Used tool sellers rant

[Big Grouch]

I've been looking for a used Snap On KRL tool box. I check Craigslist and eBay all the time. WHY do sellers insist on not putting model numbers in their ads? It's bad enough on Craigslist you must search "Snapon", "Snap On" as well as "Snap-On". That part I can understand. But put the model number on there, bonehead! Yesterday I see a box. It has a blurry photo that looks like it was taken from the space shuttle, description " Snap On tool bax. lrge. call for info". I call the guy and leave a message. I ask him for the model number, condition, and where is it. I ask him to leave this information on my voicemail if I cannot answer. I get a message later "I got the box, it's right here. Call me if you want it". Another guy also had no model number. He replied with dimensions.."It's about 5 or 6 feet tall, and real wide. About 4 feet. Maybe bigger." Yeah...thanksalot pal. I can't imagine easy transactions on either of these, I think I'll pass.

End of rant.

 

[MJB24]

I find it equally annoying on the classifieds here when most people selling Snap On use only a part number. No description.

I don't feel like having to pull up Snap-On's website to translate what size drive or whatever it might be.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

WHY do sellers insist on not putting model numbers in their ads?

Why???? So it makes it easier for them to sell you their HF box with a Snap-On emblem on it.....

 

[Nanashi]

They probably don't know the part number or they probably don't work in the trade and are just selling something foreign to what they know.

 

[zkling]

95% of the time Craigslist sellers can be classified into one of the 5 following categories.

a.) Dishonest
b.) Ignorant
c.) Lazy
d.) Fishing
e.) Price via ebay or new, not a "good deal"

One of the above, possibly all of the above.

They probably don't know the part number or they probably don't work in the trade and are just selling something foreign to what they know.

The other day I needed a part for a washing machine. The first thing the service person asked is "what is the model number". I had to go look the machine over to find it. I sure as heck ain't a washing machine expert, yet I was able to obtain a correct model number.

Majority of society is extremely lazy. Heck we see it all the time on here. People come ask questions that can be solved via a <5min google search. Yet they chose to take the same 5min and post a topic or question for someone else to solve for them.

 

[Big Grouch]

They probably don't know the part number or they probably don't work in the trade and are just selling something foreign to what they know.

That may well be. There is a large white decal on back of Snap On boxes with the model number, older ones have it stamped. Too lazy to look, or maybe it's been removed? Then learn to read a tape measure. maybe I'm expecting too much from people.

 

[wjamyers]

Why???? So it makes it easier for them to sell you their HF box with a Snap-On emblem on it.....

nailed it.

 

[SweetD]

I find it equally annoying on the classifieds here when most people selling Snap On use only a part number. No description.

I don't feel like having to pull up Snap-On's website to translate what size drive or whatever it might be.

Agree!

 

[ken w.]

I love it when a CL ad say's price firm - if I don't get this price it's going to the scrap yard. Yeah it is.

 

[zkling]

I love it when a CL ad say's price firm - if I don't get this price it's going to the scrap yard. Yeah it is.

What cracks me up with those is 9 times out of 10 the seller would get more money if they just lowered their price compared to what the scrap yard would give them. I think alot of people just use that as a threat and are truly out of touch with what scrap price especially for ferrous alloys bring. Same with the "Or I'll put it on ebay" threat.

 

[Evan(CA)]

You're looking at it the wrong way. The best deals ALWAYS come from people who don't know anything about the items they are selling.

 

[RKA]

Exactly what Evan said!!! Typically, if they don't know the model number, they don't know the going rate for the box either (some know what they paid though). They just want it sold and aren't interested in scouting craigslist for similar ads, let alone ebay. Further, the guy looking for that KRL1022 is more likely to overlook the ad as well.

So if you're lucky enough to get clear pictures and it seems to meet your criteria, it's probably worth your while to pay them a visit and make an offer. Money talks. Without pics, I wouldn't waste the gas money unless they were next door.

 

[woody 73]

I find it very interesting that most ads give so little information, almost like a guessing game. you must remember that back in the day a person would call their local newspaper office and they in turn would help you place your ad and you would send in your money.

Today without an office person to guide you in placing an ad and not having to pay; now every Tom, **** & Harry now can play the game and most are lazy.

Yes nine out of ten ads for a box do not list any model numbers, wish they would because it would make life so much easier. After a phone call or E-mail most of them will look it up but it does take time.

Problem is that there is now a lot of game playing see D & E above ;that it takes time to weed out a lot of ads on cl.

 

[woody 73]

You're looking at it the wrong way. The best deals ALWAYS come from people who don't know anything about the items they are selling.

Very true...

 

[Flatintoone]

My rule is, "Assume everyone on CL is a lazy idiot. Deal with them accordingly." Evaluate with the information at hand and decide if it's worth pursuing.

I like to think that I sell more for higher prices because I give potential buyers the info they need.
On the other hand, I've scored a lot of great deals on ebay by spotting good stuff that was poorly described and/or photographed.

 

[cburnscrx]

That may well be. There is a large white decal on back of Snap On boxes with the model number, older ones have it stamped. Too lazy to look, or maybe it's been removed? Then learn to read a tape measure. maybe I'm expecting too much from people.

I think you are. Generally, people just want stuff gone. They're not trying to list it like it's going on ebay.

Buyers are just as bad.

I put a bench seat from an 88-98 Chevy truck on the curb for people to pick up FREE. It was in very good condition with no rips or tears. I posted pictures and everything. Here was the criteria...


Do not contact me, it's free!
Here's the street, it's two blocks long, you'll see it.
It's on the curb, first come first serve.
I will remove this ad immediately upon pickup.

I must have got at least a dozen emails asking for the exact address, time they could come by and see it, if I could hold it, could they buy it, would it fit so and so vehicle, why was I getting rid of it, ect.

Seriously? It was FREE!!! I just want it gone. Take it home, light it on fire, and perform the African anteater ritual (movie reference) for all I care. Just make it go away. Given that circumstance I just haul stuff I don't want to the trash or toss it in a dumpster. You try to be nice and give stuff away, and it turns into work. Ugh.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Today without an office person to guide you in placing an ad and not having to pay; now every Tom, **** & Harry now can play the game and most are lazy.

Woody, that's not laziness, that's just ignorance.

First thing I always ask CL sellers is how long was the yellow bus that they took to school. Was it the normal length kinda bus or the ones that were a "little" shorter?

That tends to tell a lot.

CL "skeeves" me out. Too many weirdos yet I have bought several thing from CL over time.

When I tell CL buyers I want to meet to buy or sell in the local sheriff's or local PD's parking lot to exchange pmt., that tends to be the fork in the CL road for many.

For me, I <3 many many guys with guns around for any legal tool or any legal item sale.
Whatz da problem. LOLZ.

 

[nickleone]

When I had a retail shipping store people would call and say I have X and want to ship it.
I ask how big is it. Usually they say it is ** by YY. My reply is that piece of paper will ship cheap if I can fold it up. I need one more dimension. No tape measure, a Dollar bill is 6 inches long a Twenty is the same length but it cost more to measure LOL.
Nick

 

[oldtools]

You're looking at it the wrong way. The best deals ALWAYS come from people who don't know anything about the items they are selling.

I got all my best deal from seller that doesn't know what they are selling like an Etalon micrometer for $2 that retail for $1300.

 

[2oolhound]

At least with a tool box you get a good idea from the pic. I remember shopping for a drill press. Most would say something like "big floor model"

We need to know:

single or 3 phase
HP
chuck size
type arbor
distance to column

with that info I know if I want to call for any other details or at least give us the make and model so we can search for the rest of info

 

[pepi]

Why???? So it makes it easier for them to sell you their HF box with a Snap-On emblem on it.....

Got to hand it to ya, that's probably pretty true.

 

[zkling]

You're looking at it the wrong way. The best deals ALWAYS come from people who don't know anything about the items they are selling.

Eh, that can go both ways though. Especially say at garage sales. I think some people price things on how shiny they are. Or say name brand like Craftsman. "O, that is craftsman, $50" when it sells in the store new for $20. A sellers ignorance can be a blessing or a curse at times. I always get raged when people say ball bearing slides on a tool box that does indeed not have ball bearing slides. Yet they go on and on about it.

At least with a tool box you get a good idea from the pic. I remember shopping for a drill press. Most would say something like "big floor model"

We need to know:

single or 3 phase
HP
chuck size
type arbor
distance to column

with that info I know if I want to call for any other details or at least give us the make and model so we can search for the rest of info

You sir are expecting WAY too much from the average CL folk. Phase? WTF is phase? Column? I don't know what that is. Lord help you if you ask morse taper

My rule is, "Assume everyone on CL is a lazy idiot. Deal with them accordingly." Evaluate with the information at hand and decide if it's worth pursuing.

Reminds me of my rule for life "Always expect the worst in people and you will never be disappointed" sad, but so true.

I think you are. Generally, people just want stuff gone. They're not trying to list it like it's going on ebay.

Buyers are just as bad.

Yes and no. I use to use CL all the time as a recent college student it was great for items that I could otherwise not afford. However with that said, I have seen a drastic change in craiglist over the past ~7 years. Craigslist use to be a place where people went to get rid of stuff, good prices no B.S. Today CL has turned into a crack head's ebay. They are quite a few "professional sellers" shall we say on CL these days, even pawn shops and retail stores are using CL to advertise their merchandise. CL seems to have become a game for those that do not work a typical 8-5pm shift.

Buyers are just as bad.

There are always the no shows. Or people that contact you and ask questions that are clearly stated in the ad. Or the "I'll give you $**.yy" crowd.

I put a bench seat from an 88-98 Chevy truck on the curb for people to pick up FREE. It was in very good condition with no rips or tears. I posted pictures and everything. Here was the criteria...


Do not contact me, it's free!
Here's the street, it's two blocks long, you'll see it.
It's on the curb, first come first serve.
I will remove this ad immediately upon pickup.

Sorry, but these ads just make me livid. Do you really think you are so much better than the average person that you can waste their time like that? What makes you feel so special? If you don't have enough respect for someone to at least take their call why should I have enough respect for you to even consider your item let alone waste my gas driving over to hope the item was there?

 

[crewchief888]

yea it seems CL (and ebay as well) has become the new version of the newspaper classifieds, amped up to the 1000th degree!

i dont bother to look anymore....

if i want overpriced junk and broken tools i can go to the flea mkt...

and (sometimes) pay flea mkt prices...
every time i go to the flea mkt or a garage sale, i hear at least one conversation...
"they go for $X.00 on ebay"

 

[Mickey O]

Might be the area you're located in, lots of weirdos in the Geneva area.

 

[cburnscrx]

Sorry, but these ads just make me livid. Do you really think you are so much better than the average person that you can waste their time like that?

Did you miss the FREE part? It's free for a reason, ie I am done with said item and don't want to be bothered with the hassle of selling it. If I wanted to invest any more of my time in it by responding to emails, answering phone calls, providing directions, ect. I would profit off it. In my opinion, they're wasting my time on something that's FREE.

What makes you feel so special? If you don't have enough respect for someone to at least take their call why should I have enough respect for you to even consider your item let alone waste my gas driving over to hope the item was there?

Again, I am not any better (or worse) than anybody else. However, there's nothing to "consider" about a FREE item. I deem it worthless in both time and effort, and therefore no longer care about the outcome with the exception removing it from my property. If I have to extend effort, I'll dispose of it myself for much less hassle.

In the end I learned my lesson, stuff like that now goes in the dumpster at work.

 

[kingofdogs1950]

meet at the cop shop: brilliant!

I LOVE the idea of meeting at the local police station for CL deals. What a great idea. Now, I've met folks many a time at many different places: my house, someone else's house, a very public store parking lot, half way between Austin and Houston at a DQ. Maybe I've been lucky but I've never had a bad CL transaction but there have been some that were... I did worry about a bit.
Now, meeting at the local police station makes wonderful sense to me. Doesn't seem likely I will be robbed and some guy with stolen stuff isn't likely to want to do a deal with cops standing around... I don't worry much at all living in a small city like College Station but I used to live in Houston and, well, its different in the big city.



Mark Robinson
College Station, TX

 

[crewchief888]

Might be the area you're located in, lots of weirdos in the Geneva area.

theres lots of them over this way across the state line too...

 

[Big Grouch]

Might be the area you're located in, lots of weirdos in the Geneva area.

I'm sure you're being sarcastic. The most recent problems have had 773 area codes. The guy who didn't list his city told me the tool box was "right here". Okay, that clears it up.
Again, if you are actually trying to sell something, try getting some correct information.
I do Craigslist transactions in the police parking lot, or in the case of camera equipment, the library. I say it's for both our protection.

 

[zkling]

Did you miss the FREE part? It's free for a reason, ie I am done with said item and don't want to be bothered with the hassle of selling it. If I wanted to invest any more of my time in it by responding to emails, answering phone calls, providing directions, ect. I would profit off it. In my opinion, they're wasting my time on something that's FREE.

O no, I can read. So you are saying since someone is getting something for free, you might as well waste their time?

 

[fatfillup]

I buy a lot off of Cl for resale. Both tools and boxes. You have to be patient, look at tons of ads and know how to deal with people and know the ones to skip over. Note, I am in the Baltimore Metro area and CL is quite busy here. In rural areas, that is not true so what I say would apply to larger cities not folks who live in rural areas far removed from population centers.

I can buy stuff to make money everyday on CL. You need to be quick and always have cash on you. You of course need to know your market.

If you are buying something specific for yourself (note, I am just looking for the deal) then it takes lots of patience and persistence. You **** deals don't fall into your lap, you have to search for them.

To the OP's complaint about folks not putting in much info or not knowing what they are selling. That can work to your benefit as others have stated, provided you are willing to put the time and miles in.

 

[jd_1138]

To the OP's complaint about folks not putting in much info or not knowing what they are selling. That can work to your benefit as others have stated, provided you are willing to put the time and miles in.

Like the mouth breathers who advertise it as a "Smap On Box" and then use a crummy 2 meg flip phone camera to take a fuzzy picture after dragging it out to the dirt to take a pic. So there are less people seeing the ad.

 

[uart]

I've been looking for a used Snap On KRL tool box. I check Craigslist and eBay all the time. WHY do sellers insist on not putting model numbers in their ads? It's bad enough on Craigslist you must search "Snapon", "Snap On" as well as "Snap-On". That part I can understand. But put the model number on there, bonehead! Yesterday I see a box. It has a blurry photo that looks like it was taken from the space shuttle, description " Snap On tool bax. lrge. call for info". I call the guy and leave a message. I ask him for the model number, condition, and where is it. I ask him to leave this information on my voicemail if I cannot answer. I get a message later "I got the box, it's right here. Call me if you want it". Another guy also had no model number. He replied with dimensions.."It's about 5 or 6 feet tall, and real wide. About 4 feet. Maybe bigger." Yeah...thanksalot pal. I can't imagine easy transactions on either of these, I think I'll pass.

End of rant.

LOL, email them back and ask if they'll accept an offer. When they ask how much, be as vague as they've been with their description.

Them: How much?

You: Um, it's just what I've got here in my wallet. It's mostly paper, kinda rectangular, at lot of it's green. I dunno, it might by a hundret, maybe two hundret, maybe just fiddy. Are you ok with that?

 

[cburnscrx]

LOL, email them back and ask if they'll accept an offer. When they ask how much, be as vague as they've been with their description.

Them: How much?

You: Um, it's just what I've got here in my wallet. It's mostly paper, kinda rectangular, at lot of it's green. I dunno, it might by a hundret, maybe two hundret, maybe just fiddy. Are you ok with that?

Now that's funny

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I find it equally annoying on the classifieds here when most people selling Snap On use only a part number. No description.

I don't feel like having to pull up Snap-On's website to translate what size drive or whatever it might be.

Amen!

I think you are. Generally, people just want stuff gone. They're not trying to list it like it's going on ebay.

Buyers are just as bad.

I put a bench seat from an 88-98 Chevy truck on the curb for people to pick up FREE. It was in very good condition with no rips or tears. I posted pictures and everything. Here was the criteria...


Do not contact me, it's free!
Here's the street, it's two blocks long, you'll see it.
It's on the curb, first come first serve.
I will remove this ad immediately upon pickup.

I must have got at least a dozen emails asking for the exact address, time they could come by and see it, if I could hold it, could they buy it, would it fit so and so vehicle, why was I getting rid of it, ect.

Seriously? It was FREE!!! I just want it gone. Take it home, light it on fire, and perform the African anteater ritual (movie reference) for all I care. Just make it go away. Given that circumstance I just haul stuff I don't want to the trash or toss it in a dumpster. You try to be nice and give stuff away, and it turns into work. Ugh.

I'll tell you something, I absolutely hate ads like yours. I may want exactly what you're giving away and be very grateful to get it, but I'm sure as hell not driving an hour to get there and find what you're giving away is gone b/c you stuck it on the curb and someone driving by came by and snagged it.

If I want to play that game, I'll cruise neighborhoods the night before garbage pickup. If you feel such contempt for people that pick up your free stuff, you may as well just pitch it. I give away stuff from time to time for two reasons, to help someone that can use it, and prevent it from going in a landfill.

I buy a lot off of Cl for resale. Both tools and boxes. You have to be patient, look at tons of ads and know how to deal with people and know the ones to skip over. Note, I am in the Baltimore Metro area and CL is quite busy here. In rural areas, that is not true so what I say would apply to larger cities not folks who live in rural areas far removed from population centers.

I can buy stuff to make money everyday on CL. You need to be quick and always have cash on you. You of course need to know your market.

If you are buying something specific for yourself (note, I am just looking for the deal) then it takes lots of patience and persistence. You **** deals don't fall into your lap, you have to search for them.

To the OP's complaint about folks not putting in much info or not knowing what they are selling. That can work to your benefit as others have stated, provided you are willing to put the time and miles in.

Nailed it!

 

[cburnscrx]

O no, I can read. So you are saying since someone is getting something for free, you might as well waste their time?

If you want to take it that way, then I guess that's your prerogative.

The way i see it, there is a distinct possibility somebody's time could be wasted, but it darn sure won't be mine since I have nothing to gain from the situation. If I have to spend my time, I am going to be compensated, and then it's not free anymore, it's for sale. If I am giving it away I consider it trash, and I will treat it as such. I am not answering questions about my trash to the sanitation engineer before he picks it up at the curb, and the same goes for free stuff on craigslist. Come, don't come, I don't care one iota. I will say I 100% remove the listing the minute the item is gone, I just think that's the right thing to do. There's a difference between answering a 1000 questions and being reasonable.

In the past I tried to do something nice by listing items that somebody might find useful. Even took pictures. I've given away perfectly nice car doors, good seats, sets of wheels, ect but it turned out being as much work or more than selling. Heck, somebody even stole my "Free" sign, and it was a nice sign that I stenciled and made out of reflective tape so you could see it at night. It ws driven into the ground with a stake. Pathetic.

Seriously, this is why I either donate it to charity or take it to the dumpster at work. I am sure I have trashed things people might want, but it's much easier to load it in the back of the Suburban and throw it in the dumpster than deal with the "does this widget fit my watchamacalit" or "can you hold it till next Thursday?"

And I get that nobody wants to waste their time and gas on something that may or may not be what they want, but that's the chance you take when it's free.

 

[cburnscrx]

I'll tell you something, I absolutely hate ads like yours. I may want exactly what you're giving away and be very grateful to get it, but I'm sure as hell not driving an hour to get there and find what you're giving away is gone b/c you stuck it on the curb and someone driving by came by and snagged it.

If I want to play that game, I'll cruise neighborhoods the night before garbage pickup. If you feel such contempt for people that pick up your free stuff, you may as well just pitch it. I give away stuff from time to time for two reasons, to help someone that can use it, and prevent it from going in a landfill.

And this was why I listed stuff for free, I thought it would be a good thing and a good deed. However when it became work, I had a choice to make... sell it or pitch it. Those are my choices now, I don't put up anything for free.

What I really don't understand is the "contempt" part of the equation. Why does not wasting MY time equal contempt? Please explain? (seriously) My time is valuable to me, and either I am getting compensated for it, or I am enjoying it at my leisure. Answering questions on Craigslist about free items is neither one of those things.

 

[zkling]

If you want to take it that way, then I guess that's your prerogative.

There is no other way to take it.

What is kinda funny though is you "wasted" your time by taking the time to create the ad in the first place.

Again, I am not any better (or worse) than anybody else. However, there's nothing to "consider" about a FREE item. I deem it worthless in both time and effort, and therefore no longer care about the outcome with the exception removing it from my property. If I have to extend effort, I'll dispose of it myself for much less hassle.

You SAY that, but your actions speak differently. It is a very suttle way of telling others you think you are more valuable and they are only worth your trash.

Let's put it this way, say I have something for sale, super cheap that you really want. You call and I say, "well I may or may not have people coming to pick it up, I won't hold it". Would you still be willing to come to look at the item?

LOL, email them back and ask if they'll accept an offer. When they ask how much, be as vague as they've been with their description.

Them: How much?

You: Um, it's just what I've got here in my wallet. It's mostly paper, kinda rectangular, at lot of it's green. I dunno, it might by a hundret, maybe two hundret, maybe just fiddy. Are you ok with that?

Awesome Like when people ask, "what is the lowest you will take?"; "well, what is the highest you will give? "

 

[cburnscrx]

Let's put it this way, say I have something for sale, super cheap that you really want. You call and I say, "well I may or may not have people coming to pick it up, I won't hold it". Would you still be willing to come to look at the item?

I've had that EXACT scenario play out more than once with Craigslist, and to answer the simple question, YES, I would be willing to come look. It the chance you take for free or severely discounted items. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

I had a scenario with a boat I wanted to buy. I called and made an appointment to come see it. I had to drive 50 minutes to get there and informed him I would be coming a reasonable distance for this appointment.I called the guy right before I left and asked him if the boat was still for sale. Yep, head on over. Pulled into the driveway, and there was a gentleman pulling away with the boat. Apparently there was an appointment right before mine and he bought the boat as I was driving over. It happens, oh well. Did I waste my time, yep! Would I do it again for another chance at a screamin deal? Yep, maybe next time it will work out better.

 

[NHBandit]

I find it equally annoying on the classifieds here when most people selling Snap On use only a part number. No description.

I don't feel like having to pull up Snap-On's website to translate what size drive or whatever it might be.

^^^^^ Now this I agree with. I understand that some guys here are ********* Snap On gurus and the "cool" thing is to only list the model number. Like a secret handshake or something that only they understand. I've been a professional mechanic for 40+ years, have owned several Snap On boxes including the one I have now and I would have to look up the numbers to know WTF they're talking about. Almost always I simply don't bother and move on to the next thread. It's like former military guys do (which I am one) with the abbreviations for everything. Pssst... NOBODY else knows what the **** you're talking about when you say you went to the JQRY and bought some NDFPZ... Show me a picture or I'm gone...

 

[I van putski]

Yea sellers are lazy. Sounds like the buyers are lazy and this thread proves it.
Can't be bothered to know the part number for what they want.
Can't use the sellers posted part number to research what it is.