Why do craigslist ads for scalped (allegedly) GPUs include handwritten post-it notes

mcbain455 · December 3, 2020

I'm not in the market for the new GPUs at any price, but I always keep an eye on Craigslist, eBay and FB Marketplace for deals on previous-gen HW. Lately on CL, I see a lot of ads for the "brand new in box" "unopened" 3000 series GPUs which include photos of the boxes with handwritten post-it notes (example below,) or in the passenger seat of their car. Is the idea to convince me that the seller actually possesses the item? This *reeeeeeally* sets off my BS detector. Is this just another CL trope like "I know what I've got" and "lowballers will be ignored"?

SlashedM · December 3, 2020

3 minutes ago, mcbain455 said:

Is the idea to convince me that the seller actually possesses the item

Usually yeah, similar to timestamps on reddit for the trade market. I trust it more than whoever just uses a stock photo, Amazon screenshot, or even a screenshot of their own listing from a different app/older listing.

Spotty · December 3, 2020

4 minutes ago, mcbain455 said:

Is the idea to convince me that the seller actually possesses the item?

Yes. It's to show that it is their picture and they actually have the card. There are people who make fake listings and just use other peoples pictures to pretend they have it.

5 minutes ago, mcbain455 said:

This *reeeeeeally* sets off my BS detector.

If they're just using the stock photo of the card from Nvidia's website then that should set off your bullshit detector.

done12many2 · December 3, 2020

21 minutes ago, mcbain455 said:

Is this just another CL trope like "I know what I've got" and "lowballers will be ignored"?

My favorite statements in listings. When I see these comments I generally move on to the next listing. I find that a great deal remain unsold.

RejZoR · December 3, 2020

20 minutes ago, done12many2 said:

My favorite statements in listings. When I see these comments I generally move on to the next listing. I find that a great deal remain unsold.

If you know what you got, then why are you selling it with such absurd premium you idiot lol XD RTX 3070 for $750 is just absurd and I hope it'll sit in his hands until he'll have to sell it with a loss just to get rid of it.