Categories
Customer Engagement & Retention

Beware of Craiglist Emails Like This

craigslistorgCan people really make money on Craigslist.org?

I’ve heard of so many scams online.  Isn’t Craigslist just another?

What are things new users on Craigslist need to be aware of?

Good questions!  Craigslist is a “practically” FREE classified ad website where I can list and sell products, services, resumes, etc.  Personally I think Craigslist is AMAZING for people looking to start an online business: it gives them a taste of how easily they can connect with buyers and move products they deemed as junk.

Recently I listed a car to sell on Craigslist.org.  I’ve received quite a few calls, multiple legitimate emails, and finally this email, which I thought you all should be aware of:

Have you received emails like this when listing on Craigslist?

From: jimmy ralph <jimmyreal001@gmail.com>

Hello,
Good Morning I saw the advert of your item on the website and i decided to make enquiries about the item , the present condition is ok by me , and i will like to know if it needs any adjustment,.i will like you to get back to me with your full details where the check will be mailed out to such as follow.

Full name that will be on the check.
Your full address okay not p.o.box.
And your state and city and zipcode
Telephone number.

i will like you to get back to me with all this information so that you can get the check this week without any delay and i will like you to know that the payment will also comprise of the shipping fund and when the check clears in your bank then my shipping company will come for the pick up  okay.

Thanks .

Now the red-flags:

  • Order by check: can you say “BOUNCE” or “Counterfeit”? As Craigslist recommends in it’s terms –

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service – anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.(source)

  • Never mentions the actual product: “…I saw the advert of your item on the website…i decided to make enquiries about the item…” – What did this client really want to purchase from me, that’s the question.  If, in the email, they don’t ask questions, talk about specifics, etc., it’s probably an automated or form letter.
  • Shipping: Craigslist warns of this multiple times too –

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON – follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL “GUARANTEE” YOUR TRANSACTION.

Here’s an example of a legit Craigslist email:

We are interested in looking at your car, if it is still available. Please email us and give us more details, or a phone number and we’ll give you a call. Our number is 801-xxx-xxxx.
Thank you!
(their first and last names)

Craigslist is a great way to make quick money online.  It’s local, no shipping fees, no listing fees, free for practically everything.

How have you seen success with Craigslist?

Categories
Website How To's

Starting an Online Business vs Working for Someone Else

I’ve got to quit my job and focus on my business full time…

I’ll be so much happier when I can just work from home and not have a JOB…

gary-vaynerchuk-moller-marketingAre you saying these things?

Is working for someone else a means to an end?

Would you rather be “Free” to do what you want when you want?

First off, welcome to reality!  Running a business, both on or off-line, is HARD WORK!  The best most profitable businesses took time, dedication, and WORK, WORK, WORK before they ever made money.

Granted, some ideas can get your there quicker than others, but the bottom line is, you have to pay your dues to succeed in anything.

I met Gary Vaynerchuk at Blog World Expo 2008 and he’s confirmed what I believed all along:

Success comes to those who are ready for it.

I’ve worked with hundreds of clients for the last 3 years.  Many of them want to walk away from their jobs and run a successful online business.  Some of them have.  Others have simply given up or quit when they realized that running their own business was actually, at times, more difficult than working for someone else.

The truth is, you can do both: run a small business and work for someone else.  In fact, especially at first, I think it’s important you don’t completely drop your day job.  The more pressure you put on yourself to provide for your family with just your “Dream Job”, the less likely you’re mind will be clear and the less likely you’ll achieve your overall objectives.

Here’s what Gary has to say about working for someone else and running their own business:

Comments welcome. How does this idea effect your mindset for starting an online business?

Categories
Digital Presence & Marketing Strategy

Dwight Schrute Look-a-Like Contest

dwight-schrute-look-a-like

Contestant #1

UPDATE:

I received this nomination too from @dugfar:

dwight-prospect-2

Contestant #2

kirk-jensen

Contestant #3 (same as 1 but with different hair)

Well, what do you think?  Who looks the MOST like Dwight (submit comment below)?

This is a picture of one of my fellow employees. I just watched the 1st season of The Office and when I saw this part in The Alliance episode, I couldn’t stop laughing.

I have to admit, I’ve only RECENTLY started watching The Office.  I definitely recommend it as a way to ease stress and get a new perspective on your “Office” as you work on starting an online business.

Here’s one of my favorite highlight videos from The Office:



Who is your favorite person on The Office?