Trying to sell my samsung gear

The scammers on eBay are so predictable that it has become pathetic in their ongoing feeble attempts at trying to snatch your gear.

But they are easily recognizable and usually only appear right after you first post your gear. Typically, you will get a text or email that says "Is this item still available?" Notice they don't mention what the "item" is? Usually it's pretty terse. Sometimes (they are getting smarter), will include a sentence or two that almost sounds legit.

So the uninitiated sellers usually get excited, thinking they've got a potential sale, and reply to the ad. Then a period of time passes and in some form the scammer will respond along these lines (not necessarily in these exact words):

"Great, I'm very interested, however, I'm out of state and work 12 hours a day. I can send you a certified check and have somebody come by (usually a family member) to pick up the "item." I will also include an additional $50 for shipping (or any variations thereto)."

Now it really becomes hilarious when they say they'll include an additional $50 to $100 more for shipping. No legit buyer will do that.

Well, again - to the uninitiated - you're thinking that's great deal, so you await the check in the mail. When it arrives, you deposit it, but the moment you get it, you've already sent out the gear (because you're honest). A day or two later, you're notified that the check is bogus. Or, the scammer will pay via PayPal. The uninitiated seller will be excited as he gets what looks to be an official PayPal email (the key is to look at the exact email address that is listed on there - the name may say PayPal, but if you look at the properties, you'll see a strange looking email address, which is a huge clue).

OK, so the uninitiated seller gets excited and clicks on the email link to check his PayPal balance. He/she enters their email address and password. Two things happen right then and there:

1. The scammer now has your PayPal information and log-in and can wreck havoc with your finances on that account. The scammer can go in and change things like the shipping address and log-in password - all unbeknownst to you (until you try and log in the next time).

or...

2. You don't even click on the mail link because you assume it's all legit. So thinking you actually have cash in your account (due to the bogus PayPal email notification), you pack up the gear and ship it to some PO box that the buyer provided you. You send the gear and that's the last you'll see of the gear - or any money for that matter.

SO WHAT TO DO: The moment I sense a scammer, I screw with them, such as:

1. When I get the initial terse text, "Is this item still available?," (Again, many scammers will use this impersonal, generalized question) I immediately respond with, "Ohhhh, what item is that?" OK - so they don't expect this and you can just see them researching or thinking, "oh sh_t, what item was that...?"

2. If they want to keep up the scam, they'll respond with the pasted in title of your ad. Then ask more questions - which they don't want to answer. Make them communicate - and any of their responses will usually sound canned retort.

3. In the end, I end it all by saying, "Sorry Scam-baby, I accept cash only and in person - no shipping involved unless it's all legit, and oh yes...I personally check my own PayPal account (not that one you may send me)." That usually ends it all. And in that email, I'll paste in an animated GIF of a hand moving with the middle finger extended. Haaaaaaaaaaaaa