just goes in the trash. I've lost so much time of my life selling shit for under $500 the money wasn't worth it. Giving it away is worse. I refuse to set stuff out because it's like feeding the animals or a pissed off wife will be yelling at you. I smash it and toss it.

Pretty much the same over here....but I bump it to $1000, unless it fits in one of the boxes I keep in stock to ship easily....then I throw it on ebay and take whatever.

Marketplace / Craiglist is a joke these days. I'm really not sure why they still exist. eBay at least somewhat vets their sellers, and the buyer and seller don't need any interaction at all....the feedback system somewhat self-polices everyone. While not without it's faults, it's the best platform that exists today for selling used stuff.

 

[OCMerrill]

In order for me to do a private "Condo / House" Repair I actually interview them. If they are middle eastern I generally pass unless I have known them for years.

None of the imports are here to make American friends. They are here to scam, they are here for money, and they are here for freedoms they never had living where they came from. They don't need Americans except to use them.

If you think what I am saying is bullshit then start any service business you like. After a while you'll get it.

 

[johnnyC]

In order for me to do a private "Condo / House" Repair I actually interview them. If they are middle eastern I generally pass unless I have known them for years.

None of the imports are here to make American friends. They are here to scam, they are here for money, and they are here for freedoms they never had living where they came from. They don't need Americans except to use them.

If you think what I am saying is bullshit then start any service business you like. After a while you'll get it.

i wont deal with them...... all dishonest

 

[boatpi]

Just so you know, this is a felony. It’s attempted grand theft.

 

[lbhsbz]

Just so you know, this is a felony. It’s attempted grand theft.

How so? It's my understanding that if money changes hands and the title is signed over willingly, there is no "theft'.

 

[boatpi]

So let’s say the Toyota is worth 10,000 this person intentionally damaged the vehicle and tried to buy it for let’s say 5000. You were being tricked that’s part of the intent and different types of theft and over $1000 is grand theft so they committed an act and tried to get you to sell it for less than you told him was worth the difference in those two prices would be the amount of attempted theft

It’s a bunco type of crime trick or device. And they’re tricking device was the oil and other substance use and damage in the vehicle in attempt to reduce the value.

Probably falls under 532 PC theft by false pretenses it’s all a type of bunco crime.

If in fact, money had changed hands the difference between what you were asking and what their act cause it to be worth let’s say 5000. It would’ve been completed type of bunco or grand theft as this is an attempt only.

 

[colenighthawk]

How do you guys know that their gypsies?
They speak another language?

 

[lbhsbz]

How to you guys know that their gypsies?
They speak another language?

Because there were 4 of 'em and they attempted to carry out a textbook plan to fuck him.

Here's another one, posted a few days ago....

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/new-selling-used-car-scam.546770/

If law enforcement wasn't so fucking worthless these days, they might do something about it.

 

[wzuber]

In order for me to do a private "Condo / House" Repair I actually interview them. If they are middle eastern I generally pass unless I have known them for years.

None of the imports are here to make American friends. They are here to scam, they are here for money, and they are here for freedoms they never had living where they came from. They don't need Americans except to use them.

If you think what I am saying is bullshit then start any service business you like. After a while you'll get it.

Yep, and unfortunately in my experience the Chinese aren't any better.

 

[TPC]

How do you guys know that their gypsies?
They speak another language?

Is the term getting gyp't on a transaction from Gypsie or,,, Egypt?

 

[OCMerrill]

Yep, and unfortunately in my experience the Chinese aren't any better.

Agreed. Imports from the Asian region including the Middle East is just a wild card. There are good folks but winning the lottery might be easier than finding one.

I just recently sold my 02 Yukon that I listed on here. Not one RDP'r minus on guy that came out and drove it I thing just to test the waters of what was available.
So on to FB Market place and the swindling shit show.

I will never sell a used car again. I will donate it first.

 

[NicPaus]

Agreed. Imports from the Asian region including the Middle East is just a wild card. There are good folks but winning the lottery might be easier than finding one.

I just recently sold my 02 Yukon that I listed on here. Not one RDP'r minus on guy that came out and drove it I thing just to test the waters of what was available.
So on to FB Market place and the swindling shit show.

I will never sell a used car again. I will donate it first.

And people wonder why us Contractors have to charge so much. Overhead has gone crazy in CA. And dealing with getting scammed. I worked on a 6 million dollar house where the owners played everyone and paid none. They have several huge dealerships locally. Foreign folks.

We can't take money up front and have to bank every job if you follow the rules. I am currently getting hustled by some white folk I would of never expected. To the tune of over 40k.

 

[boatpi]

Couple of contractors in Vegas told me that some of the wealthiest people play them like a fiddle for the last payment just string them along

 

[Romans9]

And people wonder why us Contractors have to charge so much. Overhead has gone crazy in CA. And dealing with getting scammed. I worked on a 6 million dollar house where the owners played everyone and paid none. They have several huge dealerships locally. Foreign folks.

We can't take money up front and have to bank every job if you follow the rules. I am currently getting hustled by some white folk I would of never expected. To the tune of over 40k.

After reading most of your posts for several years I do not know how you keep your sanity.

I wasn’t going to take the time to start a thread about my newest building (house) project but I think I might to contrast what it is like to do business around here (Missouri).

Hope you don’t get beat out of that 40K….

 

[NicPaus]

After reading most of your posts for several years I do not know how you keep your sanity.

I wasn’t going to take the time to start a thread about my newest building (house) project but I think I might to contrast what it is like to do business around here (Missouri).

Hope you don’t get beat out of that 40K….

My Nieces and Nephews just cleaned the boat. About to go out and regain my sanity. This is my escape. The River. Without it not sure I would be able to be nice to everyone.

For every bad customer I have 10 great ones. But the bad will make you lose a lot of sleep.

2 of my Contractor buddies I am hanging with this weekend. Do big projects. One got burned for 2 million a few years ago. Another a huge lump.

Another 1 is not out here now. But recently got took for over 400k. The guy he had done a lot of jobs for. Was like "just write of the loss". Like it was no big deal.

 

[TPC]

Gypsies: