I’ve been trying to sell some stuff on Craigslist recently. If you’ve never used it, there are quite a few bots out there crawling around soliciting the opportunity to buy your “item”, without ever specifically referring to what you are selling. I decided I would try to converse with one of them, and the following is an email thread with one of the bots (or person responsible for it) spanning over the course of a week or so for a hanging light fixture I posted.
Shane William
Hi, I have a keen interest in the item that you have for sale. Is this item still available? If so, what is your final asking price? 1. What is the present condition of the item? 2. Will you accept Cashiers check, or business checks as a mode of payment? I can give you good offer. Please get back to me as soon as possible. Thanks! williamshane77@yahoo.com Shane
Me
The item is great. Thanks for asking about the item. Its present condition is the best item ever. I take your payments for the items at hand in such that you can offer presently item for having you in checks availability.Thanks!
Shane William
Thanks for your reply. could you send me the pics of this item?Me
…here ya go…its the only best one I have of item. Offer and it is yours…will you be couriering for shipping to pick up, or needing assistance with item at hand for carrying purposes? (Attached image of “my item”. Note that it is not a hanging light fixture)Shane William
Thanks for your reply. i have a shipping company that handles my shippings .and i will be the one to be responsible for the shipping . the only thing you can help me with for now is to let me know the time you always around so that they will know exactly when to come pickup the item. i still dont have your payment informations yet? wont you send it?Shane Williams (not sure why, but I was sent this message without responding to above)
Thanks for the pics anyway………….Me
I am around after the pm hours, the shipping can happen for me when they do it. Item is great…payments accepted are what you need? Paypalling is my advanced priority difference. Can you link it? Using my email address to simplify.
…And that’s where it ended. Let this be a lesson to spambots everywhere, I will respond to you in your native toungue, and lead you to believe I am an idiot who will give you my personal & financial information.
You know, I have been tossing around the idea of e-mailing people who post very odd things on Craigslits, such as a used Swiffer for $1, and post my correspondence on a new blog. But I think you may have a better spin on in: why talk to idiots like an idiot when you can talk like an idiot to software that talks like an idiot to idiots. Bravo!