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Post by captbob on Jan 13, 2015 11:25:11 GMT -5
All these postings were probably removed by craigslist after I reported them. - fixed it for ya.
Although, he MAY have done it after he received my email to him. Which wasn't exactly a "let's go have a beer and chat about rocks" kinda message.
I'm actually more upset that the sale isn't going to happen than about any potential email harvesting scam. I WANTED to see/buy his "tons" rocks and especially the 4 to 12 inch sphere machine.
If it sounds too good to be true ...
*sigh*
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Post by captbob on Jan 13, 2015 11:27:56 GMT -5
captbob what might be some good keywords to see if he has posted anything/anywhere else? Wow, He used everything in the book Scott. Listed dozens of rock types, saws, sphere machines etc etc - I can't even begin to recall everything he said he had for sale. Sounded like the sale of a lifetime. ETA: If he does it again, I'll find him.
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alan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 111
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Post by alan on Jan 13, 2015 12:37:55 GMT -5
Saw the same listing in San Antonio and OKC
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Post by fantastic5 on Jan 13, 2015 13:17:12 GMT -5
I think this guy just got me last week from an Atlanta craigslist post. Lots of material and equipment and when I asked for pictures he responded that he would let me know when the sale was if I would give me email. Thought it was odd but gave my email anyway. Just checked craigslist and the post is down.
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Post by captbob on Jan 13, 2015 13:36:31 GMT -5
So, what can he do with all the email address he seems to be collecting? Any harm, if you don't open attachments from folks ya don't know?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 13, 2015 14:02:07 GMT -5
I had a juggling website for years with my email plainly posted. Other than getting more junk mail, no harm came of it. I can't imagine what his intent was, unless it was just to advertise something lapidary related to the email list he generated. It's all pretty weird.
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Post by Pat on Jan 13, 2015 14:16:08 GMT -5
Hmmm, what can he do with the emails?
1- sell them to junkers and scammers 2- collect information on rockhounds, then go rob them 3-my email is public, and I've had no trouble except for lots of junk which goes to the JUNK file automatically
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jan 13, 2015 15:00:40 GMT -5
Looks like he was doing research to find out whether or not it's worthwhile to start a rockhounding website. I took a course or two on online marketing, and it's one of the techniques they recommend, to put out some test ads and see what kind of responses you get and what people are actually willing to spend. You are advised to do all that before you have any investment, because you may have a large number of ideas, and almost none of them will be profitable to pursue. I doubt he ever owned the items in the ad. He would have only followed through and started collecting product if he had a huge response from people willing to spend enough money to support a profit. But the rockhounds responding to such ads would generally be looking for estate sales and bargains of items selling below cost -- I know that's what I look for, a rockhound widow who just needs someone to haul the stuff away. So I suspect that he first deferred opening the sale and then decided it wouldn't be worth making the time and spending the money to do the sale at all. I mean, I'm speculating, and it's the first time I've seen this done for rockhounding, but I've seen it done A LOT for people testing around for other possible businesses.
If he ever does start a site/write a rockhound book/try to sell stones, then he will use the emails to have a list to start off with. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it much. The courses do give you advice on how to keep emails out of the spam folder, and if he sells the email addresses, he would get pennies at most. Not worth it I wouldn't think...
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Post by snowmom on Jan 13, 2015 15:02:25 GMT -5
here is something to speculate on. Say he is commissioned at 5 cents per email address, to supply a list of those who are interested in lapidary stuff. what better way to collect these? pretty clever. Now if he also has ads up for many other special interest groups, say those interested in skiing, people with handicapped kids, senior citizens, people with pets. How many ads on Craigslist could one individual or group of individuals be responsible for? Doesn't it make you wonder about all the times you have responded to ads for good stuff and been told it is no longer available? things that make you go "hmmmm"
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jan 13, 2015 15:03:40 GMT -5
here is something to speculate on. Say he is commissioned at 5 cents per email address, to supply a list of those who are interested in lapidary stuff. what better way to collect these? pretty clever. Now if he also has ads up for many other special interest groups, say those interested in skiing, people with handicapped kids, senior citizens, people with pets. How many ads on Craigslist could one individual or group of individuals be responsible for? Doesn't it make you wonder about all the times you have responded to ads for good stuff and been told it is no longer available? things that make you go "hmmmm" Yes, but at 5 cents a live email address, he just isn't going to make any money. Not worth doing. I agree that he almost certainly must be testing many other specific kinds of items targeted to specific categories, else he would be dead of starvation already.
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Post by snowmom on Jan 13, 2015 15:05:08 GMT -5
LOL I have no idea what the going rate is, just an example!
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jan 13, 2015 15:07:55 GMT -5
I actually think it's less than 5 cents a head but it's been awhile since I've seen a quote.
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Post by kap on Jan 13, 2015 17:43:24 GMT -5
Ann he got me too!
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Post by snowmom on Jan 14, 2015 6:04:41 GMT -5
might be interesting to compare your junk emails and see what crops up in common!
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alan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 111
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Post by alan on Jan 14, 2015 9:12:08 GMT -5
Perhaps he is an insider wanting to compile a list...
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jan 14, 2015 10:39:26 GMT -5
My junk emails are always for designer boots (which means someplace like Sak's or Shooz shared my info back in the day) and for plastic injection molding (which means they have linked me to previous product research for my hubby's job, which makes no sense, but proves a lot of names on email lists will never buy anything). I would never tell anyone to buy an email list, that's for sure. Does anyone ever buy from a spam mailing? In any case...Rock/rough sellers seem to be careful about not sharing their list with others. Seems like I don't get junk on those topics, just personal emails from folks I already know.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2015 14:20:06 GMT -5
Yeah.
Market research. May have a product (line) or is considering a business.
No doubt for me now. Market research it is.
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Post by captbob on Jan 16, 2015 10:43:59 GMT -5
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