Craigslist Thief - Any Recourse?

[A_Rock]

So my little brother listed his 4-wheeler on Craigslist for $5000.  He communicated with an interested guy and the guy came this morning to pick it up.  The guy starts haggling (of course) and they agree to $4400.  The guy loads up the 4-wheeler and pays my brother.  My brother (the dummy) does not count the money until he has left.  He had given my brother $3400.  Both my brother and my dad tried calling the guy but (surprise, surprise) he has not answered them.  Other details, my brother lives in NJ and this guy had NY plates on his truck.  Now my parents are telling him that this is just an expensive lesson.  Meanwhile, I can't help but feel that someone screwed over my little brother and is there anything I can do?  Seriously, why does a grown man feel the need to steal from a kid.  Can we do anything or is this just an expensive lesson? 

[Self-employed-swami]

I hate people like that!


I don't know if there is anything he can do, besides maybe file a small claims court case against him.

[superheropunk]

Do you have the plate number?

I would check to see if you could file a police report.

[AlexK]

That's why you always count the money out loud, in front of the payer, immediately upon receipt of it. It is to protect both parties against this sort of thing. Even if the police got involved it would be his word against the thiefs, for all they know your brother is running a scam.

When I pay someone if they don't count it I always ask them to so they can't call later and claim something like this.

[A_Rock]

Half of the problem is that we just don't know enough about the thief.  We know what kind of truck he drives but my brother does not know the plate number.  We have his cell phone number but not his full name.  One idea my dad has is for my brother to now list the extra tires that he still has to also sell that went on the 4-wheeler and see if the guy bites on those.  I guess he could list them and if any one is interested that seems similar to Mr. Thief my brother could give him my number since I live in another state and have a different area code.  But overall that seems like a long shot.

[Frankies Girl]

I doubt that your brother has any recourse. He didn't count the money in front of the guy, and now it's a "his word against yours" situation - there is no way to prove that the guy didn't pay the right amount and you know that the guy will swear up and down that he did pay the full amount agreed on if you actually located him and tried to take him to court. If it was a genuine mistake, the guy would have contacted your brother after him getting the messages from your brother and dad.

Always count out the amount in front of the involved parties, and I ask for a (handwritten) receipt if it's over $100.

Unfortunately, it's like your parents said - a very expensive lesson. :(

[SnackDog]

I guess you could try posting on some other financial blogs and see if anyone has ideas...

[GuitarStv]

I think the parents were right.  Expensive lesson.  Always count your money!

[kevin78]

I think the parents were right.  Expensive lesson.  Always count your money!

Yep, this.  I don't think I'd want to take that much cash in a deal.  Seems like too much risk of slipping in a few counterfeits, etc.  I don't have much experience selling that expensive of items but what is the usual way to go.  Check?  Cashiers check?  Money order?

[grantmeaname]

Yep, this.  I don't think I'd want to take that much cash in a deal.  Seems like too much risk of slipping in a few counterfeits, etc.  I don't have much experience selling that expensive of items but what is the usual way to go.  Check?  Cashiers check?  Money order?

Cash that you count out in front of the buyer and a receipt is the standard way. It's not the cash that was the problem - the expensive lesson is to carefully handle the transaction.

[SnackDog]

With that much cash I would normally handle the transaction in a bank lobby for security.

[clutchy]

this is a fantastic lesson.  I would be pissed for awhile and then realize I was an idiot and learn from the mistake.