Craigslist deal gone stupidly bad, what to do next?

[Silence2-38554]

Hey everyone, I currently find myself in a very annoying situation that I've never been in before & am simply seeking some advice. This all started a little over a week ago. I sold a 4k LG computer monitor on craigslist for $300. Unfortunately, I made two classic mistakes that I will never make again- I had him come pick up the monitor from my apartment, so he knows where I live. Second, I allowed him to pay with a personal check.

Four days after the transaction, I check my bank account to find that the $300 has been withdrawn. I call my bank & after looking into it, they discover it was because the buyer put a stop payment on the check. I have such little experience with checks, I didn't even know this was a thing he could do when I accepted it. So, I call him & while being very dismissive, he says "oh, yeah.... It's busted. It doesn't work." Please keep in mind that I've worked in IT for over 10 years, know that model of monitor very well & know for a fact it was in perfect shape when it left my possession. Then he says "I'll send you a picture" & hangs up.

Great, so... hours go by with no picture. The next day rolls around... no picture. After multiple equally dismissive phone calls & "promises" to send the photo of the "damage", I agreed to taking the monitor back, just to be done with it and move on. We agreed that he would return it at 11am yesterday, which of course he did not show up. This morning, he texted saying he got busy and will return the "broken merchandise" at his convenience.

After looking into this type of situation, it seems like the thing to do would be to take him to small claims court. I have plenty of documentation to support my case, video footage of him picking up the monitor, screen shots of our text & email conversations, etc., but here's the thing- Upon looking into him via some very basic google searching, this guy has a record. He's been arrested for assault (on an elderly person), theft, possession of a controlled substance, which, if I were to guess based on his behavior, would be coke. He's also been arrested in at least three different states across the country. Despite all this, he also seems to own an architectural firm here in town?! It's just mind boggling.

So here is my dilemma. It's $300. I don't honestly -really- care about the money, at this point it's more the principle. My knee jerk reaction is "fuck this guy, I'm gonna take him to court because I know I could win & in California, I can demand 3x the original amount for damages, plus court fees, so I could win close to $1k & teach this guy a lesson". However, because I was too trusting initially, he knows where I live, with my wife, cat & dog. Risking really pissing him off over a stupid computer monitor is not worth it AT ALL knowing he could come here and do something stupid & violent.

As far as I can tell, my options are:

-Do nothing. Let it go, maybe even tell him to keep the monitor so he doesn't feel obligated to return to our home.

-Proceed with a small claims case because fuck this guy.

-Let the local authorities know what's going on with the situation. However, it's Oakland, CA & they have better things to do.

-Wait 6 months then attempt to cash the original check again, as apparently "stop payments" are lifted after that period."

-Wait a month or so, then file a small claims case once everything has cooled down a bit.

If there's an option I'm not thinking of or maybe a combination of the above options that would be the best way to go, I would love to hear suggestions. Also, I didn't name the guy in this thread because I don't want random people harassing him & linking it back to me. If someone thinks they could help & would like more info, PM me. Thanks for reading through this ridiculous situation!

 

[efiltsohg]

-Wait 6 months then attempt to cash the original check again, as apparently "stop payments" are lifted after that period."

-Wait a month or so, then file a small claims case once everything has cooled down a bit.

do not do one of these options

 

[KnightBrolaire]

yeah, you're fucked.

For future reference
1. always sell in a public place. I like walmart parking lots, since they're everywhere, and they have typically huge parking lots that are well lit.
2. only take cash. Or maybe paypal friends if it's a larger sum, but I tend not to do bigger transactions via craigslist.
3. bring a friend if you're selling anything expensive. It makes it harder to get ripped off. It also helps if said friend (or you) is packing some heat
4. If 3 isn't an option, then at least know how to improvise self defense weapons (like your car keys).
Sounds stupid but at least then you're prepared if something does go wrong..

 

[Lemonbaby]

Back in those days when I still used eBay, I had a deposit box at the parcel service, so my private address never gets disclosed in any transaction. I also only accepted shipping (no handover at all) after cash in advance...

 

[TedEH]

3. bring a friend if you're selling anything expensive. It makes it harder to get ripped off. It also helps if said friend (or you) is packing some heat
4. If 3 isn't an option, then at least know how to improvise self defense weapons (like your car keys).

Better option -> Move to Canada where none of this is necessary.

That's just insane.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

Better option -> Move to Canada where none of this is necessary.

That's just insane.

yeah because people don't commit strongarm robbery in canada.
It's not like I'm saying open carry a pistol during the deal, just to be prepared for an altercation. It's unlikely but it's not like it hurts to be prepared. People generally get robbed when they're in poorly lit areas with no witnesses, or if people see an opportunity. Better to not even give them an opportunity, hence my recommendations.

 

[TedEH]

I stand by what I said.
I have never heard of anyone bringing weapons along to this kind of transaction in any place I've been. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

On topic though:

yeah, you're fucked.

...I suspect this might be the case.

 

[spudmunkey]

I make them meet me in the parking lot in front of the local police station. Especially when I sold a large box full of knives and swords.

I also require cash for everything, and I have a counterfeit-checking pen. it cost me $1. One time someone convinced me to give venmo a try, and I downloaded it specifically to take his payment. It turns our he purposefully mis-spelled my email (he replaced an "l" with a "1") so i didn't get the money he assured me he sent. He said, "Sometimes it takes a few minutes to come through", and then he left. Thankfully I had his real name, LinkedIn'd him, and found out where he worked.

I sent him a request withing Venmo for payment, and said, "It appears the Venmo funds have not come through yet. Could you try sending it to me again? Otherwise I'd be happy to come by the (insert name of his employer) office Thursday to pick up the payment. No worries!"

I had the payment in Venmo in less than 2 minutes, with no "sorry" or any other kind of follow-up.

One person who bought some furniture from me, obviously I had to meet them at my home. She asked me to bring out a chair for her to see, before she'd even come in to my home. I didn't blame her one bit...she was very pretty, and clearly not very strong, and I kinda live in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood. Better safe than sorry.

 

[cwhitey2]

Let it go.

Don't do it again. Let this be a lesson and move on.

 

[Silence2-38554]

I make them meet me in the parking lot in front of the local police station. Especially when I sold a large box full of knives and swords.

I also require cash for everything, and I have a counterfeit-checking pen. it cost me $1. One time someone convinced me to give venmo a try, and I downloaded it specifically to take his payment. It turns our he purposefully mis-spelled my email (he replaced an "l" with a "1") so i didn't get the money he assured me he sent. He said, "Sometimes it takes a few minutes to come through", and then he left. Thankfully I had his real name, LinkedIn'd him, and found out where he worked.

I sent him a request withing Venmo for payment, and said, "It appears the Venmo funds have not come through yet. Could you try sending it to me again? Otherwise I'd be happy to come by the (insert name of his employer) office Thursday to pick up the payment. No worries!"

I had the payment in Venmo in less than 2 minutes, with no "sorry" or any other kind of follow-up.

One person who bought some furniture from me, obviously I had to meet them at my home. She asked me to bring out a chair for her to see, before she'd even come in to my home. I didn't blame her one bit...she was very pretty, and clearly not very strong, and I kinda live in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood. Better safe than sorry.

Thank you for the helpful reply. All of the "hindsight's 20/20" & "bring a gun next time" posts aren't helpful. Also, I refuse to ever own a gun.

Anyway, I do have the information for his business from Linkedin. I could always just send an invoice to the company. It's possible his billing department would pay it without him even realizing it.

 

[Silence2-38554]

Better option -> Move to Canada where none of this is necessary.

That's just insane.

Legitimately working on this, trust me lol

 

[efiltsohg]

I would at least file a police report, but don't hold out hope for getting your money

Anyway, I do have the information for his business from Linkedin. I could always just send an invoice to the company. It's possible his billing department would pay it without him even realizing it.

This is also a terrible idea

 

[Descent]

You don't have a gun/concealed license? I have no problem with flakes like that coming to my house as I lock and load if needed.

In your case - you couldn't cash the check?

I don't know if $300 is worth dealing with, but you can take him to small claims I guess. I'll just write it off, or you can report the monitor to police as theft.

 

[SpaceDock]

This is why I always do CL deals in a fast food location with cash only. What can you do now: move on and make a voodoo doll.

 

[Silence2-38554]

You don't have a gun/concealed license? I have no problem with flakes like that coming to my house as I lock and load if needed.

In your case - you couldn't cash the check?

I don't know if $300 is worth dealing with, but you can take him to small claims I guess. I'll just write it off, or you can report the monitor to police as theft.

I did cash the check. It was in my account for three days, then he put a "stop payment" on it and it was pulled from my account. Again, didn't even know that was a thing. I should have known the deal was shit the second he handed me a Bank of America check lol.

This is why I always do CL deals in a fast food location with cash only. What can you do now: move on and make a voodoo doll.

Excellent idea haha

 

[Ordacleaphobia]

This is also a terrible idea

Legally, anyway. Practically, this would probably work
I remember reading an article a couple years back about a guy that did this to ton of huge companies. Made like 200 grand before I think it was Facebook that figured it out.

But yeah, don't do that. Out of all of the options so far, this is the one that's most likely to get this dude to show up at your house

Given how small the sum is, how useless cops are with dealing with theft, and my firsthand knowledge of both how not worth it small claims is and what a shitshow Oakland can be...I hate to say it, but I'll probably throw my towel in with the 'let it go' crowd. Meet in the police station parking lot next time. Always cash only. Sorry fam- it sucks when people prove to you that having faith in strangers is the wrong decision.

 

[spudmunkey]

Note: if anyone ever says that they will send you a cashier's check or money order, and someone else will pick it up, especially if they say they will pay you extra to pay the pick-up person, or have you send the over-payment back, it's 100% a scam.

I let my scammer send me a check to my PO box, which I then turned over to the police and the bank. No idea if anything ever came of it...

 

[MaxOfMetal]

People who buy stuff under $10k with personal checks:

1) the elderly
2) scammers

If they're not using a walker and drive a like-new 2009 Cadillac, you're about to get fucked.

 

[diagrammatiks]

My man it’s 2019. You do not take a check. In fact if someone even has checks just stay away from them.

 

[spudmunkey]

Oh, and before you even send an address, you make sure you make clear the payment methods you'll accept, and the amount. It cuts down on the people who show up to a $60 sale, and say, "I'm here, and I'll take it, but I only have $40 on me". "Oh, that's OK. There's an ATM about 1 mile that way" is my favorite response. I'm rarely in a hurry to sell something, though, so that situation kind of sucks when you really do need the money.