Good information. Thanks for the post.

Yep, it's a very common scam when trying to sell anything--not just limited to pinball.

As the saying goes when you're selling a pin: cash on the glass.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-not-get-ripped-off-in-pinball-vids-guide

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/attention-don-t-get-scammed/

I was selling a small block dodge motor and I received 5 fake cashier checks over nighted to me by FedEx. I knew it was a scam but played along. They threatened me by saying they will call the fbi and I said I think they are too busy tracking terrorist and not worried about me keeping your fake cashier checks.

I had one of these scams one time and I told them my address what the White House. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave .
They must have sent the check because he followed up like a week later. I didn’t reply after that. No idea is the pres cashed the check

Here in Chicago we like to use 1060 W Addison St.

Have the sent directly to FBI HQ.

Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20535-0001

-Rob
-visit https://www.kahr.ust go get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or my Pinball 2000 H+V Video Sync Combiner kit

Thats an old Scam...it happen to me in texas about 10 years ago...I remember giving them the address to the local police station..lol

That’s Wrigley Field!

Thanks to Jake and Elwood for the idea

This happened to my Grandma that is an artist and someone wanted to do this for a painting. Luckily she asked around and we all told her it was a scam. She's very old, so good for her to ask. What I don't get is, how does this scam work? Why would anyone ship anything of great value without full clearance of payment?

Somewhere out there is an honest Joe Shmoe who just wants to buy a pinball machine with his cashier checks but just can’t get anyone to answer his email.

heh, I bought 2 machines with a cashier's check, sight unseen.

By law a bank clears it in X number of days. ( I forget the exact number, it isn't many ). Two weeks later when it comes up bad, they go after you, the person who deposited fraudulent funds. At the very least you are on the hook for the money.

LTG : )

It’s too bad there are low life idiots out there screwing people for money. Get a fuckin life!

Unfortunately that is their life. Scumbags

Was it a personal or certified check or a cashiers check? Looking in Wikipedia:

„A cashier's check (or cashier's cheque) is a check guaranteed by a bank, drawn on the bank's own funds and signed by a cashier.[1] Cashier's checks are treated as guaranteed funds because the bank, rather than the purchaser, is responsible for paying the amount. They are commonly required for real estate and brokerage transactions.

Genuine cashier's checks deposited into a bank account are usually cleared the next day. The customer can request "next-day availability" when depositing a cashier's check in person. Forged cashier's checks may bounce 2 weeks after being deposited.“

It sounds like the forged cashiers checks are the issue - are they so convincing looking that the only way to be sure is to wait until the funds actually clear ? - would seem to kind of defeat the purpose.

I posted on my KOD classified related forum thread about a scam attempt yesterday related to my listing on Craigslist.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-king-of-diamonds-18

Right after that, I got an email from a guy saying:

Hello,

I have a king of diamonds that I want to restore, but I am intrigued by your machine. I started my collection less than 10 years ago with lots of Gottlieb wedgeheads, some add a ball machines, some system 1s and several other various machines ranging from the 1950s through to the 1990s. One of the pinball people I met over the years talked about somebody in Rolling Hills Estates with a large collection and it might be you. Looking at a few of your pictures, I think you might be the person that was mentioned. Anyway, I am interested in coming to check out your machine. What does your upcoming week look like?

Thanks,

____________________________________________

After a reply, I got this:

I used to have “newer” machines like Funhouse and Taxi and Addams Family and Earthshaker, Etc... but went through a divorce and they were liquidated. Was out of pinball for several years and then found a Gottlieb Wedgehead (Top Card) at a thrift store and just was mesmerized by the art, history and mechanics.

I also once had a 300 and a Central Park- and an Aquarius.... would love to have a Buckaroo someday.

And I am sure that I would not be able to restore a king of diamonds to the state that yours is in which is why I am intrigued. So I would love to come and look at it, with an intention to possibly buy it. I have flexibility in my schedule. I’m going to LA tomorrow to pick up a playfield so that might work.

Can I call you tomorrow? Since it’s still Mother’s Day, I’m on the hook for a movie with the family as soon as I’m done with this email....

Thanks,

__________________________________________________________

We exchanged phone numbers, talked on the phone, and the plan was for him to come over today at 4:30PM, where it was for him to buy the machine assuming it was as advertised. That is what worked best for him. I re-arranged my schedule to leave work early after confirming at 1:30PM he was planning to come, and placed the listing here as "sale pending"

Then, as I was on my way home, which was very inconvenient for me, but what worked best for him, I get this text:

_________________________________________________________________________

I don’t want to waste your time or mine. What I really want to do is the restoration work rather than buying something that has already been restored, even if it takes me longer than I’d like. I appreciate talking with you and maybe down the road if I change my mind and you still have it, I will reach out.

Sigh!!!!!!!!