Dear So and So

[Owlie]

If you're otherwise healthy (not immunocompromised or anything), it's often totally asymptomatic, or it has symptoms similar to the flu and resolves on its own.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks ladies, that makes me feel much better!

[ny biker]

Dear migraines, okay, I get it, you can still make my life miserable for days on end even though my hormone cycles aren't what they used to be. You can go away now.

[Catrin]

Dear Wannabe Thief

You saw my bike ad on Craigslist and sent me an email expressing your interest. Something troubled me about your email that I couldn't pin down. So, I gave you the benefit of the doubt and responded and told you that I would be happy to meet you at my bike store this coming weekend. Your response addressed me by name so I know you read it, but you ignored my location/date suggestion and wanted to meet later that day. I repeated my original message. Oh yes, at some point your emails suddenly were coming from a different person, though the email address was the same. Weirder and more weird to come. Also, outside of the first message, you never actually referred to my "BIKE", but to my "item". No questions about a $1,500 full custom bike, you just really wanted to check out my "item". I was pretty sure at this point that you weren't legit but on the tiny chance that there was a reasonable explanation I didn't give up on you just yet.

Lo and behold, yesterday came two emails from you. Apparently you suddenly were admitted to the hospital for "4 weeks radio therapy treatment for my labyrinthitis" and you really wanted to purchase my "item" for your Cousin (since she is a girl) and you would "issue a bank official check to cover the cost and also add funds to cover the shipping to where it will be needed". First I've heard that vertigo requires "radio therapy treatment" but I'm no doctor. I responded that I accept cash or PayPal, and of course if you are in the hospital (sure he is) PayPal would be much easier for you and I would ship as soon as the funds hit my bank. You then responded that PayPal wasn't possible and you were ready to send that check, and he really wanted my name, address and phone number for that purpose.

Yep, you want to steal my lovely bike. I did respond one last time, simply stating that I do not accept checks of any type. There are all KINDS of warnings about fake cashier checks and money orders. Surprise, surprise, I've not heard from him since then.

------------------------------

So this is a cautionary tale, I think my days of attempting to sell on Craigslist is over. It was such an obvious attempt though, even if there was a very small doubt in my mind at first. The key is to trust your gut. Be careful when selling out there!

[IBrakeforPastry]

Catrin,
A few people can really ruin it for everyone. I'm glad you were on your guard to protect yourself, your home, and, of course, your bike.

[lauraelmore1033]

I've had responses like that for a lost cat ad, so ya know that couldn't even be a human being saying they are interested in purchasing my "item" (lost cat?)

[Irulan]

I always like the ones that are pulling a variation of that scam prefaced with "I am a good Christian..."