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Craigslist idiots.

KenC

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Dec 20, 2009
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My standard reply to that is "the most you're willing to pay":twak:

Mine is: I really need to get my original price, but I'm willing to listen to reasonable offers. Now they either offer or I'll terminate the discussion. Ball's in their court.

And, I always price higher than my 'best price'. People are people after all! Everybody wants to think they got a deal.
 
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Strouty

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When people list firm, I usually pass unless it is a screaming deal. I have had many people offer me way less than my asking price, but end up paying way more than what the initial offer was.
 

thool

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Rochester, NY
If people took down the ad as soon as the item sold, then there would be no need to ask if it was still available.

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jives

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I've often given in on a price much lower than I asked. . . mostly because I want to get rid of it. The worth of something is entirely what someone is willing to pay. Certainly there are low-ballers that don't get the message, on the other hand there are sellers that are woefully ignorant on what the going price is. Any CLer that posts the new price on their "treasure" when it was purchased 20 years ago clearly has no idea what is it worth now. They think because it is old and was expensive at purchase should be the same now.
 

carhunter

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southern Ohio
When people list firm, I usually pass unless it is a screaming deal.

How about the guys that list stuff as "trade only, don't want to sell"...



Usually means "I want something better but know I can't sell this for anything near what it takes to buy it"

9 times out of 10 it ends up being for sale a month later for cash, but by the time the seller has come to his senses I bought something else for more money and further away!
 

Lassen Forge

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They think because it is old and was expensive at purchase should be the same now.

No, they think because it is "vintage" and "Rare" and "Unique" etc. they can ask 20 times what their POS is worth. Check out some of the ads for Harley parts... because it's for a Harley, it's gotta be worth my kid's tuition this semester... A speedometer head for 2 grand that 5 years ago was $300, a mirror that you could repop for under $100 for 10X that much... and if it doesn't sell, hell, relist it over and over, thinking some fish will bite.

Sorry, but these picker shows have really effed up the kids that want to build an old car/street rod/old bike, because these nimblewits have the idea their piece of scrap worn out whatever is cast of solid gold and plated in 10mm of platinum rather than a piece of junk.

The only consolation - Fleabay is worse.
 

MarkG

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Elgin, IL
Hey 'Lumpy Music'----Something like this works: (thanks Scott H) If 2 words are all you can muster, chances are you don't want to bother to open your wallet either, much less actually drive somewhere to pick something up. It works for me.


The "still available?" inquiries are sometimes just phishing to get your email or phone number.

A response I would be looking for is "if your toolbox is still available I would like to see it tonight after work"
Now I know you are really inquiring about a specific item I have and you have a timeframe I can respond to.

I do not list my phine number is my CL posts. I will give it after I've seen your email and I know you are a real person with a name with a real interest in what I'm selling. I don't need my number posted for just anyone to add to their spam robo call list.
And I am not going to the effort to get a special number just for my CL stuff.
 
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58Yeoman

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I like the ads that say someone needs to get rid of a car, because they need the space in the garage/driveway or whatever, BUT they may consider a trade for another. What? In other words, you've got a POS.

Someone gave me a set of harley take-off mufflers once to try and sell. You can't give stock mufflers away, no one wants them.
 

Chaznsc

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SC
When people list firm, I usually pass unless it is a screaming deal. I have had many people offer me way less than my asking price, but end up paying way more than what the initial offer was.

I have found that, without exception, when I put FIRM in the ad, I get no responses. Well, except for the bunch who can't read and they offer me 10% of my firm price :lol_hitti
 

MarkG

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Elgin, IL
I'd still rather put 'firm' as long as I really mean it and am set on that price-----why waste time with all the other inquiries only to find out they have no intention or means to pay what you want? Either that, or put a higher price and 'bargain' down to your lower limit if that's what works. I'd rather cut out the riff raff right off the bat, though.

The bottom line, though, is that almost all CL sellers want top dollar for their 'treasures' and all buyers will be glad to give you a dollar to take your 'trash' off your hands!
 

CJM8515

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NJ
I like when I have multiple people fighting to come see an item. If that happens I tell each and every person, that another person is coming right now and if the item doesnt sell I will call/email the person waiting back. So many people make a stink over that. Not my fault someone beat you to the punch
 

pcmeiners

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Aug 13, 2009
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In the only town in Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg.
"If someone try's to low ball me hard, I give a new offer, but add to it. I have something for $100, they offer $50. I say I'll take $120 ... they get all confused"

Excellent ...
Know someone who has done this as a Contractor and selling on CL, he gets away with it. He doesn't care if they curse at him. I was with him during a contracting job estimate, the client started the typical low ball price ********, he raised the job price $100, client was pissed, but paid the extra 100. In the Contractor favor, he was loaded, could have retired 6x, that is how you get away with it. Nice to be in that position.
 

MDSPHOTO

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Nov 10, 2011
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2,396
Location
Oz
"If I get the typical inquiry that only says 'Still available?' I don't even respond! If a buyer isn't interested enough to say more than 2 words, I automatically put them in the spammer category. If that's all they say, I have a hard time believing it's a real person who actually even read the ad. Again, just part of my 'weeding out' process of legitimate buyers."

"What else do you really want me to say if what I want to know is whether or not you still have it? There are plenty of sellers who don't clean up their ads after something sells."

Agree with both. That's why I clearly list in my ad "If you are reading this ad it is still available. I will not respond to e-mails asking if the item is still available." I still get 3-4 e-mails a week asking if it is available.

I'm guessing most people are getting hip to the above scam to collect live e-mail addresses so now the pro's are trying to provoke a response so they get your e-mail. Three e-mails last week stated "Ok so if I ask if its still available I must be a scammer? Will you take 50% of your asking price."
 

Dave in Mass

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Jan 29, 2013
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Massachusetts
I like the ads that say someone needs to get rid of a car, because they need the space in the garage/driveway or whatever, BUT they may consider a trade for another. What? In other words, you've got a POS.

Someone gave me a set of harley take-off mufflers once to try and sell. You can't give stock mufflers away, no one wants them.

You can give stock Harley mufflers away if you have a buddy who is a bit of a hoarder. This is how I got rid of mine although my buddy who took them is absolutely the type of guy who doesn't run a stock exhaust for 5 minutes. He still owns my 2004 mufflers.

CL idiot story. My son blew the transmission in my old truck I had given him. Truck had bad rocker rust but motor was good and the bed was good which is what the seller wanted. My son sold it for $650 after agreeing to take $100 off his asking price so the buyer could rent a trailer for his 100 mile round trip commute to pick it up.

Guy and his buddy show up in their p/u truck towing a U-Haul car dolly. I would say those are made for compact cars. Remember the truck wont move as ****** is shot. Guy and his buddy park the truck and dolly on the downhill part of the street and we help them push the truck out in the street so he can coast it onto the dolly. After hitting the brakes on the first couple of attempts forcing a push back and retry, he decides to just let it coast full speed onto the dolly. There was probably one inch of clearance left to right between the fenders of the dolly and he wasn't that precise on his steering so he smashed the taillight and broke the plastic fender. The ratchet straps to hold the wheels were so small that they had to let the air out of the truck tires to get them to engage.

No way he was getting his deposit back from U-Haul. Guess he shold have rented a trailer after all.
 

gte718p

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Mar 12, 2009
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I'm guessing most people are getting hip to the above scam to collect live e-mail addresses so now the pro's are trying to provoke a response so they get your e-mail. Three e-mails last week stated "Ok so if I ask if its still available I must be a scammer? Will you take 50% of your asking price."

Craigslist hides actual email addresses going both directions if you use their email links. You can't use it to collect emails unless your a ***** and put your email in the add. Even then craigslist will attempt to hide it from the scrapper bots.
 

maxpower_hd

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Apr 17, 2015
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Massachusetts
The ones that get me the most are the ones that ask more than you can buy a new one for, or ask for only slightly less than the cost of a new one even though theirs is 10+ years old but they paid top dollar at the time. Plasma cutters and welders are good examples. I shopped on line for years for used ones and bought brand new in both cases because you can get a new one for the same or only a little more than the used one and get a warranty to go with it. Plus it's usually a better unit too.
 

toolmiser

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Sep 1, 2009
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La Crosse, WI
Selling a few items and someone comes the other day to look at them. She says she didn't bring any money, I told her I didn't want a check so she said she would think about it. Later she did call back and buy it.

Another guy shows up to buy a cheap dresser with mirror $20.00. He has a truck, but no padding or straps to tie it down.

Another guy calls to ask about a freezer, he asks twice for me to lower the price, then asks the dimensions (which are posted on the ad).
 
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nh_yota

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Mar 10, 2015
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Seacoast New Hampshire
I've been using CL on and off for a few years now and I'd say about 90% of my experiences both buying and selling have been good. I'd like to think it's because people in NH are generally good people, but it's probably more because of the types of things I buy or sell on CL and the fact that I have a knack for feeling people out.
 

nh_yota

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My local grocery store has a double your money back guarantee on store products. Last Thanksgiving I bought all the store brand food, the next week I brought all the empty containers back, I made $75! Then I returned a bunch of things to Home Depot and Lowes, things that I had for 5 or so years, I got about $275 in store credit. Then I found a bunch of broken Craftsman tools at some yard sales, then I brought them to the store and got new ones so I could sell them on ebay. After that I saw a blind guy with a cup full of money, I pretended to put some money in, but actually took all the bills out of the cup.

You must be talking about Hannaford and their double-your-money-back guarantee. I worked at a local Hannaford for three years while I was in college. People would often try and take advantage of that guarantee. Worst was when people would buy $100 worth of live lobsters or clams, stick them in a hot car on a hot day and then return them for double their money back because "I got home and found they're all dead".
 

58Yeoman

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Oct 1, 2010
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Central IL
A couple weeks ago, I put a Northwest Orient sign on CL, about 3' in diameter. A guy emailed me and asked if I had any garage signs or other stuff. I said yeah, I've got oil cans etc. He asked for pix, which I spent time taking and sending to him (I'd gotten his real email address). I said that I also had a 5 gallon gas can from the Nourse company for $25.

He didn't like any of the oil cans etc., but said that he would give me $20 for the Nourse can. I didn't answer, but instead listed it on ebay, and sold it that day for $45. He emailed me a couple days later and asked if I still had the can for sale. I said no, that I'd sold it on ebay, but I didn't tell him how much. I haven't heard from him since.
 

nadogail

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Coronado, CA
I have once sold a bicycle on Craig's list for less than i asked, but for a price that was within the range I wanted.

I still list rentals on Craig's list, but brace my self for all the "bottom feeders" that respond.

Sometimes free advertising is overpriced.
 

upndown

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Desert Hills/Peeples Valley AZ.
A few weeks ago I texted a guy about a camper shell for my truck. He was selling and old POS truck, but the aluminum shell looked decent. Made him an offer $75 but said I'd have to see it first. Sends me his address, I said I'd be there in AM to look.

Next morning I see a text sent at 1:00 am. Price just went up..$300 for making me wait. WTF? I texted back and said the truck and shell weren't worth $300.
He replys with some abbreviations, must have been in Spanish :dunno:
I texted back..Just so you don't misunderstand I'll spell it out for you. You're an *******!

His Crack must be running low, saw the shell the other day for $40. :lol_hitti
 

1slomofo

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Mar 27, 2012
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When I sell on CL, I clearly state "no texts will be answered". If somebody isn't willing to make the effort to make a phone call they are clearly not going to make the effort to actually show up and buy it. It is also a great way to screen who may be coming to your place - you can tell alot from talking with someone a few minutes on the phone
 

M-technik-3

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Western Mass
Hate the phone calls saying what is the lowest you'll take first thing out of their mouth not a hello or simple conversation. The response from my end is either advertised price or dial tone.

Crazy these days and then you get a normal folk and life is better.
 

SuperPollito

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Sep 5, 2015
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Once listed a mattress and box spring on Craigslist. Young girl shows up with her parents, says it is what she needs for her first apartment, and ends up paying me $100 more than asking because that's the amount she had budgeted. I even tried to tell her to keep her money, but she insisted.... That had to be my best Craigslist transaction ever.
 

FigureItOut

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Bentonville AR
Nah said:
I used to feel that way. I appreciated the lack of nonsense and getting to the point. I've sold hundreds of items on CL and I still respond to "still available?" with a simple "yes". I've never, I mean never, heard back from them if that was the first email.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
 
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stikman56

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Then there's the other side....the sellers who won't even answer a damn e-mail, or text with one quick question. I sent both asking if he'd take $200 since he was asking 250 and said make a decent offer and bring a trailer. I'm ready to go get it at that price. Weeks and no answer. I won't be calling if the jackass won't answer the question. These types of sellers piss me off. It's been on a month, guess he don't want to sell it very bad. People that don't return e-mails, texts or calls, I just walk away, screw 'em. I had a long time friend who did this, 12 years later ( after he knew I called and didn't return it) his Wife contacts me to see if I'd come to his 50th birthday party. WTF?
Craigslist is full of all kinds, just like every day life.
 

stikman56

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When I sell on CL, I clearly state "no texts will be answered". If somebody isn't willing to make the effort to make a phone call they are clearly not going to make the effort to actually show up and buy it. It is also a great way to screen who may be coming to your place - you can tell alot from talking with someone a few minutes on the phone

Not true, I texted an offer and want to go get, but no return on it, so I won't bother with a guy like that. He asked $250 or decent offer, I asked him if he'd take $200 because that's what i'm willing to pay. Email and text, no response. Jackass can keep it, I won't deal with people that can't be bothered to reply with a yes or no, no matter how bad I want something. It's just a parts car, he's had it on a month......
 

bmxdad

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Feb 18, 2014
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Puyallup, WA
^^ what he said. I buy and sell alot on CL. And if you can't text me or answer my text, you don't really want to buy or sell it.

I don't answer unknown numbers on my phone, so it's a way for me to verify who I'm talking to.

sent by tapatalk for WP10
 

va.grouseman

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Mar 26, 2011
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Southern-Central VA.
Hell no! That was a huge red flag right there. I told him cash when he picks up will work.


Good for you.---If some ***-hat asked me for my account and routing #s, the next thing he/she is going to hear is click.

Wonder what they would say if you said, no, you give me your account and routing #s and I will withdraw the appropriate amount out of your account?:bounce:
 

oldjeepdog

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May 25, 2011
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5
Then there's the other side....the sellers who won't even answer a damn e-mail, or text with one quick question. I sent both asking if he'd take $200 since he was asking 250 and said make a decent offer and bring a trailer. I'm ready to go get it at that price. Weeks and no answer. I won't be calling if the jackass won't answer the question. These types of sellers piss me off. It's been on a month, guess he don't want to sell it very bad. People that don't return e-mails, texts or calls, I just walk away, screw 'em. I had a long time friend who did this, 12 years later ( after he knew I called and didn't return it) his Wife contacts me to see if I'd come to his 50th birthday party. WTF?
Craigslist is full of all kinds, just like every day life.

Yeah, you got love the guy that post "Engine $250 NO CALLS, NO TEXTS< NO EMAILS, No LOWBALLS." and then they wonder why no one calls on the advert.
Think about it the advert is free. Provide as much info as you can to avoid crazy callers.
 
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JasonF

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Aug 22, 2012
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Central Mi
The "still available?" inquiries are sometimes just phishing to get your email or phone number.

A response I would be looking for is "if your toolbox is still available I would like to see it tonight after work"
Now I know you are really inquiring about a specific item I have and you have a timeframe I can respond to.

I do not list my phine number is my CL posts. I will give it after I've seen your email and I know you are a real person with a name with a real interest in what I'm selling. I don't need my number posted for just anyone to add to their spam robo call list.
And I am not going to the effort to get a special number just for my CL stuff.

This is exactly how I do it as well. I don't know how many times when selling snowmobiles on C-list that I get an email asking if the "bike" is still for sale? Been riding lots of years and have never heard a sled called a bike. Its an excellent way to filter people who will just waste your time.

With that said I am a little OCD in regards to the fact that very few people get my phone number. It annoys me that when I go to places like TSC, Lowes, or getting a Ticket at Menards that they feel the need to ask. I love the dumfounded look when they ask for a phone number at checkout and I say simply "no", its like their head is going to implode.:)
 

Nor'Easter

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Nov 30, 2012
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Maine
I had an ad up for a free set of west coast style mirrors for an older Ford. Hated to just throw em. So this guy agrees to meet me early in the AM at a location that's on my way to the shop.

Never shows, for something that's free. Never heard from him and I ended up throwing them in the trash. :confused:
 

VoodooCLD

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Sep 12, 2014
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I had an ad up for a free set of west coast style mirrors for an older Ford. Hated to just throw em. So this guy agrees to meet me early in the AM at a location that's on my way to the shop.

Never shows, for something that's free. Never heard from him and I ended up throwing them in the trash. :confused:

These days, i don't give people the option of letting me down. Straight to the trash with them.
 

jives

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Central NY
Always puzzled by why set up a time to give away stuff for free. I've given away lots of stuff on CL. . . kids bikes, kitchen sink, old simplicity mower. Put the stuff out by the road, gave an address. First come, first serve.

Now, I just put the stuff by the road with a sign. It will be gone before the day is out.
 
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