Fishy craiglist mandolins

[Brad Nicholas]

I thought I would start a rolling thread for discussing questionable craigslist mandolin posts.

Here's mine for today:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/msg/794209432.html

edit: flagged and now it's been removed

The picture is a Collings (obviously lifed off of Mandolin Bros) with a price of $500. #I figure it's a straight scam since there is essentially no way to get that picture without knowing that the mandolin is worth a few grand. #Here's the text of my email correspondance for your entertainment:

ME: I'm very interested in the mandolin. #I can't read the name on the headstock from the picture. #What's the brand, model, and serial number? #You should be able to see all of these on the label through one of the f-holes. Thanks

HE: Hey.that picture isnt my mandolin..i just got that one from the internet...mine isnt even the same model.....i just wanted people to know what a mandolin looks like in general...My mandolin is a Johnson Oval hole MA 100 B...please email back..thanks

ME: Why are you attempting to sell a $70 mandolin for $500 using a picture of a $2200 mandolin?

HE: i bought this mandolin for $640 dollars

ME: I'm sorry to hear that. # <here I provided links to the Google products pages for the Johnson MA-100 (f-hole) and Johnson MA-110 (oval hole) each retailing for ~$70)>

HE: why

ME: I could be missing something, but all of the Johnson MA-1XX mandolins that I have seen (see the links) sell for well under $100.

HE: not true. this is a genuine black mandolin in a condition thats worth more than 500 bucks

At that point I told him to take care and dropped it. #I flagged the ad as prohibited given that it used a misleading picture of another product, but I think it takes a few flags to do anything. #I see warning posts occasionally on craigslist where someone calls out a previous post on an inflated price or misrepresentation. #Should I follow up with one?

[John Flynn]

I like the warning Craig's List puts at the top of the page:

"Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally!"

So much for that concept!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Must be another example of one of those superb "black mandolins".

[allenhopkins]

I like the warning Craig's List puts at the top of the page:

"Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally!"

So much for that concept!

They could change it to

"If you're going to get scammed, make sure it's by one of your neighbors."

[MikeEdgerton]

Must be another example of one of those superb "black mandolins".

What have I started?

[bradeinhorn]

Must be another example of one of those superb "black mandolins".

when i was young, we could only afford a blue car...

[Christian McKee]

Well, now it's been flagged twice, at least.

Christian

[Brad Nicholas]

I'm curious. Are other folks cruising Craigslist trying to keep folks honest?

I've seen quite a few ebay threads about forgeries or incorrectly identified instruments (mostly Gibsons). In those cases the person is committing a fraud by misrepresenting an instrument. Ignoring the misleading photo from the above ad, if the person correctly identifies the instrument and is just looking to sucker someone with a high price do we still feel the obligation to flag the ad or post warnings?

[man dough nollij]

.....i just wanted people to know what a mandolin looks like in general...

That's actually very helpful. I frequently browse the internet, looking to buy things that I've never even seen, with no clue as to their actual value.

[Jim MacDaniel]

He could have posted a picture of this mandoline instead, which would have been just as informative.

[Bill Snyder]

The listing says
"This posting has been flagged for removal
(The title on the listings page will be removed in just a few minutes.)
"

[Brad Nicholas]

I only flagged it once and I see one from taboot so I assume a few other folks from here followed suit. I'm not sure how many flags it takes to remove a post.

[Celt of the wood]

I've been searching craigslist's in my area and here's the biggest problem I'm finding; the price people are asking for USED mando's are the same price I can buy them for NEW.

[Tom Morse]

Re: He could have posted a picture of this mandoline instead...

That's a great looking mandoline! Who makes that?

Warning, if you don't use the safety device, the thing that keeps the sliceee moving back and forth, you will slice the tips of your fingers off. I did. The day before a gig, too.

[Brad Nicholas]

Yeah, I don't think some folks understand that instruments can depreciate like anything else. #Once it loses its official "new status" it takes an immediate hit (the exceptions being excellent models in short supply).

edit: not necessarily excellent either, just in-demand.

[Brad Nicholas]

Not fishy, but still fun:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/797253116.html

PATENTED DESIGN

I'll attach the photo for posterity:

[Brad Nicholas]

This might be the patent:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7301085.html

or this:

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/71...scription.html

[Brad Nicholas]

Oh well. #I was thinking it was a one-off or something fun like that. #This is just the guy's style. #He seems to have some ambitions. #His site is here:

http://www.wymaninstruments.com