Craigslist ad: Good? Meh? Or?

ScubaSkeets · May 30, 2021

Hi folks!
Saw this Craigslist ad and wanted to know your thoughts on it. Im fairly local to him, and of course, money would not change hands until I saw and checked everything out. It's about half price of what is listed online. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/for/d/washington-brand-new-red-sea-reefer/7325375276.html

CMMorgan · May 30, 2021

It's a mix of stock and legit photos. I'd ask th eobvious ... why is he selling. It could very well be legit. Not exactly an item that you find stolen on the back of a trick. LOL
I would sure inspect the heck out of it though.... it's not like you have anyone to complain to if it leaks or has a bad seam.
Good luck! Let us know how it works out.

IKD · May 30, 2021

I’d look carefully for scratches if he never set it up. Look for water residue to see if it was attempted to be filled previously (could have leaked on him)

ScubaSkeets · May 30, 2021

I asked him why he's selling, and he said he cannot carry it into his apartment. Not sure how legit that reason is, but whatever.
So, if it turns out to be true, should I go for it?

CMMorgan · May 30, 2021

ScubaSkeets said:
I asked him why he's selling, and he said he cannot carry it into his apartment. Not sure how legit that reason is, but whatever.
So, if it turns out to be true, should I go for it?

That's odd.... I mean you can hire moving people. Maybe he just realized that he bit off more than he could chew.

IKD · May 30, 2021

It’s worth checking out and visually inspecting it.

tehmadreefer · May 30, 2021

Most apartments don’t allow tanks over 25g these days, especially if it is a modern one.

Rmckoy · May 30, 2021

It’s worth looking into .
You can always walk away .
but that being said there is no way to return or dispute any fraudulent transactions after money changes hands .

Cook · May 30, 2021

If it seems to good to be true, it usually is, especially on Craigslist. Assume something is wrong with it and inspect accordingly. It's not uncommon for the tank glass to get chipped on the corners when trying to move these if someone is not really careful.

metzer · May 30, 2021

does the redsea warranty transfer when change of hands between owners? But if you do not care about the warranty, than this is a moot point.

rockdiver · May 30, 2021

Maybe ask for his receipt from buying it ? It actually could be stolen it all looks prepackaged from red Sea.
If he does not want to show the receipt then that would be a red flag that it might be hot or not even real.
Then it's up to you.
Will you meet at his apartment ?
where is he keeping it now since it's not in his apartment?
Is that location popular and busy or not many people?
Ask if he's been on R2R usually someone buying that size would probably be on here or at least heard of R2R.
Also bring someone with you. Pictures are stock and not stock but you can get them unstock pics off of here.
Be careful you will have that money on you so whos to say they are not there to just steal your money and there is no tank to begin with ?
Follow what your insides are telling you, usually it's right.
But be careful !!
Not to be doom and gloom but really never know.
2500.00 is alot and people have been hurt for alot less

Lost in the Sauce · May 30, 2021

The post has been removed already

rockdiver · May 30, 2021

Probably better off

ScubaSkeets · Jun 1, 2021

Update:
TL;DR it wasnt a scam!!

It really did seem too good to be true. He was kinda vague in his email and texts. Even called him a scammer. He did not reply. His phone number was a NJ area code and I asked why and he did not reply (no big deal...I have a Hawaii area code even though I live in Virginia)
Everything called for it to be a scam
Then after some text exchanges exchanges. We make arrangements for me to come look at it. He gives me address and we agree on 10am today. I get there.
Ring his doorbell. No answer.
Text him. No reply
Call him. No answer.
Getting ready to leave.
Then he texts, "I'll be there in 10 minutes"
(What have I gotten myself into)
About 12 minutes later, he texts me and tells me to meet him at a storage unit right down the road.
I go there and wait for a few minutes. He's not there.
A few minutes later a car pulls into the loading dock. We exchange waves. He doesn't say anything and goes into the storage place. I wait for a few minutes.
And then he wheels out with a brand new never unwrapped Red Sea 525xl! We load it up on my truck. He then takes 2 or 3 more trips to get the lights, sump, cabinet , etc. everything brand new. Only thing that was opened was the box for the sump!
So, it turned out to not be a scam! And I even talked him down to $2350.
So, I'll be doing a build thread on this thing!