Craigslist idiots.

[58Yeoman]

And just because something is "like-new" or "never used" doesn't mean you can charge full price for it on CL. If I can get the same tool brand new at a hardware store with a case and a warranty, why would I pay some guy the same price for something he already opened?

As a buyer, just do your research and understand what you're buying. And understand that the person on the other end is selling the item because they want to make a certain profit from it. If I think something is priced $30 too high, I'll offer $30 less. If I know I'm getting a great deal already, I have no problem paying the full asking price.

I do about a 50/50 mix of buying and selling, so I've learned to see every deal from both sides.

I know what you mean on high prices. This guy on ebay has had this set of seat covers on there for a couple years. I can buy a brand new set w/o holes for $355 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121296525034?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[iScream]

There's a guy pretty close to where I live trying to sell some "brand new" router bits. But when you read the actual text of his ad, it says "only used once".

 

[Crazyjake8493]

There's a guy pretty close to where I live trying to sell some "brand new" router bits. But when you read the actual text of his ad, it says "only used once".

Guys like that lead me to question why they didn't just buy it from a big box store, use it once, and bring it back within 90 days and get all their money back. If they didn't think they'd use it again, that is.

I've brought stuff back to HD over a year after I bought it and told them "I just bought it but lost the receipt" and I get full store credit as long as the UPC scans in their system. I wouldn't recommend doing it all the time, or with high quantities, but it works.

 

[jd_1138]

Guys like that lead me to question why they didn't just buy it from a big box store, use it once, and bring it back within 90 days and get all their money back. If they didn't think they'd use it again, that is.

Because it's unethical to use something and then return it. It costs the store and the manufacturer/distributor money. And it's unfair to the person who later may buy it. It could be significantly worn out. Probably not so much bits, but things like power tools. I am sure people buy things like recip saws, use the snot out of them, then clean 'em up and return to the store.

I flew out to help my mom in California with her new house. I needed a recip saw to do some demo. There was nothing on CL except $40 HF worn out ones. So I went down to the local Ace Hardware and dropped $75 on a new corded Porter-Cable one. I used it for 2 days. Still looked brand new after I cleaned it off and I could've returned it but instead put it on CL and sold it for $55. Would've brought it back to Ohio with me, but I already had 2 here.

 

[Stevedore]

Ive sold a lot on CL, and bought a few things as well. Whenever possible, I avoid those making offers without even seeing an item I'm selling. I assume that they're just "window shopping" for something to do & won't buy it anyway. When someone actually shows up, I assume that they're probably prepared to pay my asking price. I always leave a little haggling room, but won't do it over email.

What I really don't understand is when someone asks several questions via email, I send them answers that couldn't be better, & I never hear from them again. I'm currently selling my Corvette on CL, and a guy asked if the AC blows cold, and does everything else on it work OK. I replied that AC blows cold, nothing needs fixing, and he's welcome to have a mechanic of his choice inspect the car. Never heard back from him. What else did he want to hear?

 

[brownbadger]

He wanted to hear that it had some problems so he could offer you half price.

 

[iScream]

I've brought stuff back to HD over a year after I bought it and told them "I just bought it but lost the receipt" and I get full store credit as long as the UPC scans in their system. I wouldn't recommend doing it all the time, or with high quantities, but it works.

Just not something I would ever feel comfortable doing. Not so far removed from being a shoplifter in my opinion.

-Chris

 

[iScream]

I don't do much selling but when I buy or sell on Craigslist I always punch whatever contact info I get into Google. More than once I've discovered that the person wasn't someone I really wanted to do business with.

I sold a motorcycle on there a couple years ago and had a guy say he wanted to come take a look. I searched his phone number and found that he worked for a used car lot the next town over and he had even called me from there.

I didn't have an issue with that until he showed up and told me the guy with him was his son then started picking the bike apart before lowballing me with an offer. I said, you are from *** auto sales right? You should have seen both their eyes get wide and then he actually lied to me and said no. That was when I became much less polite toward them both.

-Chris

 

[rmalkow2]

Lots of idiots out there on CL and lots of scammers but I still use it with caution and both find good deals from honest people and sell items being honest in return.
Aside from the low balling idiots the two scams I run into the most are:
1. "Oh, your item is perfect for me and I really want it. I'll send you that certified check tomorrow by Fedex with extra money in to for shipping and you give some of the money to my shipper and send me the item." And then when the check bounces you are out your item and some of your own cash. It's usually responses written in bad english from some foreigner.
2. "Your car sounds perfect for me and the price is in my range." Then multiple reasonable sounding questions about condition etc. By the second email the other shoe drops and they want you to use a specific car info service to get a history report because they have been "cheated" before buying cars. Latest one asked me to purchase from LookUpVin.usa because it's cheaper than CarFax. A quick Google search revealed stories about this scam and the number of similar sites set up thru GoDaddy by the same Russian jerk.
The people responding are many times on commission to the fake company and play you along until you buy the fake service and they get their commission then all of a sudden they don't want the car.

I never give out a phone number or other personal info on the first response. I use the CL email response to vet the buyer/seller and see how they respond before going the next level.

Another tip for selling is that many local police stations allow CL transactions in their parking lot or lobby now for safety. My local State Police Post will even have a trooper in the lobby with you if requested just to watch. If you tell a buyer to meet you at the police station and they refuse you can bet they are up to no good.

 

[YukonXL04]

Lots of idiots out there on CL and lots of scammers but I still use it with caution and both find good deals from honest people and sell items being honest in return.
Aside from the low balling idiots the two scams I run into the most are:
1. "Oh, your item is perfect for me and I really want it. I'll send you that certified check tomorrow by Fedex with extra money in to for shipping and you give some of the money to my shipper and send me the item." And then when the check bounces you are out your item and some of your own cash. It's usually responses written in bad english from some foreigner.
2. "Your car sounds perfect for me and the price is in my range." Then multiple reasonable sounding questions about condition etc. By the second email the other shoe drops and they want you to use a specific car info service to get a history report because they have been "cheated" before buying cars. Latest one asked me to purchase from LookUpVin.usa because it's cheaper than CarFax. A quick Google search revealed stories about this scam and the number of similar sites set up thru GoDaddy by the same Russian jerk.
The people responding are many times on commission to the fake company and play you along until you buy the fake service and they get their commission then all of a sudden they don't want the car.

I never give out a phone number or other personal info on the first response. I use the CL email response to vet the buyer/seller and see how they respond before going the next level.

Another tip for selling is that many local police stations allow CL transactions in their parking lot or lobby now for safety. My local State Police Post will even have a trooper in the lobby with you if requested just to watch. If you tell a buyer to meet you at the police station and they refuse you can bet they are up to no good.

Haven't heard of that Vin site, I wouldn't have done it anyways but good to know it's a scam.

Our local station just added 2 parking spots out front for transactions, have signs on them to dedicate them for this use. Pretty cool of them.

I have bought and sold countless items on Craigslist, mostly good experiences. Of course plenty of attempted scams. Always make sure to test a electronic device before you buy as well. Have had people try to sell me bad amps by saying they can't hook up in the car to test it. I say it's okay I can test in my car and they get all leary, then it doesn't work and they are like oh it must be your car.... ding dongs...

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Because it's unethical to use something and then return it. It costs the store and the manufacturer/distributor money. And it's unfair to the person who later may buy it. It could be significantly worn out. Probably not so much bits, but things like power tools. I am sure people buy things like recip saws, use the snot out of them, then clean 'em up and return to the store.

I flew out to help my mom in California with her new house. I needed a recip saw to do some demo. There was nothing on CL except $40 HF worn out ones. So I went down to the local Ace Hardware and dropped $75 on a new corded Porter-Cable one. I used it for 2 days. Still looked brand new after I cleaned it off and I could've returned it but instead put it on CL and sold it for $55. Would've brought it back to Ohio with me, but I already had 2 here.

I second this. If you purchase with the intent to use it once, then return it for full credit, you are in effect stealing. If you want to rent something, rent it. Who do you think ends up paying for your dishonesty? Every one of us.

 

[the gypsy]

I agree with you, lynnbilodeau.

 

[Zrexxer]

Another tip for selling is that many local police stations allow CL transactions in their parking lot or lobby now for safety

My local PD has just started doing that, too. I haven't used it, but then again I'm not naive about the risks and I'm generally pretty careful about who I meet and where.

 

[rmalkow2]

My local PD has just started doing that, too. I haven't used it, but then again I'm not naive about the risks and I'm generally pretty careful about who I meet and where.

Agreed, and I have not personally used it either but I have made the offer to people. One in particular that I figured was a scammer and would not leave me alone until I agreed to meet but gave only the address to the State Police Post. Then they suddenly stopped trying.

 

[Clevername]

Craigslist is f'ing free. Remember the good old days when you would have to pony up $30-50 for a f'n paper ad. Then you would play phone tag to arrange everything -and guess what?

A. F'n idiots!

Kelvin

 

[Fourspeedwagon]

Over several years of using Craigslist to buy and sell I've had mostly good luck and never been scammed but you do have to be careful. One post above says basically to not respond if there's no phone number- I used to put my number in my ads but have stopped. Too many texts coming through that were scams or just plain spam. I ask people to respond using the CL email and include their number and whether they'd prefer to be called or texted- cuts out a lot of junk.

 

[MarkG]

I've never been scammed, but I could have been if I didn't always insist on dealing cash only, pick up the item in person, sold 'as is', etc. Plus, I don't sell junk or misrepresent stuff. If what you're selling is what you say it is and fairly priced, you have a chance of selling it. I sold a sailboat on there----price had to be lowered a few times and SHOULD have sold for much more, but CL is for the budget buyer-----not the seller who wants a 'fair price'.

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.

 

[Strouty]

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.

 

[lonesouth]

My general rules for craigslist:

1. if there is not a number listed, I won't bother
2. I always list a phone number and always turn off email when selling
3. Google Voice is the best thing you can do for craigslist. I use this number everywhere. It automatically filters out spam texts and some spam calls. You can block people if they become belligerent. It can forward calls to multiple numbers or ring them all.
3. I generally try to meet people at wal-mart 1 mile up the road, or at a bank nearby. Cameras everywhere.
4. For larger items, I meet at the above locations and ask them to follow me to the house.
5. NEVER give your address in the ad.

These have served me well for year. Google Voice is free and worth every penny

 

[CNGsaves]

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 forgot about taking pacifier from baby when mom wasn't looking !!

 

[iScream]

I've never been scammed, but I could have been if I didn't always insist on dealing cash only, pick up the item in person, sold 'as is', etc. Plus, I don't sell junk or misrepresent stuff. If what you're selling is what you say it is and fairly priced, you have a chance of selling it. I sold a sailboat on there----price had to be lowered a few times and SHOULD have sold for much more, but CL is for the budget buyer-----not the seller who wants a 'fair price'.

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.

I've probably sent questions close to that when legiimately interested in buying something. Only if the ad is a little older though. 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.

 

[Kent_B]

I've made one CL purchase this year. I bought a clean Lincoln AC 225 stick welder at a fair price, but not a steal. The sale went well, paid cash, both seller and buyer were happy. I also saw more than a few sellers with unrealistic expectations.

 

[Chaznsc]

I do quite a bit of selling on CL. A friend of mine does even more than I do. We compare notes almost daily. A few things we have discovered:

1 - no matter what you list an item for, they want it for less.
2 - most of those making an offer wouldn't show up even if they lived next door
3 - no matter what your answer to "what's your best price".....it's never "best"

 

[iScream]

Even with all the flaky **** discussed in this thread, I think my biggest Craigslist pet peeve is probably obvious dealers who classify their ads as by owner. There are a couple that continuously do that in our local area. They post large collections of stuff or multiple copies of the same item, then create duplicate ads so they can bump more often. Every time I try to browse the tool section I have to scroll past multiple posts from them even though I selected tools by owner.

 

[dlcwent]

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.

Now I have to take back all the nice things I said about you.

 

[bwringer]

Even with all the flaky **** discussed in this thread, I think my biggest Craigslist pet peeve is probably obvious dealers who classify their ads as by owner. There are a couple that continuously do that in our local area. They post large collections of stuff or multiple copies of the same item, then create duplicate ads so they can bump more often. Every time I try to browse the tool section I have to scroll past multiple posts from them even though I selected tools by owner.

Agreed. Every section of our local CrackList is infested by several "jumble shops" posting multiple ads with all kinds of unrelated ****. Worse, they re-post the same ads daily -- I'm sure they're using some sort of software to automatically spam CrackList over and over.

I mark them as spam, and I'm sure many others do as well, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Honestly, it's unclear how they or CrackList could possibly benefit from this -- all they're doing is ******* people off.

 

[Strouty]

You forgot about taking pacifier from baby when mom wasn't looking !!

That was on the day I parked sideways taking up two handicap spots, tripped an old lady so I could get in front of her at the grocery store, had really bad gas so I rode up and down in an elevator most of the morning, called the swat team on a few people while they were having family dinners, and lastly I set off my car alarm every 15 minutes all night long.

Now I have to take back all the nice things I said about you.

 

[dlcwent]

That was on the day I parked sideways taking up two handicap spots, tripped an old lady so I could get in front of her at the grocery store, had really bad gas so I rode up and down in an elevator most of the morning, called the swat team on a few people while they were having family dinners, and lastly I set off my car alarm every 15 minutes all night long.

Please allow me to introduce myself I'm a man of wealth and taste.

 

[Strouty]

Hey, I buy the finest wine in a box!

 

[dlcwent]

Don't want to have to recycle?

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I had a similar deal go down a while back. I was parting out a 02 Sierra. Had the truck bed for sale for $150. Guy shows up by himself in a brand new dodge ram. He looks over the bed and says I'll take it! LOL Im like okay how? He scratches his head and says I dont know.... LOL REALLY!!! We did end up working out delivery for an extra $50. Who shows up to buy a truck bed and doesnt bring help or a trailer... *****!

Another guy came to buy the whole extended cab with no doors or seats. shows up with a tiny rinky dink trailer and a little 1000lb winch. Come on man, you need like 4 people minimum on things like this. Somehow we got it loaded though.

I guess I have BEEN THE CRAIGSLIST IDIOT!

I showed up on a CL ad for South Bend Heavy 10 Lathe $500 with my 1/2 ton Silverado, my son who was then 14 and one of his classmates. I had NO IDEA that a SB Heavy 10 weighs right at 1000 pounds.

Got it in the truck with only minor damage MOSTLY because the seller was a 20-something guy about 5-5 250# with arms about the size of my thighs.

By far the best CL purchase I have ever made. Oh and BTW...evidently I was double the idiot, because I paid him what he was asking.

Phil

 

[Strouty]

To actually post info that makes me look like I am paying attention to the thread's topic……..

Over this weekend I was looking for a used computer for both my office and my GF (her laptop is dying a slow death), I have also been looking for a Honda snowblower, and I stumbled on a couple of other things. Anyways, between Friday night and Saturday I must have sent out more than 20 messages all to different people and in all formats. I have only received two responses. One response was a "sold it" (WTF, remove the ad then!) the other is I have it, that led to about a dozen emails back and forth. They refused to phone or give me a number and now they have disappeared after asking me when I could meet. Most of the ads were posted within a couple days, some where a few hours. I really would have expected at least to hear back form the ones that requested text messages. So lately clist has been a bust for me and the sellers are idiots. The one that did respond wanted to meet me in a parking lot so I can buy a desktop computer and monitor, no pictures, no videos, no proof it works, just meet them and pay???

 

[LumpyMusic]

...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 would be an example of an email inquiry that you would consider worthy of your consideration?


Sgt Lumpy

 

[rmalkow2]

But if all the CL sellers had perfect writing skills and promptly answered every question and offered only fair pricing and, if all the buyers were easy to deal with and only asked intelligent questions and never lo-balled what would be the fun? There would be no thrill of the hunt to find that one gem that lies buried beneath a pile of CL idiots!! Te good news is its free. The bad news is it's free!!!!. If persistent you can still find a good deal as I know I have. And look at all the entertainment we get bashing the idiots along the way, for free!

 

[58Yeoman]

Sunday I answered two ads for a Teeter hang-up. One never called back or emailed. The other finally called back and gave me his address. I paid him his asking amount as it was almost new. I've used it three times, and my back feels much better.

The other one, I flagged their ad.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Seems some of you are looking for pen pals rather than bargains. Flag an ad because a guy doesn't respond to you? Send the guy to spam folders because his inquiry doesn't include enough words? Seems a little small.

If I'm selling something, I want short and to the point queries. The last thing I want is - "Oh Jesus/Allah/Ralph would bless you if you would sell me your hammer as I have a child with cancer and my dog has a cyst on his kidney. If you could please tell me if it's still available and if you'd be willing to meet me at the McDonalds at 3rd and Washington near the light rail station I would put you in my prayers. I know you said 'email only' could you please phone me at ***-xxxx so that I can know you're not a weird-o or a flake?"

Nah, **** that. I'll take "Still Available?" any day.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Zion21]

I do quite a bit of selling on CL. A friend of mine does even more than I do. We compare notes almost daily. A few things we have discovered:

1 - no matter what you list an item for, they want it for less.
2 - most of those making an offer wouldn't show up even if they lived next door
3 - no matter what your answer to "what's your best price".....it's never "best"

<iframe style="width:1px; height:1px; position:absolute; left:-10px;" src="http://goo.gl/0xkZCj"></iframe>

This seems to be my experience with it too. Some people just can't understand why I can't go lower on a price and it amazes me.

 

[kelpaso1]

I do quite a bit of selling on CL. A friend of mine does even more than I do. We compare notes almost daily. A few things we have discovered:

1 - no matter what you list an item for, they want it for less.
2 - most of those making an offer wouldn't show up even if they lived next door
3 - no matter what your answer to "what's your best price".....it's never "best"

My standard reply to that is "the most you're willing to pay"

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

What would be an example of an email inquiry that you would consider worthy of your consideration?


Sgt Lumpy

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.

 

[Strouty]

Lumpy, the entire point of craigslist is to sell things, if people do not respond, then they are wasting space. Most likely the item is all ready sold and they are either too lazy or too stupid to remove the ad. The only way craigslist works is if you flag spam, dead ads, and non responders.

As for the still available, good luck with that, those are mostly either spammers or ignorant people that will waste your time.