Why would someone?

[konying]

Cut long story short, looking to buy a used car.

Saw one i liked and wanted to see, send an email to the seller, after few emails back and forwards asked for his/her phone number to arrange time and date and get location.

In response,seller provides his/her phone number BUT asks to communicate ONLY via sms or line.

Now i am seriously confused

1. Is it some kind of scam?

2. Assuming seller can not speak English well, but emails are in perfect English

I am out of clues, any one has experienced anything like that? or anyone has some wild theory's why would someone selling a car would ONLY want to communicate via sms?

[hansgruber]

Maybe they don't speak English but can translate your English via a messaging app and vice versa.

No scam.

[konying]

Maybe they don't speak English but can translate your English via a messaging app and vice versa.

No scam.

That did cross my mind, but as i said, english in emails was perfect, and google translate hardly ever does perfect translation of a full conversation

[crazygreg44]

I do this every time when dealing with somebody I know or doing business with, as I am very hard of hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone. Maybe the person is just handicapped so it leaves him/her no other option

[ignis]

Maybe the seller is working, much easier to reply via 'line' likewise if he/she has the phone plug-in to a computer, then picking up and talking on the phone.

Most of my Thai friends have 'line' open all the time there at there PC before having it on there phone [they can look at a message while doing an interview or with someone face to face]

bit like asking people to only phone between such and such a time in the evening.. Not while there at work

Edit: same here with hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone [so much so do not even have a home phone anymore for past couple of years]

[konying]

Maybe the seller is working, much easier to reply via 'line' likewise if he/she has the phone plug-in to a computer, then picking up and talking on the phone.

Most of my Thai friends have 'line' open all the time there at there PC before having it on there phone [they can look at a message while doing an interview or with someone face to face]

bit like asking people to only phone between such and such a time in the evening.. Not while there at work

Edit: same here with hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone [so much so do not even have a home phone anymore for past couple of years]

All valid points, i should mention when i asked when was a good time to look at the car, the reply was anytime.

So i would rule out the work thing, but the hearing might still be a valid reason.

Its just never ever in my life i came across such "request" when buying/selling.

[VBF]

Maybe the seller is working, much easier to reply via 'line' likewise if he/she has the phone plug-in to a computer, then picking up and talking on the phone.

Most of my Thai friends have 'line' open all the time there at there PC before having it on there phone [they can look at a message while doing an interview or with someone face to face]

bit like asking people to only phone between such and such a time in the evening.. Not while there at work

Edit: same here with hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone [so much so do not even have a home phone anymore for past couple of years]

All valid points, i should mention when i asked when was a good time to look at the car, the reply was anytime.

So i would rule out the work thing, but the hearing might still be a valid reason.

Its just never ever in my life i came across such "request" when buying/selling.

All the above points helpful, but I would be as suspicious as you Konying. Natural cynicism is one of Nature's defences - tread carefully and trust your instincts would be my advice!

Also make sure the location is the seller's home or place of work, not somewhere like a bar or public car park!

[ktm jeff]

I think it maybe because a "land-line" gives a more solid base for knowing the person (you) exists , and their locatoin. Your wise to be carefull but it maybe the seller feels this safegaurds him/her. As always , take a mechanic for advice / security.

[NanLaew]

Some of the better educated Thai's are pretty good at reading and writing English but poor at understanding when it is spoken to them (with an accent) and a whole lot worse at speaking it.

Either way, there's a certain security in having a message or a text that works for both parties, be it making sure the meeting place is agreeably safe to even discussing the price, what is included and what isn't.

Maybe the seller has had to deal with a shonky farang before. As Tom Jones sang, "It's not unusual..."

[konying]

Some of the better educated Thai's are pretty good at reading and writing English but poor at understanding when it is spoken to them (with an accent) and a whole lot worse at speaking it.

Either way, there's a certain security in having a message or a text that works for both parties, be it making sure the meeting place is agreeably safe to even discussing the price, what is included and what isn't.

Maybe the seller has had to deal with a shonky farang before. As Tom Jones sang, "It's not unusual..."

Seller is a foreigner

Personally if i was uneasy about a buyer i would want to hear his/her voice and have a conversation to see if i want to disclose my location

[WarpSpeed]

Maybe the seller is working, much easier to reply via 'line' likewise if he/she has the phone plug-in to a computer, then picking up and talking on the phone.

Most of my Thai friends have 'line' open all the time there at there PC before having it on there phone [they can look at a message while doing an interview or with someone face to face]

bit like asking people to only phone between such and such a time in the evening.. Not while there at work

Edit: same here with hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone [so much so do not even have a home phone anymore for past couple of years]

All valid points, i should mention when i asked when was a good time to look at the car, the reply was anytime.

So i would rule out the work thing, but the hearing might still be a valid reason.

Its just never ever in my life i came across such "request" when buying/selling.

Many times accent is massive problem too.. Less chance for lost in translation or misunderstanding due to accent.

Ok I'll post this anyway, but it seems Nan already touched on it so, I'll second his post..

[WarpSpeed]

Some of the better educated Thai's are pretty good at reading and writing English but poor at understanding when it is spoken to them (with an accent) and a whole lot worse at speaking it.

Either way, there's a certain security in having a message or a text that works for both parties, be it making sure the meeting place is agreeably safe to even discussing the price, what is included and what isn't.

Maybe the seller has had to deal with a shonky farang before. As Tom Jones sang, "It's not unusual..."

Seller is a foreigner

Personally if i was uneasy about a buyer i would want to hear his/her voice and have a conversation to see if i want to disclose my location

Yes buuut..................................................................

[OZEMADE]

Maybe the seller is working, much easier to reply via 'line' likewise if he/she has the phone plug-in to a computer, then picking up and talking on the phone.

Most of my Thai friends have 'line' open all the time there at there PC before having it on there phone [they can look at a message while doing an interview or with someone face to face]

bit like asking people to only phone between such and such a time in the evening.. Not while there at work

Edit: same here with hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone [so much so do not even have a home phone anymore for past couple of years]

Most Asians are using the App "LINE" it is free and they can talk face to face all day. I know as my wife uses it and all her family and friends.

[IMHO]

My guess: 99.99% a scam.

The seller fraudster is likely using an SMS gateway service from somewhere in Nigeria and the reason they don't want you to call is you can't. Try Googling the cellphone number they provided...

[culicine]

Ask them to send a photo of the blue book and send it to you....on Line. If they can't forget it.

[konying]

My guess: 99.99% a scam.

The seller fraudster is likely using an SMS gateway service from somewhere in Nigeria and the reason they don't want you to call is you can't. Try Googling the cellphone number they provided...

Thank you, i think you nailed it but little different.

First let me say, car is advertised as private sale.

When asked the seller the reason for sale, the response was because he/she likes to change cars every year.

Just googled the phone number as you suggested and surprise surprise seller has about 10 ads running on different websites for different cars and bikes.

So seller is a dealer not a private sale and strangely enough none of the cars are listed on the same site, but spread around across different sites, same for bikes.

So 1 site has 1 car and 1 bike, another site has different car and different bike.

[IMHO]

My guess: 99.99% a scam.

The seller fraudster is likely using an SMS gateway service from somewhere in Nigeria and the reason they don't want you to call is you can't. Try Googling the cellphone number they provided...

Thank you, i think you nailed it but little different.

First let me say, car is advertised as private sale.

When asked the seller the reason for sale, the response was because he/she likes to change cars every year.

Just googled the phone number as you suggested and surprise surprise seller has about 10 ads running on different websites for different cars and bikes.

So seller is a dealer not a private sale and strangely enough none of the cars are listed on the same site, but spread around across different sites, same for bikes.

So 1 site has 1 car and 1 bike, another site has different car and different bike.

They're not a dealer - they're a scammer!

The reason they have these ads across different sites is to try and avoid each sites anti-fraud mechanisms.

The reason they don't want to talk to you is because they either can't (SMS Gateway), or then you'd hear different people's voices when the scammers shift changes, and the progress of the con is unknown.

Email and SMS buy them time to make sure the correct scammer, familiar with your con, is the one who replies to you.

[NanLaew]

My guess: 99.99% a scam.

The seller fraudster is likely using an SMS gateway service from somewhere in Nigeria and the reason they don't want you to call is you can't. Try Googling the cellphone number they provided...

Thank you, i think you nailed it but little different.

First let me say, car is advertised as private sale.

When asked the seller the reason for sale, the response was because he/she likes to change cars every year.

Just googled the phone number as you suggested and surprise surprise seller has about 10 ads running on different websites for different cars and bikes.

So seller is a dealer not a private sale and strangely enough none of the cars are listed on the same site, but spread around across different sites, same for bikes.

So 1 site has 1 car and 1 bike, another site has different car and different bike.

They're not a dealer - they're a scammer!

The reason they have these ads across different sites is to try and avoid each sites anti-fraud mechanisms.

The reason they don't want to talk to you is because they either can't (SMS Gateway), or then you'd hear different people's voices when the scammers shift changes, and the progress of the con is unknown.

Email and SMS buy them time to make sure the correct scammer, familiar with your con, is the one who replies to you.

Bam!!! Pow!!! And ANOTHER digital pikey gets his comeuppance!!!

[kkerry]

See what happens if you send them an SMS at 6am Thai time. If they are really somewhere like West Africa or Dubai then it will be the middle of the night and unlikely to reply but if in Thailand they are more likely to reply quicker.

What type of car is it... not a Lexus by any chance?

[WarpSpeed]

My guess: 99.99% a scam.

The seller fraudster is likely using an SMS gateway service from somewhere in Nigeria and the reason they don't want you to call is you can't. Try Googling the cellphone number they provided...

That is a common scam, especially with craigslist here so no doubt they could be trying it elsewhere. but I didn't get where he was asking to send money without meeting, seeing the car and driving it to close the deal.

[stevenl]

My guess: 99.99% a scam.

The seller fraudster is likely using an SMS gateway service from somewhere in Nigeria and the reason they don't want you to call is you can't. Try Googling the cellphone number they provided...

That is a common scam, especially with craigslist here so no doubt they could be trying it elsewhere. but I didn't get where he was asking to send money without meeting, seeing the car and driving it to close the deal.

It would be nice if the OP would continue with the deal until the point where they ask for money up front, so we can all see what is happening here.

[WarpSpeed]

Yep, wonder just how they plan to get around those rather prohibitive details.

[IMHO]

Yep, wonder just how they plan to get around those rather prohibitive details.

It sounds like the OP is not yet convinced, so maybe we'll actually find out the play they have in mind

[IMHO]

See what happens if you send them an SMS at 6am Thai time. If they are really somewhere like West Africa or Dubai then it will be the middle of the night and unlikely to reply but if in Thailand they are more likely to reply quicker.

What type of car is it... not a Lexus by any chance?

That's not definitive though. These types of scams are very clearly not one-man-operations. If the operator conducting the OP's con isn't available, all that will happen is he'll get a delayed response, maybe along with an apology (if they're smart) or excuse (if they're not).

[BKKdreaming]

I hate SMS , I have an old phone and need glasses to see it clearly so often do not answer right away or maybe never ,

I also just delete emails of people that sound like they are going to be a pain to deal with , no idea if these guys are real as we never get that far,

but many you can see are stock emails asking if your "item" is still for sale and what is your best price....

you can smell a scam coming......

[Briggsy]

It's obvious. No money on the phone. How long have you been in Thailand!

[arunsakda]

Maybe the seller is working, much easier to reply via 'line' likewise if he/she has the phone plug-in to a computer, then picking up and talking on the phone.

Most of my Thai friends have 'line' open all the time there at there PC before having it on there phone [they can look at a message while doing an interview or with someone face to face]

bit like asking people to only phone between such and such a time in the evening.. Not while there at work

Edit: same here with hearing and have difficulties understanding on the telephone [so much so do not even have a home phone anymore for past couple of years]

All valid points, i should mention when i asked when was a good time to look at the car, the reply was anytime.

So i would rule out the work thing, but the hearing might still be a valid reason.

Its just never ever in my life i came across such "request" when buying/selling.

I have sold several cars privately in two jurisdictions of the USA where it is a very straightforward process. I also only accept initial contact via email (craigslist blind reply) or SMS. The reason is to screen out the "flakes" and scammers and lo-ballers. Then we can have a phone chat where I determine if they are serious before wasting time meeting.

[konying]

See what happens if you send them an SMS at 6am Thai time. If they are really somewhere like West Africa or Dubai then it will be the middle of the night and unlikely to reply but if in Thailand they are more likely to reply quicker.

What type of car is it... not a Lexus by any chance?

No, its just a year old pick up

[konying]

Yep, wonder just how they plan to get around those rather prohibitive details.

It sounds like the OP is not yet convinced, so maybe we'll actually find out the play they have in mind

I will send sms to see where it leads and will update as i go

[konying]

It's obvious. No money on the phone. How long have you been in Thailand!

And there is money in sms?