I am trying to sell some furnitiure on Craigs List.  I listed the items on Monday.  yesterday I got a response from an interested party.  His first response sounded legit.  He just wanted to know if it was still for sale.  Last night he sent another e-mail this one a bit more suspicious.  I had some free time so I composed an answer.  I don’t think he will respond but if he does I will let you know.

Suspicious E-mail from Micheal Smith

  I got all information i needed about it, since you can assure me the goodness of it, i will be purchasing it Like i said earlier, with additional $200 of your asking price. I wish i could visit  you to take a look at it but due to my present Business engagement, i will not be able to come over there to look at it or offer you cash in person, and we have a private shipping company that will handle everything after you have your money in hand. As there are too many scams on internet as regards buying and selling with large bogus account, we need to protect our self, that is why our mode of payment will be via electronic cashier check. Echeck is simple, secured, legal, fast and it is setup to eliminate the stress of  putting check in mail for days. You can read more on how i-versa check works at www.iversacheck.com and also to let you know more about its legitimacy. you must received cash from your bank before the shipping company will come to pick it up.  All what you just need to do is to get a business versacheck paper and versaink, cost of $51.97. Once you have this,  i will send the electronic check to your email for printing. You can then print and proceed to clear and cash the check at your bank. The cost of procuring the check paper and ink will be added to the bottom price. you can get business versa check paper and versa ink,  at office depot, officemax, staples or any stationary store wal-mart  shopping moll around. I will be waiting to read from you soon. get back to me as soon as you get the check paper and ink. you are not the only one i asked from, and first come first serve, buy the material  today, to make it faster.

Thanks God bless you.

My Response

Your offer of an additional $200 is very generous.  However, if you cannot pay cash I will have to raise the price to $2,500. The following is an itemized breakdown of the charges:

$650  Furniture

$200  Additonal- you offered so I will gladly accept

$750  Fuel/Transportation Charge- the closest Office Depot is 7.5  miles away, 15 miles roundtrip.  I estimate that the fuel charge and wear and tear on the car would work out to $50 per mile. 

$400  Meals- driving makes me hungry and I will need to eat after driving to Office Depot

$250  Snacks- driving makes me thirsty and it is hot out so I will need to stop in to a 7-11 and grab a Slurpee and some Corn Nuts

$250  Incidental Fees- my wife doesn’t understand business like we do and it will be very hard to explain this business transaction to her.  It is easier to give her $250 and tell her to shut up and go shopping.  $250 should be enough to buy her silence. 

Please let me know if these terms are acceptable.

Thank You and God Bless