SCAM ALERT ON MULTIPLE CRAIGS LISTS - Watch Out!

If its too good to be true, it usually is....

Apparently on at least 9 different Craigs Lists (Annapolis MD, North Jersey, New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Norfolk VA, Raleigh NC, Columbia SC - I stopped searching after this but probably many more cities too) there is a Mark Levinson No. 390S cd player/processor being advertised for $600 barely used in mint condition.  The unit retailed new for $6700.

I wanted it, so I inquired.  Apart from thinking, was this unit stolen, I thought maybe this was being sold through a divorce or some other circumstance, or perhaps the person selling it just didn't know what they had.  HifiShark showed that this unit has sold for over triple this asking price, so I was eager to buy it before others could get it from me.  

Well, here's the email and text exchange and I'll let you decide if you think it's a scam:

I called and got voice mail so I left a message and texted that I was very interested in buying the unit.  The person responded, "Hi, my work schedule is crazy..leave your email and I will send you pics & details with the 390S player."

I left my email address and a Carrie Franklin emailed me.  I sent another text, "Thanks for your email Carrie, I'd like to buy it from you, so just let me know when I can pick it up and I can give you cash or I can paypal you the funds, whichever you prefer" and then gave her my location

Her text response:  Please write by email, my work schedule is crazy (Reasonable enough I thought)

Carrie's Email:

Hi,
Excellent condition, like new. The CD player belonged to my father who passed away last year after a long bout with cancer and I want to sell it because I don't need it. I have all original packing materials, manual and box.

The No. 390S has a very high quality preamp inside, so it can drive an amplifier directly when it is set to variable output mode. It can also be used with a preamplifier in either fixed or variable mode. It is called a player processor because it has two digital inputs so it's digital to analog converter can be used for other digital sources.
My final price is $ 600 .
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you!

I replied:

Thanks for the info Carrie; I’m so very sorry to hear of your father. I lost a brother several years ago to cancer :)
>
> At any rate, I’d like to buy this unit from you & can pay you cash or send you a PayPal whichever you prefer or can give you a deposit via PayPal. My schedule is flexible and I’m located in Wynnewood so just let me know how you wish to conduct the transaction. Is there any other stereo gear you are selling?
>
> Thank you very much,
> Sincerely,
> Louis 

 
I didn't hear back and I figured at that price, she probably has gotten tons of inquiries and sold it to someone else, so I wrote another email:

Hi Carrie,

Any further updates on when we could complete the transaction? I have cash for you and can meet you at your convenience. One thing that is crucial, if it is all packed up, is that the transport screw is in place to lock down the transport mechanism before the player is substantially moved.

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Louis  

A few hours later she wrote back:

Hello Louis,
The CD player belonged to my father who passed away last year after a long bout with cancer and I want to sell it because I live in town and I don't need it. The CD player is located in Benton ready for transit and it can be delivered to a designated location of your choice with no cost, with a 5 days return policy if it is not as I described. The 5-days inspection period will allow you to check the CD player and make sure that it is exactly as I described before making the final purchase. If the CD player is not as I described, then you return it back on my expense, but I am sure that it will not be the case because there is nothing wrong with it as it's new. If you are you are serious and have sufficient money to buy it, then all I need is your full name and address to make the paperwork, a shipping address and a phone number where the shipping company can contact you for appointment once they reach in your area.

I`ve contacted eBay regarding this issue and they told me that they offer a program that is created especially for this type of transactions that protects both of us. Regarding the transaction, you will send the funds to eBay and they will keep the money until you receive the CD player and inspect it. In this way both buyer and seller are 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.
I want to conduct this deal in good terms for both of us, I have been screwed once and I don't want that to happen once again. I'm a professional person, I don't have time either to mess people about or to have my time wasted.Thank you,

I responded with:

Thanks Carrie, I’m going to pass on this; the terms of the transaction are too difficult & cumbersome.  I’ve been buying and selling used audio gear for over 35 years and not comfortable with your terms of sale.
Thanks,
Louis

It's crazy all the scams people are trying to run on CL these days.  Careful out there folks.

(P.S. - Do a CL search with the word "Preamp" in the search bar.  Let's see how many more cities this $600 Mark Levinson cd player is advertised in