I can be pretty gullible. In fact, if "gullible" were actually even in the dictionary, you would find a picture of me next to it. But it's completely ironic that the word "gullible" isn't even in the dictionary! Go ahead, check for yourself.
Heh. Well, the classics are worth a try.
Though I don't usually fall for the "what's that on your shirt?" and "oh, look out behind you!" kind of stuff, I do fall for more elaborate, devious pranks.
For instance, I saw nothing wrong with giving one of my more mischievous friends the keys to my car when he offered to pick it up from the shop after getting a new tire. I never suspected he and my friend who worked at the auto shop would conspire to print out a gigantic "Juggalette 4 Life" sticker (for those not in the know, Juggalos listen to Insane Clown Posse, wear clown makeup and waste pop), put it on the back of my car, and park it in front of my workplace. Luckily, they were loath to waste high-grade adhesive vinyl on a silly prank, and the hatchet man peeled off later that night after a strong rain.
Not that I disavow Juggalos, as I myself was down with the clown as a teenager; I just don't think I'd want my co-workers to think I spray pop around in my free time.
I notoriously do not realize when people are messing with me, or are joking. Call me oblivious. This is why at first I thought the Craigslist ad with my phone number listed was an honest mistake.
It all began Wednesday evening. I was having a delicious slice of pizza when I received a text from some random 330 number asking "got pics?" Thinking it a simple wrong number, I deleted and disregarded. A few minutes later, a text from a completely different 330 number in Akron: "got pics?" It was getting weird.
After a few more ambiguous texts, clues began to arise. "Still got the truck?" "How much cash for the truck?" "Send pics of the 78 Chevy." OH. I get it. Someone must have posted an ad to sell a truck, and put my number by mistake. Happens all the time, right? I went to scan Craigslist, looking for the 78 Chevy truck in question. Surely, I could send a message to the seller and sort this out.
When I found the ad, "78 Chevy fullsize truck Lifted- $1," things got even weirder. Whoever placed the ad was willing to "trade for a good coon dog or a nice 12 ga pump." The people texting me were all willing to trade dogs and / or guns for my hypothetical truck. So, people just keep sacks of dogs and guns around for bartering purposes?
But it turned out I had buried the lead in my own brain.
It didn't cross my mind initially that the ad didn't merely contain an inconvenient typo, but was a complete ruse in itself. Only after discussing the bizarre texts and weird truck-for-dogs-and-guns scheme did a friend suggest to me that it was a prank. I did wonder who in Youngstown would have a need for hunting dogs and rifles, but little surprises me anymore. I should have also known better since the ad said "no messages, call or text anytime," thus opening me up for late-night early-morning annoyance. My friend also pointed out a mutual acquaintance who is a notorious prankster.
After eliminating several known mischief-makers, I am no closer to figuring out who used my number to make a probably-fake Craigslist ad. I sent a message to the supposed truck owner / probably prankster and flagged the post. Hopefully the site will remove it. As of Saturday night, I am still getting texts. I'm trying to politely tell people from all over Ohio and Pennsylvania that their hounds and guns are not needed.
So, if this is a real ad, I'm sorry these inquiries aren't getting back to you, and I hope you get a good trade. If it's fake, then prankster, you are entering a world of revenge. Cue Liam Neeson: If you take the post down, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will prank you.
Do you own a 78 Chevy truck? Or do you know who punked me? Send information to , or comment on this story at www.tribtoday.com.