Maintenance & Restoration

Donna D. · 11-10-2012, 11:36 AM

Francesca, I think the idea is to have one giant Scams thread that folks can post what they've found... to warn others, rather than a gazillion individual threads... at least I THINK that's the thought

Carol H · 11-08-2013, 05:54 PM

On Craigs list Ventura and Fiberglass-rv-4sale.com

1973 13' Boler in Ventura California $6000

Sellers do not seem to realize what they are doing is illegal. You can not just take a Canadian registered trailer regardless of its age and sell it in the USA without properly importing it to the USA first. Anyone who buys this trailer while it is in the USA will never be able to legally register or title it. .

Ad reads "Rare collector 1973 Boler trailer,
We are from Vancouver Canada and after 6 month adventure, wishing to sell by Mid-week. Cell. #1- 778-710-2085 gives you Bob or Lyn readily available here in Ventura to show this cute, little home in great shape and parked 1:00 pm to 4:00pm across from Fairgrounds at Surfside Beach. Come say Hi."

Bob Miller · 11-09-2013, 08:21 AM

I used to buy Toyota motorhomes for 6-12 month visitors from Australia and New Zealand, and then they (or I) would resell them at the end of their trips. Perhaps that is the case here. The Boler may have US registration and they can't take it back into Canada any more than we can just bring a Canadian rig down here.

I called the number and left a message and also send an email pointing out the possible problems. I suggested that they note the registration in the ad.

If it is Canadian they could be held at the border for leaving contraband in the U.S.

Here is the link: http://ventura.craigslist.org/rvs/4179606474.html

Selling it in SoCal is a good bet for best price and it's only a 2-3 day drive home for them.

Let's wait ands see if they reply, change their ad or, take it down all together.

In the meantime it can always be flagged.

Carol H · 11-09-2013, 08:47 AM

Bob, your correct it *could* have US registration but I did send them a note and asked about that and mentioned the problems with selling a Canadian Registered trailer in the USA..... NO response. Which is why I have flagged it. If they really want to sell it and its US Registered one would think they would respond.......

Bob Miller · 11-09-2013, 09:36 AM

I agree.... I still haven't gotten a reply to either my phone call or email. At about 10AM, just to protect any local buyers, I will contact the Ventura County Sherriff and advise them of Canadians illegally selling contraband at a public park and let them make a visit.

Carol H · 11-09-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

and advise them of Canadians illegally selling contraband at a public park and let them make a visit.

LOL well maybe if it is an out and out Scam it may be they are not Canadians either

Claiming it would make for a real good excuse for having vanished off the face of the earth if purchaser has any registration or other issues after the purchase.

Bob Miller · 11-09-2013, 10:16 AM

Ventura P.D. has been advised and, in as much as it is illegal to advertise a motor vehicle for sale on a public street, they will stop by for an informational chat with the sellers.

BUT: They can't act on the selling situation.

Carol H · 11-09-2013, 10:41 AM

Bob you have really gone to town on this one! To think I actually hesitated to post it as possible scam thinking it may not be appropriate before actually being able to confirm it was are was not a Canadian registered trailer.

Bob Miller · 11-09-2013, 12:18 PM

I just didn't want to have to see a thread in about 2 weeks titled "Help - How do I register an FGRV from Canada".

Actually the dispatcher balked a bit and asked me a lot of Q's. When he asked "What's it to you anyway" I said "Nothing, pretty much like it might have been nothing to him if the bus driver in Rochester, NY had just driven by the person that was going to jump off the bridge".

That seems to get his interest. Anyway, because of the "no selling vehicles on the street" law, they said that they will check them out.

Toad · 02-22-2014, 06:40 PM

A quick google search of the phone number will yield the same add in other states. I have had some fun with the scammers. I figure if I play with them it keeps them at bay for a short time.

SueP · 06-20-2014, 10:14 PM

'06 Casita Spirit Dlx for $3900.!! Wouldn't we all suspect that is a scam? Just posted 6/14/14 on Craig's List, Smyrna GA. (Wonder where he/she got the fotos?) Check out fightthescams.com - great place to uncover these shady dirtbags.

Mike Magee · 11-28-2015, 10:31 AM

I am glad to see the scammers on Craigslist becoming more inventive with their ad titles. It helps us identify the scam ads. Like this one I saw yesterday:
"2+0+0+1 C+++++++asi+++++++++ta Spirit Deluxe $2000 (P`R`E`F`E`R) pic [×]"
Anyone with an ounce of experience can smell the skunk who wrote that!

Also, some of the scammers are now superimposing their phone number on the picture of the RV, something the ordinary, honest CL seller would never take time to do.

These guys must be really stupid! They're making it easier to spot the crooks.

Bob Miller · 11-28-2015, 11:37 AM

They do the weird spelling in part so a suspecting buyer can't copy and google the odd spelling to come up with 35 other C/L ads for the same trailer.

Actually, when craigslist started suppressing the phone numbers it made it easier to scam and harder to chase frauds.

Borrego Dave · 11-28-2015, 02:59 PM

Yup, the C/L scammers have been hot and heavy. I've flagged to many to count and am just about through with trying to keep people from being stupid. Everyone's heard "If it sounds to good......" but maybe the only way they're going to learn it's true is to find out for themselves the hard way. The live and learn thing. Import/export from Canada may just be an honest mistake with not knowing the rules with some.