Scam!!! on craigslist. :( Welcome to the real world.

Oh dear. I've just met the real world, and it's not so trustworthy.

Background: I've been wanting to buy a used Playstation 3 on craigslist since about a year ago. Actually, right about this time last year I purchased one from a poster on craigslist, and it was quite a good deal. I had to sell it for the sake of money needs, but now that I've got steady work again, I decided it was time to look for a replacement to my long-lost video game pal.

I found a used old-style (80 GB, for you technically interested) PS3 for $170. I thought that this seemed reasonable, a little bit lower price than others online, but not low enough to be scam worthy. I called the guy ("Terrence," he said his name was. Hi Terrence!) and he said it was still available. So I drove the 45 minutes out to meet him.

Upon arriving, he greeted me and showed me inside, and turned on the PS3. It started up great, ran a game well, everything I would expect. I told him I would buy it. Now, pay attention, here's the scam...

He took it off the desk, unplugged it, and took it out to the garage. Told his friend to "put it in a bag." Meanwhile, I'm digging out my money. He brings it back in, tells me to grab the controller, and I hand him the money, and I leave.

Yay! I've got a PS3! Unfortunately, he swapped systems on me. When I got home, I had a couple reasons to believe this. 1) When I started it up, the user names that had been on the PS3 I had seen were no longer there, which indicates it was a different system. 2) It no longer would read any discs, not Blu-Ray, DVD, or game discs. 3) I don't really have a #3, it just feels good to have a three-point list.

SO, beware, my little ones! The world isn't as nice as the first craigslist interaction as I had. Keep an eye on what you're buying! Make sure there's no swippy-swaps! Be safe! Don't do drugs! Keep your eye on the ball! Do your homework! Paint the fence! Wax on, wax off!