We advertised three items for sale in the local newspaper, and received identical replies, obviously all from the same source although different names were shown on the mailings.

The only variation was that the "excess" was to be forwarded to "someone who would arrange shipping" for the items.

As these obviously were scams, we made no reply. All three were forwarded to appropriate authorities - including the newspaper, the Better Business Bureau, local police e-crime unit, Postal service, County and State Attorneys General (both of whom have e-crime units) with NO RESPONSE FROM ANY OF THEM.

A member of the family who probably should not be named (it wa'nt me) subsequently "loaned" one of the items to a friend on agreement that he could try it out and would purchase it if he kept it. This was someone I've known for about 30 years, and "other person" considered a friend for more than ten, but since he left with the item (a modest guitar, agreed price $100.) we've been unable to contact him and haven't heard from him - going on three years now. (Although we have heard from collection agencies based on his using me for a character reference.)

Ya never know who you can('t) trust.

John