Selling on CL

[wrench409]

I once bought a used refrigerator on CL. When I arrived the lady looked very apprehensive and nervous. I handed her my drivers license for the duration of time I was there. She felt very relieved. And I understand why.

I recently bought a used shop vac on CL. When I got there, the guy claimed to be an excop from Chicago. Maybe to be boastful or whatever. I spent the next hour bullshitting cop stories, motorcycles and moving. Best afternoon I have spent with a complete stranger by far.

One has to weigh each situation carefully. Never throw caution to the wind.

As for that warranty story on the computer monitor........I've had worse incidents with people I've sold to who were friends, co-workers, family or co-members of user groups. I know where you're coming from there.

 

[superdutymike27]

Thanks guy's. I really appreciate your experience's and sharing your story's here.

As it turned out, I met the gentleman in a parking lot of a large retail store in which we both agreed to meet halfway. I threw a generator in the back of the truck to use as a power source so he could observe the welder in use which was really the biggest reason I posted this to begin with. I know if I am buying something I want to make sure it works and I figured the only way to see this work was to meet at my place or his and I sure didn't want anyone here so the generator worked out great.

As it turned out, he was a really nice guy and he gave me my asking price. He had been looking for this welder for some time and figures he will get alot of use out of it doing odd jobs for neighbors and friends. It's good to see someone get use out of something I wasn't able to use that much.

Thanks again.

Mike

 

[bobj49f2]

I have bought and sold on CL a fair number of times, I sell more than I buy.

I have a business in an industrial park so I usually have them meet me there if I'm selling something. I don't want people coming to my house which is out in the country, my nearest neighbor is a 1/4 of a mile away with trees between our property so you could do just about anything and no one would notice. The industrial park has the buildings close together with a lot of traffic and the cops drive through on a regular basis.

I have gone to seller's homes and businesses without a problem. Before going I always let my wife, or some one else, know exactly where I'm going and what I'm doing. I also try to find someone to come along. I also never buy or sell without at least talking to the person on the phone, for two reasons, to feel them out and also it seems to filter out the scammers. Scammers don't seem to like to talk to you on the phone.

Here are a few things I do when listing something on CL:

List the most detailed description of my item, with larger pictures
Ask for a phone number so I can talk to the person for the above stated reasons

Never list my phone number, I don't want scammers and kids with nothing else to do call my phone at all hours or post it on the internet for other to abuse. I can live with the few bogus email replies I get.

This is simple and actually seems to work, post at the bottom of my listing asking scammers not to reply because I don't want to know how to make fast money. I will also not answer email with generic terms like "Item" describing what they are wanting to buy. Also, I say I will delete any email from a gmail email account because it seems scammers always have gmail accounts.

I know this seems overly simple but since I've been posting the disclaimer I have gotten almost zero scam emails.

 

[superdutymike27]

I have bought and sold on CL a fair number of times, I sell more than I buy.

I have a business in an industrial park so I usually have them meet me there if I'm selling something. I don't want people coming to my house which is out in the country, my nearest neighbor is a 1/4 of a mile away with trees between our property so you could do just about anything and no one would notice. The industrial park has the buildings close together with a lot of traffic and the cops drive through on a regular basis.

I have gone to seller's homes and businesses without a problem. Before going I always let my wife, or some one else, know exactly where I'm going and what I'm doing. I also try to find someone to come along. I also never buy or sell without at least talking to the person on the phone, for two reasons, to feel them out and also it seems to filter out the scammers. Scammers don't seem to like to talk to you on the phone.

Here are a few things I do when listing something on CL:

List the most detailed description of my item, with larger pictures
Ask for a phone number so I can talk to the person for the above stated reasons

Never list my phone number, I don't want scammers and kids with nothing else to do call my phone at all hours or post it on the internet for other to abuse. I can live with the few bogus email replies I get.

This is simple and actually seems to work, post at the bottom of my listing asking scammers not to reply because I don't want to know how to make fast money. I will also not answer email with generic terms like "Item" describing what they are wanting to buy. Also, I say I will delete any email from a gmail email account because it seems scammers always have gmail accounts.

I know this seems overly simple but since I've been posting the disclaimer I have gotten almost zero scam emails.

Great advice Bob.

Thanks

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I have bought and sold on CL a fair number of times, I sell more than I buy.

I have a business in an industrial park so I usually have them meet me there if I'm selling something. I don't want people coming to my house which is out in the country, my nearest neighbor is a 1/4 of a mile away with trees between our property so you could do just about anything and no one would notice. The industrial park has the buildings close together with a lot of traffic and the cops drive through on a regular basis.

I have gone to seller's homes and businesses without a problem. Before going I always let my wife, or some one else, know exactly where I'm going and what I'm doing. I also try to find someone to come along. I also never buy or sell without at least talking to the person on the phone, for two reasons, to feel them out and also it seems to filter out the scammers. Scammers don't seem to like to talk to you on the phone.

Here are a few things I do when listing something on CL:

List the most detailed description of my item, with larger pictures
Ask for a phone number so I can talk to the person for the above stated reasons

Never list my phone number, I don't want scammers and kids with nothing else to do call my phone at all hours or post it on the internet for other to abuse. I can live with the few bogus email replies I get.

This is simple and actually seems to work, post at the bottom of my listing asking scammers not to reply because I don't want to know how to make fast money. I will also not answer email with generic terms like "Item" describing what they are wanting to buy. Also, I say I will delete any email from a gmail email account because it seems scammers always have gmail accounts.

I know this seems overly simple but since I've been posting the disclaimer I have gotten almost zero scam emails.

Those of us with legitimate e mail accounts through G MAIL don't appreciate this. Maybe it explains why my e mails to CL sellers often go unanswered?

 

[bobj49f2]

Those of us with legitimate e mail accounts through G MAIL don't appreciate this. Maybe it explains why my e mails to CL sellers often go unanswered?

Sorry about that, but every single scam email I've gotten has been on a gmail account. They're easy to set up and I assume they must be easy to supply bogus information so they can't be traced back.

Let's just say if I get a reply from a gmail account I'll be very leery, at best.

I really know they're bogus when they use wording like, "I much like to buy item your listing." and "I will pay price the you asking are."

 

[rburke65]

I'm with you Big Bad Dad.....my gmail acct is the only one I have ever had.

 

[bobj49f2]

All you guys with gmail accounts, do yourselves a favor. If you are replying to a CL listing don't just say you're "interested" in "your item". Write something more specific mentioning the item. Also it wouldn't hurt to tell the person where you're located and if you feel comfortable, your phone number.

gmail accounts are just a big red flag to me. I just got one tonight for something I listed on CL. The message was, "Hello, I might be interested. Any more information?
". That just tells me "SCAMMER!!".

 

[Cobra5150]

Whenever I place a CL ad I use a Google Voice number. You can even have it show up on their caller ID. The only issue I've had with it is sending pics but I could send them to an email. Just this afternoon I sold an alternator from a 1989 Mustang. Didn't get a warm fuzzy from the guy then he suggested meeting at a parts store so they could check it out -Good Idea. Met him at my closest Autozone, had it checked and pocketed the cash. Seems like a good guy too after meeting and talking in person.

 

[P0234]

The lowballers are easy enough to deal with. The flakes are a bit more annoying but you can usually feel them out.

I usually have people come by my work. Lots of cameras and people around. If they don't show, no biggie I was going to be there all day anyway.

 

[pink.lovebug]

Bought sold Ebay, Craigs List and other venues. Here are a few pointers that may help. Don't let anyone come to your house period! You are jepardizing your safety and possible that they may be checking out what else you have they can steal when you are not home. Yes you will have issues with spam mail but utilize your spam controls and you will be ok. You can get something similar to what parents get to put on their computer to weed out the lude emals. You know the prostutes that email and chat lines I promise you on craigs list you may get some of this. It is full of scammers so be very careful. If you dare go to the personals all it is is prositutes, perverts or loosers. You will not find a decent woman or man on a web site especially on craigs list ! Now think of these people they may be the ones contacting you on craigs list or selling to you beware I repeat a lot of scammers out there and never beleive a word of what they say just only if you see it your self.

If you are selling large items or a large lot of items and I have done this to protect my home and family, is to rent a storage building for a month and fill it up. How safe it is because they have cameras and never go alone or at night. I have known several whom have had estate sales or yard sales in a storage building by appointment only. Yes its a pain to drive to it but you will regret it if something happens from one coming to your home.

I have sold a lot of cars and they will be trailered to a public area in the day time for the person to look at it. again Safety first

and be sure your item you may buy is ok because that will be the last time that person will be found! you buy it then its yours so sad too bad

hope this helps yea I know its just common sence but there may be some that have not dealt with this and I hope it will help them

 

[superduty59]

First thing is you can never be too cautious! I think some of you don't trust your fellow man or have reason not to. I will continue to have people come to the house oand me go to theirs.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

All you guys with gmail accounts, do yourselves a favor. If you are replying to a CL listing don't just say you're "interested" in "your item". Write something more specific mentioning the item. Also it wouldn't hurt to tell the person where you're located and if you feel comfortable, your phone number.

gmail accounts are just a big red flag to me. I just got one tonight for something I listed on CL. The message was, "Hello, I might be interested. Any more information?
". That just tells me "SCAMMER!!".

My reply will often include my name , gmail address (which includes my first two initials and last name), cell phone number and landline number... and Hometown. I have lived here for 38 years, and my landline number, name and address has been published in the area phone books during that time... I had an email account through my local phone company for close to eleven years.. That dial-up connection, with a 56k modem, would normally run around 44K, and often dropped down to 23K..... sloooww.. In August 2011, I treated myself to a new laptop, and a usb internet modem... My old email account from the dial-up service was replaced with gmail... Google has been my favored browser for years, and the gmail is working good..

I have to agree that gmail gets allot of mis-use and abuse....There are buzzards all over the place pecking away at keyboards,, and CL does get abused with scam ads, spammers, ect....

 

[dropd80s]

I was only taken badly once, seven hour trip one way, a hotel bill, and seven hours back. I still call him every so often between 3 or 4 in the morning, just to tell him how sorry he is. Everything was good talked several times and actually met the guy. I offered him asking price, showed him the cash but he wouldnt sell. Found out from a few guys local to the area he'd done the same thing to them, with out the drive of course. Not much i could have done about it. The item was exactly what I was looking for at a very good price, not too good to be true, but still good. Most other transactions have gone very well.

 

[cadunkle]

I have had two welders and a few other things stolen from me. No idea if it's from past CL deals or just hoodlums from the ghetto down the street shopping, but it's been a few thousand in losses so far. A thief who knows what's inside will be more determined and willing to take the time and make some noise. If he doesn't know what's inside he'll move on to an easier target rather than risk being caught. Until I get my shop set up elsewhere no more high dollar easy sell items. Simply can't have nice stuff anymore since I can't afford to keep replacing it and they keep finding a way in even after hardening.

Anymore I won't do any CL deals at home. Not worth the risk to me, even though I am somewhat doubtful it was anyone from CL deals as they've all seemed like pretty decent people.

 

[bobj49f2]

One thing I just though about and haven't read here yet, you might be an pessimistic old fart and have experience some of the evils of the world but our kids can be fairly naive. I live in a some what rural area with a lot of very high end homes with kids who have parents that will indulge them with whatever they want and hardly use the word "No" when it comes to their kids. Most of the kids in school wear they baggy jeans below their asses with their under ware showing and the all think they're "gansta" bad asses and think they can go anywhere with they sub-burban "want to be" attitudes. They really don't know what the inner city is like. I don't belong to that group, my kid's have alway worn their pants where they're suppose to be and I won't tolerate "gangsta" **** in my house.

A while back my youngest was looking for a seat for his car and found the exact seat he needed CL. He emailed the CL seller asking where he could pick the seat up. My son called me on the phone and told me he was heading into the city to pick up the seat. I told him to hold on and let me check out the ad. I went on CL and found the ad. I also found ads that were similarly written for other auto parts for different cars. The address my kid said he was going to I knew was in a very seedy part of the city. I Google earthed the neighborhood and the address showed a low income housing project, no place to store the numerous parts that were being advertised. I emailed the seller explaining I had concerns about my son going into that neighborhood and I wanted to talk to him personally on the phone before I let my kid come to look at his parts. Never heard from the guy. I would think that if he was legit he wouldn't mind calling, or at least answering my email. I did not let my kid go.

Also, I wouldn't list my home phone on a CL ad or when I'm corresponding with someone on CL. It's very easy to find out where the land line is located. Cell phone numbers are a lot harder. We ported my house number over to my wife's cell phone and I won't give out that number, only my cell.

 

[chrisMason]

Burner email address/burner phone/meet in public places only (daylight hours)! To date, I've yet to have a single issue. CL is great for the most part.

 

[tolken4]

Always go wherever the item is and always sell from my garage. 100s of items between the two. 90% of what I am dealing in is old wood/metal working equipment.

I guess the kinda person selling a 1908 bandsaw is not gonna thug you for your cell phone

One concern that I do have is my kids and wife though. Having some freak see them and have an idea about coming back some day. I have them not there when I sell or stay inside the house out of sight for the most part.

 

[Zrexxer]

If you have people come over put it out side with the garage door down,they don't need in the garage.
I looked at a air compressor one time and the kid had it in front of the garage with the door down,good idea.

That's what I always do, no one see what's in my garage. If they need to see it work, power cord is run out from under the door and they get to demo it on the driveway.

 

[mmack66]

That's what I always do, no one see what's in my garage. If they need to see it work, power cord is run out from under the door and they get to demo it on the driveway.

Yep, it's that simple.