Questionable (at best) Craigslist Ads

[Bearkat]

http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4273899539.html

Does this type of thing come up often? I have only recently started searching regularly. Fresh grind marks on the impact, at least to my eyes and saying in the ad that the serial numbers wore off. Nuts.

 

[jkwilson]

I'd call the police. That's not questionable, they are clearly stolen.

 

[drivesitfar]

Craigslist isn't a perfect place to buy and sell things so use common sense. ground off serial #'s seen a little suspect that is for certain. of course there are some guys that beat the holy heck out of their tools.

the guys hands holding the one tool do look like he is a pretty hard worker. send emails or talk with folks selling items on Craigs enough to get a good feel if they are real and you can buy and sell many things and meet some great people.

good luck

 

[Farmall 1066]

Meth can also give the appearance of hard working hands!
Not going to say I haven't bought some questionable stuff of CL, but this flat out screams stole to me!

 

[Jsf721]

No sure where the serial number are located, but the ratchets look to be in good enough condition that they should not be "worn off" As much as I love to get a "deal" I would not buy these just based on the fact that I would not want to fund this guys habit of stealing tools from hard working mechanics who have invested in their craft.

 

[Two Door]

.... I would not buy these just based on the fact that I would not want to fund this guys habit of stealing tools from hard working mechanics who have invested in their craft.

Nor would I want to identify myself to him as someone who has tools.....

 

[Bearkat]

I wouldn't even take them for free. I don't want stolen items in my box and I dang sure don't want to deal with a thief.

 

[Beachside Hank]

Anybody seen a Kenetik battery that was stolen at a car show recently?

 

[Pumpman1968]

Yeah........I would place a call the local PD. Clearly stolen. Someone.....maybe even a member from here........spent a LOT of their hard earned cash on those tools. No junk. Everything there cost in the hundreds when new. I can't stand a thief.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Holy ****, I've seen some questionable stuff on there, but that is about as blatant as it gets with stolen tools for sale!

Probably wouldn't hurt to call the local PD and inform them there are some high dollar tools with freshly ground off serial numbers for sale. Who knows, they might have had someone recently report some stuff stolen. It's a long shot, but never hurts to try and help out if someone got part of their lively-hood ripped off.

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

Well reading the ad seems like $30 isn't for everything do to the fact of he says if you buy 3 or more Ill give you a better deal. But who in the world grinds the side of there impact like that. But not sure why the serial numbers on the back of the gun would be worn. Yea I wouldn't even think about showing up to that deal. Theres deals out there but that isn't no deal that's straight up trouble

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I agree with the others on this topic. I wouldn't even call him. If you do then he has your number and knows you have perhaps comparable tools as well. A lot can be found out about someone by just a cell or home phone number. Just call the PD via their local line and give them the heads up. If the tools are stolen the owner will be thankful someone did the right thing. I can't stand people who steal. The owner worked hard to buy those tools or they could have been handed down etc by a deceased family member.

 

[3baygarage]

I don't even think a thief could sell stuff that cheap. Probably a scam and I bet if you contact him he wants 30 bucks for the cheapest item.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I don't think $30 is the price either. That's just to **** you into reading the ad.

But like you guys said, who grinds side of impact???.....engraved name once there maybe??

And the comment about Serial #s worn off is way out of place.

I vote stolen as well.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Stolen

 

[CNGsaves]

Some of those are likely the haul from Snap-On truck that was stolen and burned recently in Houston suburb. See this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228220&highlight=stolen+truck

CALL THE COPS !!

 

[zkling]

How the heck does one "wear off" a serial number?

Hello I'm trying to sell these tools I have, they have been put to good use and are in great working condition! I need the cash rather than these tools. If your interested let me know and if you want more than 3 then I will cut a deal! No serial numbers on them because they were worn off. I need them gone! Make an offer! Also selling a brand new Kenetik battery that I won at a car show! Make an offer!

 

[kythri]

How the heck does one "wear off" a serial number?

Lots and lots and lots of polishing?

 

[Mike007]

That pisses me off. Sure, the serial number wore off.

I bought a vacuum pump on Ebay many years ago and it arrived with the serial# scratched off. I was pissed. Contacted Ebay, nothing came of it.

 

[MikeF2316]

How the heck does one "wear off" a serial number?

Lots and lots and lots of polishing?

Doesn't everybody polish their tools with 40 grit?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Some of those are likely the haul from Snap-On truck that was stolen and burned recently in Houston suburb. See this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228220&highlight=stolen+truck

CALL THE COPS !!

Wow, never caught that thread. I'd definitely call the PD and say there may be a connection. Then at least they'll actually look into it.

 

[drivesitfar]

maybe the Craigs guy isn't the theif, but i'm guessing he met or knows the AHOLE. Maybe GJ should be changed to Crime Stoppers. i'll be watching the thread to see results. Nice Work guys.

 

[scw1991]

I've bought and sold a lot of stuff on CL and I hate hearing stories of how these guys in the trades have their stuff stolen either at job sites/garages/shops or out of their trailers. Use of tools is their livelihood and how they put food on the table and pay to keep a roof over their head.

I simply will not stoop to that level all in the name of getting a "bottom feeder" price.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I vote tweeker looking for a fix.

 

[Cap'n]

I almost think that ad is a fake. Honestly, who would be that stupid to say the serial numbers were worn off right in the ad, and show a picture of a clearly messed with tool?

I know, there are lots of stupid thieves out there, but this is just asking for someone to call the cops on you.

Who knows, though. I would still alert the local police dept just in case. They would appreciate the tip.

 

[zkling]

I almost think that ad is a fake. Honestly, who would be that stupid to say the serial numbers were worn off right in the ad, and show a picture of a clearly messed with tool?

I know, there are lots of stupid thieves out there, but this is just asking for someone to call the cops on you.

Who knows, though. I would still alert the local police dept just in case. They would appreciate the tip.

You don't visit Craigslist often do you?

 

[Cap'n]

You don't visit Craigslist often do you?

We don't really use Craigslist in Canada as much so no, I don't.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

You don't visit Craigslist often do you?

lol....same thing I was thinking. I have met/dealt with the DUMBEST people on CL. Head full of rocks I swear!

 

[Cadillac fan]

Doesn't everyone clean their tools with a sandblaster and angle grinder?

This goes on all the time. My friend does a lot of buying and selling of tools and he will always ask for receipts or some sort of identification to prove their authenticity.

Unfortunately a lot of the sales do fall through because the people can't prove that they actually own them or they are missing serial numbers. At least he goes to the police and tells them about the incidents and they usually go and recover the stolen gear.