Craig's List: Is reading a lost art ?

[California]

People get me asking new price for used.......stuff. I was looking for a 7' boxblade, saw one on the c-list and text the guy about it. It was slightly used and missing 3 shanks, he wanted within $100 of a new one.

A similar scam appears on Amazon. Stuff from Harbor Freight, Home Depot etc that you can't buy anywhere else marked up 50~100% and offered as 'rebuilt' with a different product #. Obviously the seller just runs out and buys the item when he gets an order. Buyer Beware!

 

[KYErik]

When I sell things on CL, I always hate when ppl just text- "do you still have it?" so I started putting a statement in my ads saying "I will pull this ad down within 10 min of selling the item, so if you are seeing this ad, then it is still available". Then I just ignore the messages that ask if I still have it.

I have sold at least 20 things on CL and agree that you get about 20 responses before you finally find someone that will even drive out and see your item. Typically the first or second person who came out and saw it would buy it. I attach tons of photos and give a long description so that hopefully only serious buyers will respond.

I also have this statement, "First to hand me the cash gets it- I will not "hold" it for anyone- cash only- no checks, no trades, no payment plans".

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I especially like incomplete details on heavy equipment like, oh, I dunno, hours and miles.

 

[ovrszd]

My Son buys/sells on Craigslist a lot. Automotive vehicles and items. He says 10 misses for one hit.

 

[bcp]

I especially like incomplete details on heavy equipment like, oh, I dunno, hours and miles.

Or:

"tracter for sell"

No photo, no description, no etc.

Bruce

 

[SandburRanch]

I also have this statement, "First to hand me the cash gets it- I will not "hold" it for anyone- cash only- no checks, no trades, no payment plans".

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I don't buy or sell on craig's but that's a good plan. Then about all that remains is watching for counterfeit money.

 

[California]

Or:

"tracter for sell"

No photo, no description, no etc.

Bruce

Sounds like a joke, but it's real. My most recent purchase was advertised as 'Tractor $1'.

It was nearby so I looked at his photo, it was exactly what I was looking for.

Worse for him, his 'Tractor $1' listing hadn't generated any calls so he dropped his price $1,000 after 4 days. I jumped on that!

 

[Travelover]

Seems like the only responses I get are "wil U take les?", even for items priced extra cheap that I only want to get rid of at any price.

 

[hawkeye08]

Considering that more than 50% of the population is just stupid, it is to be expected that you will get some. You will even get an occasional respond from a non stupid hoping that you are the stupid one that they can take advantage of...

I bought some used wheels for one of my daughters, guy was certainly wanting to make a quick sale, wondered later if the house was even his..

 

[ovrszd]

Considering that more than 50% of the population is just stupid, it is to be expected that you will get some. You will even get an occasional respond from a non stupid hoping that you are the stupid one that they can take advantage of...

I bought some used wheels for one of my daughters, guy was certainly wanting to make a quick sale, wondered later if the house was even his..

Very common for sellers to not meet you at their house.