So today had a random message about a listing in gumtree
“hi what’s your address”
my reply you don’t need my address , we haven’t even talked about the item for sale
” what’s your email address”
all rung Alarm bells so I immediately reported it to gumtree
their response is below
Hello Mike,
Thank you for your email and reporting this to us.
I've had a close look at the person's account, and you were right to forward this on to us. There are clear signs of suspicious behavior. I suggest you don't contact this person from this point forward.
I've escalated all info I'm happy to confirm that appropriate action has been taken on this user's account.
Thank you once again for forwarding the info - we work hard on trying to prevent this kind of activity on the site. The more examples we have, the more we can work on prevention, so this has really helped us.
Have a quick read through our safety tips if you haven't done so already. It always helps to see more info and examples of what to look out for when buying and selling online:
https://help.gumtree.com/s/safetyDon't hesitate to get back to us if you have any more questions or if you have more information you'd like to share with us.
Regards,
Eva
Gumtree Customer Service Team
www.gumtree.com
Comments
I have reported a couple of people just as you did and Gumtree were on it right away.
Gumtree is a quagmire of them
I see Gumtree like this ;
Somebody puts you in a room blindfold and you realise it's full of nothing but Horseshit
The pessimist says "there's nothing in here but shit "
The optimist says.........."there must be a horse in here somewhere "
You need to filter/disregard the crap because there are good and genuine buyers in there
However, I've sold and traded a number of guitars on gumtree and I've been happy every time. Like others said, you put an ad up and it brings the freaks out the woodwork but some of them are great people looking to get a good deal like you.
The second joker offered £5500 (close enough to start a haggle), but wanted to turn up tonight with cash, no bank transfer. Spidey senses tingling...
A listing of mine for a £300 65" TV resulted in multiple stupid, unreasonable lowball offers, most of which wanted me to deliver it despite the ad very clearly stating collection only. One person even sent me a message saying "Plz im begging u . I dont have more" - so adjust your expectations then you entitled prick.
I didn’t bother replying. That used to be my overriding view of Gumtree ‘buyers’ until recently.
Then I listed a Godin which hadn’t had any interest on here and sold it within half an hour of the listing. In the last few weeks, I sold a Gibson Lucille and an ES330 to a private buyer, and a Fender Blues Junior to a lovely chap who ended up paying more than my asking price as I was apparently very helpful!
It’s hit and miss, of course, but I sold three out of the four for more than I advertised on the forum, and the other one wasn’t advertised on here.
I guess, with Gumtree and similar, you have to be prepared to to put your hand down the bog a few times before you find a Mars Bar.
I've had far more luck selling gear on Gumtree than I have on here, where low-ball offers seem to be the norm. I don't get wound up by it, or see it as an insult, though. It's just people trying it on in the hope they might get lucky.
Seriously though, the best lowball offer anyone ever made me was on here. It was for for my Trussart Deluxe Steelcaster. He offered me £300.
12.5% of the asking price. An 87.5% reduction.
Unfortunately, lots of people have no info at all.
But if it was counterfeit and he gives a duff name and address for the V5C and drives off, I'd be done for. The question he asked was 'how many keys', which is a good question, but it was the only question he asked. Seemed odd. Then he just wanted to come straight away with cash. As I said it's just "spidey senses".
Have heard nothing since.
They were fine of course, but I sweated a little when paying them into the Post Office.