So, this is a thing?

"cody" (codyharris) 10/17/2013 at 13:36 • Filed to: Craigslist

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Oh the things you see on Craigslist...

Is this new? Is there a name for it? Should we give a name to it?

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:39

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SOme people apparently still aren't aware of the graphics editing powerhouse known as MS Paint.

Milky > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:40

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What the hell is the point?! if someone really wanted to steal your shit, they could set up a fake look at your car to just get the plate number then.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:40

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how about "Fingering your car"

Seems appropriate

Sethersm > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:41

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Well if they all looked like the last one, I'd propose "plate proctology".

Nibbles > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:43

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Yup it is a thing

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:46

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DailyTurismo > cody 10/17/2013 at 13:48

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I asked the exact same question a few weeks back — the only legitimate non-tin foil hat answer is related to people with non-comprehensive insurance worried about thieves stealing their car. This way the thieves have to call them and ask their address to setup a test drive before stealing the car. I call it fingerplating.

Harrycarry250 > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/17/2013 at 13:50

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Main use is for the illustration of cats.

NYSS > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/17/2013 at 13:50

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cody > DailyTurismo 10/17/2013 at 13:57

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This confirms its a widespread epidemic, and not only specific to one region!

willkinton247 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/17/2013 at 14:13

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That's what I came up with. Beat me to it.

BJ > DailyTurismo 10/17/2013 at 14:23

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I'm guessing most people do it because they're afraid of having their identity stolen over the Internet because they think that it's somehow more public and less safe than driving around on public roads in the public community of their everyday public lives. And that they're computer dummies who don't know how to block out a license plate from a picture with something simple like MS Paint.

NaturallyAspirated > cody 10/17/2013 at 14:24

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Personally if I see any attempt to obscure a license plate number in a Craigslist ad, I cross that car off my list. Craigslist car sellers as a group are shady enough as-is, if you aren't willing to let me see that it has legal plates and is properly registered, I'm not going to waste my time. Plus, in Cali you can look up the last few smog checks for a license plate on the CARB website, and get a heads-up on potential maintenance issues.

I blur out my plate on Oppo because I have an amateur radio plate that, if Googled, gives my full name, address, and phone number and I like you guys but not that much.

glassman222 > cody 10/17/2013 at 14:44

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They may be selling you the car, but they're giving you the finger.

cody > BJ 10/17/2013 at 17:10

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I've seen others where people use a hat, rag, or old t-shirt to cover the plate... But for some reason "the finger" is hilarious. Its like a Craigslist Easter Egg.