Beware: Scammers

Michael and I have been posting ads to sell our Ipod Touchs (Sold). And previously have sold other things online. In the midst of this, we have recieved many e-mails and responses that have been potential scammers. We've had some experience with this in the past because we are always looking for deals on Kijiji. We have found people will try to get something from you without giving you the money as well as try to sell you something that does not exist. We have had a few close calls previously with selling and buying because we were not familiar with the stories that are sometimes told. I hate to see people I know be taken advantage of, so this post is to inform those who read this of the typical responses we have seen.
I believe this general rule more than ever: If it's too good to be true, it probably is.
This sounded like an amazing deal.

Hello,

Thanks for being interested in buying my car (2005 Honda Accord Hybrid) .
Milage: 31,230 Kms, Engine:3.0L V6 PFI SOHC 24V, Automatic Transmission, Leather Heated Seats, Air Conditioning, Cruise control, 6CD-Player, Electric Windows/Mirrors, Steering wheel controls. The car has been well taken care of, always kept in the garage. Flawless exterior/interior condition, no scratches and no dents. It has never been involved in an accident.
The price is not negotiable, $4,700.00 firm (the price may be a little low but it seems fair to me).
I am originary from UK, but I've lived in Victoria, BC for the past 24 years. Reason for selling is that I have divorced my husband and I've decided to move back to UK with my family. This Honda comes with a clear title which will be signed and notarized in the buyer's name. Have original manuals and all keys. We will use only eBay Vehicle Purchase Program to complete the sale and also the vehicle will be shipped at my expense form Victoria, Canada.
If you are interested email me your full name and shipping address in order to proceed.

Kind Regards,
Lisa Burton
Usually they will offer a larger amount than asked for (asking price 300)
hello Mrs , my name is Ejas wenty
i will like to no if your item is still available for sell , i will like you to get back to me asap because i want to buy it for a child of my brother wich currently travele to wset africa for some holiday so pls i will like to pay you amount of $450 for the item including the shipping cost to west africa, and if that is okay you can get back to me with your paypal id so that i can make the payment to you asap because the onlly way i can paid you is paypal so pls hope to here from you soon and here is the shipping address bellow
Name.....David Jonson
Address....36 Ijikoyejo Street Ijeshatedo
City...........Surulere
State..........Lagos
Country.......Nigeria
Zipcod.........23401
so that is the address and here is my email address bellow (ejas_w200@yahoo.com)
And usually they will have it sent somewhere international.
I am buying this item for my son that went on a research to Africa and i will be paying you via PayPal instant auction Payment, so do get back to me with the final cost plus shipping via Canada Post Parcel Air Mail International to number 14 Arakale street , City:Akure, State: Ondo, 23434 Nigeria, so do get back to me with the final cost plus shipping and also send me your PayPal email id or you send me a payment request to marleychris002@gmail.com, so that i can transfer the full funds for you as soon as possible I await your response asap, Best Regard

Another thing to be aware of is that sometimes the deal will look very legitimate. Once we even got an e-mail from "paypal" saying as soon as we sent the ipod, the money would be sent. Michael was suspicious and called paypal and they said "Don't EVER send ANYTHING until you are paid first". I think if you are selling something, sell it local and get cash for it. 

I hope whoever reads this can maybe even share it with others, so these thief's will have to look for other sources of income. Do you have any experience with people like this? Let's hear about it. 

The main event: Calgary Zoo

We recently had some friends from Edmonton come to visit, The Bennett's. They came on Friday afternoon with their adorable daughter, Bailey. We took a walk to the river and enjoyed the nice weather. That night we rented a movie and ate junk food. Saturday morning we went to the Calgary Zoo. It was beautiful weather outside. A couple of my favorites were the monkeys (all of them), the gorillas (there was a baby one and I was able to get a video of it so check it out below!!), I also enjoyed the dik dik's (weird name hey?) which I had never seen or heard of before and you can check them out by clicking on the name. Michael really enjoyed watching one type of bat that had the head of a wolf and all of us were amazed at it's wings. He also liked the male Gorilla. It was a great day and we got some good pictures too. We were able to play some N64 with them (the guys competed in Mario Golf) and all of us played the Rayman Raving Rabbid Wii games. Its nice to not only compete with Michael, because he always wins. It's also nice to have him lose to someone, haha! We really enjoyed playing with their little girl and just visiting because we don't really have any friends in Calgary yet.

This weekend, we might go up to visit them and our other friends in Edmonton because Michael wants to camp and the Bennett's have a backyard.... i dont know why Michael doesn't want to just stay in the house, but whatever. haha. I think we will also go to the temple in Edmonton. This week I applied to another salon and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have also been doing some reading while Michael is at work. Michael is enjoying his work (he is doing his clinical so he is working for a year and a half but not getting paid....) and he is learning lots. Each week he moves onto a new unit in the Tom Baker Cancer Centre here and he is assigned with a new person to show him the ways.

My best friend Jessica Payne (She was one of my bridesmaids) and her boyfriend (Jake Robinson) of forever, just got engaged last week at the GRAND CANYON!! I haven't heard the details yet but I am super excited for them both and I think they are a perfect match!!

Michael's brothers (Cameron and Devin) have been in Saskatoon all summer selling security systems and are finishing up and heading back to Lethbridge this Saturday. I think Michael is pretty excited and we'll probably be taking some trips down there so he can hang out with them.

Well, that's my post for now. It's nice to get comments to so I know people are actually reading my blog. Even just say hi!!

Summer 2009

After I was done work and Michael done his school, we packed up all our stuff and moved to Calgary. We pretty much just dropped it off and left to Lethbridge for 2 and a half weeks to visit family and friends. Here are some pictures of our holidays:

Just before we moved we went to the Legislature in Edmonton and enjoyed the 30+ weather with the other hundreds of people playing in the cool water.

We went camping with Breanne and Michael's parents for a couple nights at Crandell in Waterton.
We met up with the Bennett's in Magrath at the Magrath Days Parade. These two were like children waiting for candy.
We were able to go swimming at Henderson pool a couple of times.
We hung out again with the Bennett's and their adorable baby girl, Bailey.
We went to the Parker family reunion and this is a picture of my team when we played Amazing Race.
This is a picture of us in our new home!! Breanne was able to visit for a week and it was nice to have her.
My beautiful baby sister!! Isn't she pretty?

Now it is just Michael and I. He is at school everyday doing rotations at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre from 8-4:30. I have not found a job yet because I have been procrastinating applying. Our new ward is mostly elderly people which is a huge change from the previous ward. But it is nice to have the decision to go home and visit whenever we want. I love our new place because we have a lot more room and a single garage to put storage in. Come visit if you want!! We would love to have anyone come visit!