Buying on CL

[Paul_NJ]

I keep reading threads about the "steals" folks here have found on CL, and I scratch my head. Maybe it's just the East coast, but my experience is that it seems like people double the price of what I'd think would be a good deal. Perhaps expecting to be negotiated down. I'd be interested in other's experiences. Do you have a strategy in purchasing via CL? Guess I need to improve my negotiation skills!

 

[Zrexxer]

Do you have a strategy in purchasing via CL? Guess I need to improve my negotiation skills!

You need to have one major understanding of the way that Craigslist works... the good deals are gone within an hour or two, the really smoking deals sometimes don't last 15 minutes.

Consequently, regularly finding good deals sometimes involves watching it frequently throughout the day.

For every good deal, there's a thousand postings by people who think their worn-out Wal-Mart **** is made of gold.

Remember that old saying about "separating the wheat from the chaff?" That's exactly what you have to do on CL, but there's comparatively few kernels in a ton of chaff. Location DOES make a difference too.

 

[charlie_nj]

It's a Jersey thing, lol. I've probably checked CL every day or every other day for the past couple years. I have only gotten a few of what I would consider to be good deals. Everybody's asking prices are way to high for most things, and I just dont have the time to be riding all over the place making offers on stuff. When I have seen the occasional good deal, it's usually snapped up in a couple hours of being listed.

Off the top of my head, I got a Snap On 1/2 cordless impact with battery and charger for $90 once, and got a box full of decent name brand (IR, MAC, Chicago Pneumatic) air tools, including a 1/2 impact, die grinder, 3/8 drill, air hammer, butterfly impact, and a 1/4 inch air ratchet, all in good working order for $75. I just bought a large, heavy Lyon parts bin with 66 bins for
$20, needs to be sandblasted and painted. Also each of these purchases was over a 20 mile drive each way.

The Philadelphia CL usually has way better deals, but it's an hour and a half drive for me. Everything in NJ is overpriced, CL junk is no exception.

 

[lbgradwell]

Zrexxer has it in a nutshell.

I've found some excellent deals, but they are few & far between and I spend a lot of time scanning the postings...

 

[bry@n]

I see deals all the time. It just depends on what I am looking for.

True Philly CL has good deals but it's too far from me. I scan 100 miles and have gotten steals. Got a couple over the weekend in fact. Timing is everything.

 

[bmwpower]

Next time you guys see something let me know. I drive through Philly everyday. I could pick it up for ya.

But the last deal I found through Philly must have been stolen. After some back and forth thru text msg (the only way he would communicate) no serial numbers on the tool, and had to be sold tonight...in north philly. No thanks.

Philly may have some deals, but you're 2x as likely to get screwed.

 

[z28snksknr]

I can rarely find good deals in NJ either. Maybe because all you guys are looking for the same stuff as well!!

 

[fatfillup]

I find good deals on CL quite often. Since i buy to resell, I am never looking for a particular item, but am looking for the deal. Patience and persistence and a willingness to drive a little are required. Also, always have cash in hand. I rarely try to negotiate over the phone cause that turns people off. I also try to develope a repore(spelling) with the people while looking over the item. If a guy likes you, he will be more willing to negotiate. Leave the cockey attitude at home. I usually let people know I'm reselling and can't pay top dollar. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

My children are raised and this is my hobby so I don't mind investing the time. If you don't have the time, buying from someone like me will still save you 50 to 70% off list price, which makes for fair deals.

Also be consistent in your looking.

I do Maryland and PA. CL and like others said, great deals are few but they are there.

 

[bry@n]

I find good deals on CL quite often. Since i buy to resell, I am never looking for a particular item, but am looking for the deal. Patience and persistence and a willingness to drive a little are required. Also, always have cash in hand. I rarely try to negotiate over the phone cause that turns people off. I also try to develope a repore(spelling) with the people while looking over the item. If a guy likes you, he will be more willing to negotiate. Leave the cockey attitude at home. I usually let people know I'm reselling and can't pay top dollar. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

My children are raised and this is my hobby so I don't mind investing the time. If you don't have the time, buying from someone like me will still save you 50 to 70% off list price, which makes for fair deals.

Also be consistent in your looking.

I do Maryland and PA. CL and like others said, great deals are few but they are there.

I do the same.

Often I have seen deals and met people in my travels. At least 5 times this year, I have bought stools, only to resell to recoup my money spent and either made a profit on the rest or stuff teh tools in my box as they were needed.

Last year alone, I did this 6-7 times. I smile when I look at the free tools in the box.

 

[bmwpower]

I do the same.

Often I have seen deals and met people in my travels. At least 5 times this year, I have bought stools, only to resell to recoup my money spent and either made a profit on the rest or stuff teh tools in my box as they were needed.

Last year alone, I did this 6-7 times. I smile when I look at the free tools in the box.

stools?.........

 

[Packard V8]

Three thoughts for you:

1.

I've probably checked CL every day or every other day for the past couple years.

Those who are scarfing the best deals check craigslist at least three times a day AND have the time to jump in the truck and go look at the best deals and have cash on hand.

Right now, I'm in the middle of building my Studebaker truck, so don't have as much free time. I[ve probably missed on a couple of good deals because I'm more full time on this project.

2. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. Naturally, with that many people within a short drive, the competition for the best deals is more intense. However, more people means more deals. You simply have to work harder, smarter, faster to get there first.

3. If you have particular tools you need, run a "WTB - cash for xxxx" listing both in the tools section and the wanted section. Occasionally, you'll get a call from someone who doesn't want the hassle of doing a listing.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Mickey O]

Time and luck, it helps to know what you're looking for and what it's worth.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I think if you really know what you are looking for, and act really fast, you could make money by buying and reselling on CL. I have never lost money on things that I have bought and resold on CL.

 

[mikevango]

i got a few deals and i surf cl sometimes four times a day. one time i was in bed and decided to check cl one last time on my phone. anyway twenty minutes later i was at the dudes house buying his old schwinn at 11:00 pm.
i live in a kind of small city so there isn't too many deals to be found. i did buy a 49 packard, some old bikes and a welder. i bought the hobart 140 mig for $175 brought it home and sold it on ebay for $290.

 

[Sleeper]

Maybe it's just the East coast, but my experience is that it seems like people double the price of what I'd think would be a good deal.

I think you are right on the money. I see good deals all the time in upstate NY, Philly or southern NJ but never anything within a two hour drive of the NYC area.
Yesterday I saw an add for a no name engine stand for only $300. I passed.
I think if you really want to find the deals you have to keep an eye on the Craig's List sites for smaller cities and then be willing to drive out there.

 

[back2class]

It's partly regional. My father lives in CT, so I check up there once in a while. Most everthing is expensive. Now in Atlanta great deals pop up alot as do they in FL.

 

[lyonkster]

Time and luck

I think this is the key. When I was looking for a toolbox, most of the good deals that I e-mailed about did not get me a response, meaning that they were already gone. The ones who did reply were the ones who were dreaming, $2000 for a beat up Snap-on KRA...

And then one day when I was about to capitulate and just buy the HF box, I saw the ad for the $500 Cornwell roller. Sent him an e-mail, never expecting to hear back. Lo and behold, he replied and gave me a phone number. I called, and within 5 minutes I was on the road, with 5 Ben Franklins in hand. The rest is history.

So I think the key is to have patience and perseverance, and to luck out on occasion.

 

[GrantMLS]

yeah its the number games thing - you watch it enough good deals will be there.. It's my home page on most of my computers - i look at it all the time through the day and see great deals about every 2 weeks..

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

As said before.... View often, have Patience and some luck, combined with being able to act quickly.

I can't tell you how many deals I got because people don't show up.... If I say I will be there, I will be there.....

I used to be about to count on seeing about 5 "deals" a month in my area on CL... Things have tapered off quite a bit since the fall (Maybe seasonal???)

Recently I see 1 good deal a month around me...

Another important thing!!! - I have cash in my Gun safe so I don't have to mess around with the $300 a day rule that my Bank has on my ATM card....

Gotta have the money ready too....

One of my favorite quotes (I think it was Nathan Bedford Forrest) who said the key to victory was to "Be Firstest with the Mostest"


-BWP

 

[bry@n]

stools?.........

Tools, sorry.

Having cash readily available helps. The locals will know that you buy things and brong stuff by all the time.

 

[charlie_nj]

Three thoughts for you:

1. Those who are scarfing the best deals check craigslist at least three times a day AND have the time to jump in the truck and go look at the best deals and have cash on hand.

Right now, I'm in the middle of building my Studebaker truck, so don't have as much free time. I[ve probably missed on a couple of good deals because I'm more full time on this project.

2. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. Naturally, with that many people within a short drive, the competition for the best deals is more intense. However, more people means more deals. You simply have to work harder, smarter, faster to get there first.

3. If you have particular tools you need, run a "WTB - cash for xxxx" listing both in the tools section and the wanted section. Occasionally, you'll get a call from someone who doesn't want the hassle of doing a listing.

thnx, jack vines

Unfortunately, this thing called a job interferes with being able to do the above

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Lots of good tips here...know the difference between an average deal, a great deal, and an absolute steal. Be flexible, be ready to go somewhere and meet up. Have cash at the ready. And be friendly, don't be pushy.

Some of the best deals I've gotten off CL were going to look at one thing, and ending up with a lot more that wasn't advertised.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Sometimes you dont know how good of a deal you are getting until you get there. My Matco box was that way. I thought I was going to bottom line it at 1200. Walked away with it for 650. Week later, 80 gallon IR that needs a couple parts for 100. Total investment will be about 275 for a 2 stage 80 gal IR thats about 6 years old. Time spent looking is the only way you will find them. I have found a lot of deals calling about one thing and asking if they have anything else...

 

[Aberdale]

I've bought things on CL that I thought were a great deal, only to find out later that I could have almost bought new for the same price. On the other hand, I've bought things that I thought were a good deal, only to find out it was a downright steal.

It's all about being in the right place at the right time. And being patient. (I'm not all that patient, so I probably spend a little more just to make the deal before it gets away.)

Dale

 

[fatfillup]

Much good advice here. Always have cash on hand. Be friendly. Be persistent. Be patient. Look for the deal, not the tool.

To those who haven't gotten the great CL deals, many members have spilled their guts on what it takes. Like anything else in life, it ain't easy, but it can be done.

Don't be jealous, get busy!!!!!!!!!!

 

[metal1313]

it also needs to be taken into account that nj does not have nearly the same level of hobbist metal workers or wood workers as many other states. i have found some good deals after sifting through hundreds of ****.

also people cant spell for their lives, and many dont speak english well or at all in the central nj area. you really have to look like 10 times a day to find anything useful. and tons of the posters will never respond to emails or calls

 

[Mickey O]

Always be careful about the neighborhoods you go to, out here people were placing fake listings and robbing the people when they came out, even robbed two cops.

Craigslist robberies: Chicago police arrest 3
November 20, 2009 8:29 PM | 7 Comments | UPDATED STORY

After a rash of Craigslist customers were robbed on the South Side, Chicago police scoured the popular Web site's ads for similar posts and posed as buyers.

When the purported seller of plasma TVs at bargain-basement prices lured undercover detectives to gangways and then brandished weapons, the officers pulled out their guns and made arrests.

Two brothers and a third suspect -- described by police as associates -- were arrested in separate stings earlier this week, police announced Friday.

"This was where a thug meets a white-collar education," Detective Joseph McGuire said. "It's robbery by appointment."

The bandits started off by claiming to be selling smaller electronics such as $100 Xboxes and then graduating to higher-priced TVs for $500.

Craigslist320Mugs.jpgDwayne Williams, 20, was charged with robbing a dozen victims on eight occasions. Most of his crimes took place within a three-block range of the 8700 block of South Parnell Avenue, a block away from his grandmother's house, police said.

Police said Williams learned the scheme from Jalmar Smalling, 19,and his brother, Jamelle, 18, who each were charged with five counts of armed robbery and one count of attempted robbery.

To add legitimacy to their ads, the three always asked for "serious buyers only" and requested that buyers contact them by phone, not e-mail, police said. But that proved to be their downfall.

"Those were the two phrases we were looking for," Lt. John McMurray said. "We had an idea, based on the language in the ad, that this was our individual."

Detectives built the case over a month, scouring the Web site every day for ads and subpoenaing Craigslist for information on previous posts.

Bail was set at $500,000 each for Jalmar Smalling and Williams and at $450,000 for Jamelle Smalling. Link

Off-duty cop describes shootings after answering fake Craigslist ad
Bails set for 3 accused of attacking 2 officers in attempted armed robbery

By Georgia Garvey
July 27, 2009

Police training and the briefest flash of intuition may have helped save the lives of two off-duty Markham police officers Friday night when they were attacked after answering a fake Craigslist ad.

Off-duty Markham Police Officers Leeotis Larry, 25, and Zakiya Wesinger, 28, responded to an ad offering a vintage Caprice Classic about 10 p.m. near 78th Street and Yates Boulevard in Chicago, according to court documents.

In an interview with the Tribune, Larry said his nerves kicked in as one of the men asked him to move through a gate to take a look at the car. The police officer lifted his shirt to get better access to his gun. He turned to the other off-duty officer and mouthed a warning for her to stay behind him.

“If anything was going to happen, I wanted it to happen to me,” Larry said.

Suddenly, the man pulled out a metal bat and began to hit Larry with it, he said. Shouting for the female officer to get away, he turned to run, expecting her to be in front of him. She wasn’t, Larry realized. Then he heard her plea for help.

“I hear her say, ‘Please don’t shoot me,’ ” Larry said.

He then announced he was a police officer, drew and fired at the men, hitting them all as they tried to escape, Larry said. Prosecutors on Sunday confirmed the officer’s account of the shootings.

The three men charged with attempted armed robbery in the attack are Daryl McClure, 27, of the 9200 block of South Clyde Avenue and William Hall, 27, and Rodney Youngblood, 19, both of the 7800 block of South Yates Boulevard.

“You think about regular citizens and you feel bad because it’s like a no-win situation for them,” said Markham Deputy Police Chief Tony DeBois at a news conference. “You know, they’re not police officers, they’re not trained for this type of incident.”

McClure and Hall were treated at Stroger and Northwestern Memorial Hospitals, respectively, and released, but Youngblood remained in serious condition at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, hospital spokesman Mike Maggio said.

Prosecutors said Youngblood kept lookout during the attack, while McClure held the weapon to Wesinger’s head and Hall attacked Larry. All three were charged with two counts each of attempted armed robbery. McClure’s bail was set at $400,000 on Sunday, Youngblood’s was $300,000 and Hall’s was $350,000. link

 

[Aberdale]

Always be careful about the neighborhoods you go to, out here people were placing fake listings and robbing the people when they came out, even robbed two cops.

Wow! Thanks for the posts Mickey O. I've never had a bad experience with a seller on CL, but I'm sure there could be a first time if I do it long enough. I'll be more careful in the future.

I wonder what the best ways are to avoid running into trouble? Perhaps meet only during daylight hours in a neutral location? That might be difficult for large items. Don't go to the seller's location alone? Sounds like that didn't matter in this case. Bring a weapon? Sounds like a bad idea.

Anyone have any tips on keeping CL transactions safe?

Dale

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I haven't had a bad experience yet... But I think caution should be used based on a few things.

1. The value of the item. - (One time I saw a KRL1003 being sold for $1000)... It was sold before I got to it, but I was going to go see it... I have a Concealed Carry Permit, so at least I feel somewhat safe in a meeting should things go bad. I would have brought a friend to that meeting and kept my cellphone in my left hand the entire time.

2. Seems to good to be true (See above)

3. Talking to the seller... What kind of gut feel I have about him. Tone, humor and why he is selling it for such a good deal.

4. Don't bother if your gut tells you something is wrong.... I have learned to listen to that little voice that says "Something is not right"

5. Nuetral locations are good... However, I have only bought one thing at a neutral location (A gas station during daylight hours) and it was only about $150.00. Toolboxes are hard to move to a neutral location....

-BWP

 

[fatfillup]

Bwp has good advice. I watch the neighborhood and avoid the bad ones. Normally try to do daylight hours only but thats hard during the winter. If something doesn't seem right, stay away. Take a friend who stays in the truck.

Most of my transactions have been in the suburbs and I've never had a problem, but I have passed on some in the city that don't feel right.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I
4. Don't bother if your gut tells you something is wrong.... I have learned to listen to that little voice that says "Something is not right"

BWP

ALWAYS listen to that little voice!

 

[Mickey O]

I bring my dog, I have automatic opening doors on my van and a finger on the button when i go to bad areas, I also carry something else that I won't mention on a public forum.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Just today, there was an article in my local newspaper about a guy answering a craigslist ad relative to an electronic gadget getting robbed of his purchase money after meeting a couple of guys in the Lowes parking lot. While he was examining a weighted box with the money in his hand, (dumb) the perp grabbed his $300, and he got dragged by the vehicle a few feet, while trying to resist. Perps got caught. The potential buyer managed to get the plate number. Police said this was a first involving this method via the internet for them in our town.


Be careful.

RJ