Gumtree Ad...Scam ?

[alex b]

I have very recently (15 minutes ago) posted an advert on Gumtree to sell my car, I have just received a text message asking if they can view tomorrow, mid morning, as they work nights.

Now, the car isn't very special, nor is it cheap as chips giveaway. but am I right in feeling a bit suspicious ?

Could it be possible that I am replying to a premium rate mobile number ? Or am I being far too paranoid ?

I have replied saying I can only show the car at the weekend, & after being asked "name my time", I have replied saying I will text on Friday with a time.

[essexplumber]

alex b said:

I have very recently (15 minutes ago) posted an advert on Gumtree to sell my car, I have just received a text message asking if they can view tomorrow, mid morning, as they work nights.

Now, the car isn't very special, nor is it cheap as chips giveaway. but am I right in feeling a bit suspicious ?

Could it be possible that I am replying to a premium rate mobile number ? Or am I being far too paranoid ?

I have replied saying I can only show the car at the weekend, & after being asked "name my time", I have replied saying I will text on Friday with a time.

[twazzock]

Stop texting and tell them to CALL you.

[alex b]

twazzock said:

Stop texting and tell them to CALL you.

I will phone the number on Friday, on my works phone, not holding my breath on it being genuine though.

[busta]

So you've advertised your car and someone has replied swiftly asking to look at it. That sounds like a good thing. Did you not anticipate this happening?

[alex b]

busta said:

So you've advertised your car and someone has replied swiftly asking to look at it. That sounds like a good thing. Did you not anticipate this happening?

No not really

Didn't think there was much call for V6, 4wd autos at the moment.

[ensignia]

Why must every thing be a fking scam now? This really pisses me off; the amount of times I've heard people questioning whether they're being targeted by scammers for completely harmless and mundane enquiries is staggering. Use some common sense for Christ sake.

[FreeLitres]

alex b said:

No not really

Didn't think there was much call for V6, 4wd autos at the moment.

Correct - there isn't much interest in them!

[1954etype]

Google the first 4 digits of the number that should tell you it it's a premium.

[daemon]

FreeLitres said:

alex b said:

No not really

Didn't think there was much call for V6, 4wd autos at the moment.

Correct - there isn't much interest in them!

Everything sells if its priced correctly.

I'd a 3.3 litre petrol automatic Chrysler Grand Voyager in metallic brown with cream fabric interior and 210,000 miles on it and it sat for just half a day.

[DanielC4GP]

As long as the telephone number is a genuine UK landline or mobile it sounds okay to me.

[Hark]

Get them to ring you to sort a time out?

= sorted

[alex b]

Ok, I have just googled the number & it is an Orange Mobile number.....So will give the guy a call on Friday to arrange a time for him to view.

[OldSkoolRS]

It's OK don't bother calling me now as I don't like being called a scammer.

Just joking

[Nickyboy]

I always get txt messages about cars when i sell them, unfortunately mostly by people who cant string a sentence together so dont bother putting my number now, just email

[LovelyTia]

Might not be a scam.
My second to last car I communicated via text with the seller. I work shifts so do some odd hours and I ended up there a week later, brought it and drove it home.

Same with a set of alloys and tyres I'm looking at for the current car, these were only up for half a day, right price so I acted immediatly.
All communication has been via email/PM. I'm working nights at the moment and have arranged to head over to pay and pick the wheels up on the friday after I've finished my set of night shifts (this is £600 worth of wheels)
Not everything is a scam and in this day and age things are being done more and more via text and email.

[alex b]

LovelyTia said:

Might not be a scam.
Not everything is a scam and in this day and age things are being done more and more via text and email.

Ok, I'll bare this in mind & give the guy the benefit of the doubt,especially as he said he works shifts.

[Nuttah]

WTF you advertise a car somebody asks to view it so you think its a scam? what did you expect? somebody to buy it without viewing?

[Nick3point2]

alex b said:

Ok, I have just googled the number & it is an Orange Mobile number.....So will give the guy a call on Friday to arrange a time for him to view.

Why are you waiting until Friday? Do you want to sell the car??

[dome]

Nick3point2 said:

Why are you waiting until Friday? Do you want to sell the car??

My thoughts exactly. Chances are the buyer will have bought something else come Friday. You'll then be back on here telling us he was a scammer...