# What kind of scam is this? (Craigslist ad) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647 "2017-01-08T19:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/22 "2017-01-09T05:06:50Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > It is probably a great subject for a Sociologist to determine why the immediate assumption is “SCAM!” when encountering such offers. I suppose a sociologist could look into it. But wouldn’t they feel silly since the answer was provided by the OP in the two posts immediately prior to yours? ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/23 "2017-01-09T05:26:29Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > My initial thought was stolen credit card. But I suppose it could be that the person wants cash, and the credit card charges up the wazoo for cash advances, so they figure they can do better taking cash and giving people a few percent off of purchases. I don’t think Kohls charge cards even offer cash advances; a lot of store credit cards don’t. If they’ve got available credit at a specific store but really need cash or some good that this specific store doesn’t offer, they may be trying a self-help payday loan: they’ll pay the charge and interest later in exchange for the cash now. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/24 "2017-01-09T07:23:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Or it could be speakers (or whatever merchandise) that really does work, but is just really low quality. The thing is that the sound test in the back of a van doesn’t tell you its low quality. Because of the acoustics of the van, the carpark and the background noises, you might believe they are high quality speakers when really they are hopeless. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/25 "2017-01-09T07:44:48Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I know American people mostly use credit cards, but don’t you have debit cards with delayed payment? Isn’t a debit card with delayed payment just a credit card? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/26 "2017-01-09T15:43:25Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Isn’t a debit card with delayed payment just a credit card? Nope. It only means that the money is taken out of your account at the end of the month. But you aren’t really extended a credit. If there isn’t enough money at this time on your account, you don’t get a debt you are charged interests for. Your card is just going to be suspended. Technically, it’s a credit of sorts (very short term, and without interests) but it doesn’t work like a credit card. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/27 "2017-01-09T15:56:34Z")
I may be lacking imagination (or stores here in Canada work differently), but assuming one has an unwanted gift card, why not do this? 1. Go to store, buy a returnable item that costs exactly what the gift card is worth. Keep the receipt. 2. Go back the next day (or even later the same day) and return the item for cash or credit card balance. I suppose this wouldn’t work for gift cards for stores that don’t have returnable items (such as swimwear/lingerie boutiques or restaurants), but it seems in this case we’re talking about a hardware store. Why wouldn’t the person just buy goods worth the value of the card, then return them? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/28 "2017-01-09T16:07:00Z")
> [@xnylder](#): > > I suppose this wouldn’t work for gift cards for stores that don’t have returnable items (such as swimwear/lingerie boutiques or restaurants), but it seems in this case we’re talking about a hardware store. Why wouldn’t the person just buy goods worth the value of the card, then return them? I don’t work in retail, but since stores keep track of how you paid if cash/check/credit card, they probably keep track of items paid by gift card, too. If I return an item, the refund always matches the payment. Only if I paid cash do I get cash back; otherwise it’s a store credit or a card refund. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/29 "2017-01-09T16:08:45Z")
> [@xnylder](#): > > I may be lacking imagination (or stores here in Canada work differently), but assuming one has an unwanted gift card, why not do this? > > 1. Go to store, buy a returnable item that costs exactly what the gift card is worth. Keep the receipt. > 2. Go back the next day (or even later the same day) and return the item for cash or credit card balance. > > I suppose this wouldn’t work for gift cards for stores that don’t have returnable items (such as swimwear/lingerie boutiques or restaurants), but it seems in this case we’re talking about a hardware store. Why wouldn’t the person just buy goods worth the value of the card, then return them? Because they’ll give you a gift card for the value instead. They aren’t stupid, they don’t want people doing this. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/30 "2017-01-09T16:12:05Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I don’t work in retail, but since stores keep track of how you paid if cash/check/credit card, they probably keep track of items paid by gift card, too. If I return an item, the refund always matches the payment. Only if I paid cash do I get cash back; otherwise it’s a store credit or a card refund. > [@ftg](#): > > Because they’ll give you a gift card for the value instead. They aren’t stupid, they don’t want people doing this. Thanks for the answers. I could swear I’d done this myself at some point years ago (gift card from a store I never shopped at normally), but I suppose store policies changed for just this reason. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/31 "2017-01-09T16:17:56Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Nope. It only means that the money is taken out of your account at the end of the month. But you aren’t really extended a credit. If there isn’t enough money at this time on your account, you don’t get a debt you are charged interests for. Your card is just going to be suspended. Technically, it’s a credit of sorts (very short term, and without interests) but it doesn’t work like a credit card. I’ve never heard of these. Do they have a distinct category name? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/32 "2017-01-09T16:22:04Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Because they’ll give you a gift card for the value instead. They aren’t stupid, they don’t want people doing this. Yeah, the receipt (or the transaction records in their system) is usually flagged to indicate method of payment, and any discount that might have applied, so the refund can be made to the same value and method as the original payment. The only exceptions I’ve seen are in cases where an item paid for on a credit card was returned after the credit card was reported lost, or it naturally expired. In that event, the store normally wants to issue a gift card or credit note. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/33 "2017-01-09T16:25:40Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > EEVblog did a great [teardown](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3B_KKyntQE) of one of those speakers. That’s funny. What trash! ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/34 "2017-01-09T16:29:42Z")
Most likely they were trying to use their accumulated Kohl’s Cash (which is tied to their account). I believe it expired yesterday. > [@](#): > > Kohl’s Cash® Promotion Dates: > > Earn between December 11 - December 24 > » Redeem between December 25 - January 8 ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/35 "2017-01-09T21:14:14Z")
The one I encountered was a druggy mom who returned her kid’s Christmas presents and was only able to get gift cards because the relatives who gave the presents didn’t trust her enough to let her have receipts. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/36 "2017-01-09T21:46:54Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’ve never heard of these. Do they have a distinct category name? They’re called charge cards, the classic American Express card was such a card (though today they more often offer standard credit cards). > **[Charge card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_card)** > > A charge card is a type of credit card that enables the cardholder to make purchases which are paid for by the card issuer, to whom the cardholder becomes indebted. The cardholder is obligated to repay the debt to the card issuer in full by the due date, usually on a monthly basis, or be subject to late fees and restrictions on further card use. Charge cards are distinct from credit cards in that credit cards are revolving credit instruments that do not need to be paid in full every month and ... Note that charge cards, debit cards, and credit cards are similar but work differently. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/37 "2017-01-11T08:41:08Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Yeah, the receipt (or the transaction records in their system) is usually flagged to indicate method of payment, and any discount that might have applied, so the refund can be made to the same value and method as the original payment. > > The only exceptions I’ve seen are in cases where an item paid for on a credit card was returned after the credit card was reported lost, or it naturally expired. In that event, the store normally wants to issue a gift card or credit note. I remember back in the 90’s/00’s stores wouldn’t let you return video/computer games or movies if you had opened the box, you could only exchange it for a new copy of the same game/movie in case of defect (to prevent people from basically using the store as a free rental service). The trick was that you returned the open game/movie for a new version of the same game/movie, then the next day come back with the new unopened copy and request a different game/movie and/or refund. I don’t know if that’s still possible today. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647/38 "2017-01-12T23:53:37Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > I remember back in the 90’s/00’s stores wouldn’t let you return video/computer games or movies if you had opened the box, you could only exchange it for a new copy of the same game/movie in case of defect (to prevent people from basically using the store as a free rental service). The trick was that you returned the open game/movie for a new version of the same game/movie, then the next day come back with the new unopened copy and request a different game/movie and/or refund. I don’t know if that’s still possible today. I think most stores will open the new one for you before you leave now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-craigslist-ad/776647.md?page=1)