Fake CL ads in free sction

Not sure what it’s like in other cities, but recently on the weekends it seems there is some not so clever person putting up fake ads in the “free” section. I am not sure if it’s just some bored kid or some frustrated scrapper that keeps showing up too late for pickups etc… If it’s the latter, that person could better use their resources (time and what little brainpower they do have) into figuring out how to collect more, quicker and collect the right scrap etc…

I can easily spot these fake ads – to me they are painfully obvious, but maybe some CL scrappers don’t see it for whatever reason – maybe reading too fast etc… and are sent on wild goose chases. I assume this isn’t a new thing?

Is your refrigerator running??? Har Har

Examples:
Bogus addresses that might seem legitimate (easy to check even if Google maps shows a location). Obvious pictures of someone's backyard full of scrap with knobs and burners pulled of stoves and scrap already prepped etc... "Free full propane tank" .Too much scrap to be at one business or residence in a n attempt to attract scrappers. These posts almost always get flagged. Next time I see one i'll take a screenshot and post it here.

I took a screenshot but can't post it. I don't have any photo hosting setup at the moment.


FREE 10lbs of Copper Piping & Wire.
FREE UNUSED Washer & Dryer
Only condition is you must P/U!
ASAP FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

been there for 6 days now...

Originally Posted by SKWrapper

I took a screenshot but can't post it. I don't have any photo hosting setup at the moment.


FREE 10lbs of Copper Piping & Wire.
FREE UNUSED Washer & Dryer
Only condition is you must P/U!
ASAP FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

been there for 6 days now...

You should contact them and see what they say. Heck, post the link here and all of us can contact them.

Here it is:https://denver.craigslist.org/app/d/...645814036.html

Now watch it be real LOL

Originally Posted by Dystopia

I don't really bother with the free section on CL, just way too many people "refreshing" trying to pick up scrap around here, so most things go instantly. The people that contact me from my AD are just happy someone will pick the crap up, and I don't waste my time driving somewhere when the scrap is long gone, unfortunately many that contact me are just too far and not worth the drive / gas costs, but have netted some really good stuff / scrap. I've taken a number of drives in the past when I seen free stuff posted, but 99% of the time there is nothing there / long gone, so not worth wasting the time.

I agree with you. I hardly ever go for anything on CL that is sitting on a curb with a free sign unless I happen to pass by it or am literally less than 5-10 minutes away from it etc... I did that when I first started this and it was frustrating cause 1/2 the time I would get there to watch someone else load their vehicle with it, and I wasted a good amount of fuel.

I do things differently now, however most of my collected scrap is still from CL and other online sources and it's much less stressful than when I first started this - no wasted fuel - no more racing to the scene to be the first to get there etc...

Yeah that AD looks a tad questionable, not one I would entertain.

Yeah, only time I bother with the free section is if it is not curb side, no address posted, and I am able to contact them for pickup, have done this a few times, but it has been a while. Seems so many people looking for scrap in the free section they probably messaged them before I even see the AD. Last time was a washer dryer set actually, which they had up by the garage, got lucky as I guess other people flaked out, so I went over and loaded it up.

I rarely look at the free section anymore, but can certainly get some stuff and doesn't hurt to look / contact some people. As you're thread here points out, just be cautious for scams / pranks; some people probably don't even think of that happening, but it can!