I posted an ad on TFF last week and got an offer from someone who's only posted twice on TFF, the first time being the day I posted the ad. I tend to wait and see whether they increase their activity before moving out on those type of responses.

For what it's worth I've had people do the same on some reels and they were not trying to scam me. Sometimes people will just google whatever they are looking for and if you have an ad on the forum it will come up on the google search. Not saying this is always the case but it does happen.

To the OP. This SCREAMS scam. Run far away!

I've sold boats, trolling motors, rods and reels, motorcycles and even cars on Craigslist. Sometimes I meet them in a safe place or after I talk with them, get a phone number that's legit I have them come to my house. Of course I don't let them in my house, I meet them in the drive way and have my CW on me. Never ever had a problem. I do not transfer money over the phone, do paypal or credit card, cash only. As with anything, stay cautious.

If they send money through Paypal and you do an immediate transfer to your bank how can this go bad?

That soldier's Mom wanted to buy a shotgun from me a few years ago.

Most definitely. It screams of scam. What usually happens in this situation is they pay and you deliver the goods and then they dispute saying they never received it or something and paypal always sides with the consumer.

And Yes people do actually do business there. I have sold and bought plenty of things with no issue but it has to be local and cash only.
You just have to weed through the scammers

Scam! THEY WILL STEAL YOUR BOAT.

Warning! Someone will come and take the boat away but the paypal payment will later be redacted and you will not have a boat or cash!

It was common not to long ago.

Awww... Tell him you need a picture to prove he is real and it needs to contain the same words as in this pic. There is a whole forum dedicated to teasing the scammers.

http://forum.419eater.com/forum/album_showpage.php?pic_id=569

Run!!!! Lol, if people spent half as much time actually working as they did devising these scams, they would be rich lol.

You can still get some good deals on tools, I picked up couple Hilti Jack Hammers last week for a great deal.

Just few and far between now of days to find the deals, most people want retail for used items.

There's a method of online transactions regarding purchases like this. It's called "face to face".

It is the ONLY way.

When I sell on CL it's designated in my ad that it is cash only/local pickup. That keeps the scammers away and doesn't waste my time.

I love teasing them.... I had some Europeans freaking out a few months back. It was hysterical when I flipped the script on them.

It's the only way.

I don't even respond to emails from Craigslist. I say please leave you phone number if interested and I will call you back asap if interested.
If you open and respond to an email you are opening the door to Spyware and viruses. Its not worth it.