Opinons wanted on Craigslist competition

[City Farmer]

CL is great, sold some small Brinly disc today in 1hr. Unfortunately there's people out there that like to take advantage of every angle & squeeze people for their last dime. Not sure if you know this or not but you can set CL or eBay alerts to email you when something you want goes up for sale. I always bring cash and leave work early if it's something I have to have. Don't get mad or take it personal, just beat him at his game.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

This is capitalism 101. How do you think Donald Trump got so rich?

 

[RollingsFarms]

What would I do if I was the seller and a guy like this contacted me with a lowball number on his mind and a sob story to follow it up with? I'd tell him "sorry, pal, hope life gets better for you" and send him on down the road. If you really want to have fun with him, offer him $1000 less than what he bought the tractor for (talk to original seller) and then pick it to death and act like you're being generous with that offer. After all, you know what he paid for it, he doesn't know you have that ace in your pocket.

 

[paulfun9]

I wont be bothered with a buyer like him. Sob story and all when someone makes an offer less than my asking price I simply respond with a new price that is higher than my asking price by the same amount they were short of it! Makes for a fun day watching the look on their faces.

 

[newbury]

What would I do if I was the seller and a guy like this contacted me with a lowball number on his mind and a sob story to follow it up with? I'd tell him "sorry, pal, hope life gets better for you" and send him on down the road. If you really want to have fun with him, offer him $1000 less than what he bought the tractor for (talk to original seller) and then pick it to death and act like you're being generous with that offer. After all, you know what he paid for it, he doesn't know you have that ace in your pocket.

If you can email him from an anonymous account this would be good. If he gets your real email or phone number, well you know you are dealing with a poor character so expect the worse.

I've bought a lot of CL, starting with my B7610 in 2009 and lastly two 50 gallon fuel tanks, almost new for 1/4 price. I also follow Public Surplus auctions and constantly see items sell at the auctions and turn up on CL the next day for twice the auction price. All of my buys have ended up being a bargain for me and usually a relief for the seller, finally getting rid of something they don't use anymore.

But as the saying goes:"Manure happens"

Perhaps the best retaliation I've read of is to relist his ad at a lot lower price with his contact info.

 

[square1]

Perhaps the best retaliation I've read of is to relist his ad at a lot lower price with his contact info.

In the end the original seller must have gotten an acceptable price for their tractor. Why else would they have sold it? I don't care what the sob story is, if the offer isn't at least the minimum I have decided I will sell for, there is no sale.

That being said, if you want it, you have to get there first. If you want it to use, you're probably willing pay more than the flipper for it, but you still have to get there first or the seller never knows (or doesn't know in time) they could pocket a few more bills for their tractor.

 

[Professor Marvel]

I bought my NH from a guy doing that on CL (at least that is what I think he was doing). He was from Pittsburgh area and I am in Va. Worked out a deal with him and he had a friend deliver it to me. Sold it to me for a fair price. I have been very happy with it. He was quicker to catch it on CL than I was so it cost me a little more.

 

[varmint]

Interesting... I have purchased from CL, and sold two Kubotas there, as well as several autos and such. My method is to price fairly, buy from people you feel good about, and ignore the rest. I suppose I have been exposed to jerks, but they reveal themselves pretty quickly, to my mind. CL is a useful took in the right hands. A liar, if known, should be quickly flagged. But buying and reselling is fair, if the truth is part of the deal. Or, as they say, treat others the way you would like to be treated- works every time!

 

[varmint]

HDoilcan- I looked up your L3540- the re-seller got a heck of deal, it looks like! I am surprised you couldn't get more for it.

 

[TSO]

I buy and sell things on Craigslist all the time. I tend to be as honest as I possibly can, because I can't stand shady characters. Sometimes I might make less then I would prefer, but I would rather hold tight to my ethics and dignity when the day is done. Some people prefer to take advantage of others. Ultimately I have had excellent success and luck with my Craigslist transactions and maybe karma comes into play, maybe not. Hopefully it catches up with people like that guy you are talking about. It is true that there is a sucker born every minute, I just do my best come to not be one of them! As for capitalism... There are lots of ways to make money, I prefer to engage in the Honorable ones. At the end of the day I am still living well and have a happy heart, so to speak.