A bought a welder on Craigslist

[fried1765]

Buyers and sellers both need to do their homework before making a deal, regardless of the venue. But, just for laughs, suppose you contact the seller of that $30k+ TLB and offer him $25k and he says "OK, I'll do that." Then what? You still haven't seen it in person, so you still have to drive just as far to it, it still may not be in the condition you expect, and the seller is under no obligation whatsoever to honor the deal you made on the phone anyway! No way I'd buy an untitled piece of equipment of that value off Craigslist, anyway, nor would I sell one there. Too much risk and exposure - can't verify that there is not a loan against it, that it's not stolen, or that it even will be at the remote location the "seller" gives you. Might just be an empty barn on a foreclosed property - empty except for the four armed men there to collect your $25k in cash. If there is a TLB, it might be to bury you with.
There are better ways to conduct business of the $30k variety than Craigslist. But if you are looking for a 55 gallon plastic drum to make a counterweight out of (did), or a used welder (bought two and sold one), or buy or sell a titled vehicle (3 each), or pets, or office furniture, or lots of other things that you understand the market value of and can evaluate the condition of accurately, it's a pretty good means of getting buyers and sellers together.
One of the welders I bought was from an older gentleman who was downsizing and cleaning out excess equipment. It was a Lincoln AC-225 "tombstone" - and I already had the AC/DC version. He had it on a very neat rolling stand/welding/cutting table, package deal only. I wanted the table, had to buy the welder to get it. Sold the welder two days later for $25 less than the package price - still have and use the table. When I sold the welder, I agreed to meet the buyer in a WalMart parking lot in broad daylight. Safer for everyone. Same with the Tundra - had him meet me at work. I've even done deals at the Sheriff's Office. I'd just as soon not provide strangers the opportunity to case my property. I once sold some reloading equipment out of my apartment - two months later, lost my gun collection in a burglary. I don't think that was a coincidence....

Lots to respond to here!

Ok...so I offer 25K and the seller accepts (I am not interested in insulting a seller. On a 30K listing I might be more likely to offer 27K or 28K)

Yes...I do still have to drive to see the machine, but I at least know that I am going to look at a machine that can be purchased for a price I am willing to pay.
Pictures help a lot, but they are certainly not foolproof.

I have absolutely no problem buying an untitled piece of equipment off Craigslist.
How would any private party sell any tractor, or high value personal equipment, other than on craigslist, the front lawn, or newspaper want ads?

As for payment: Look at the machine first, but bring a certified bank check, made out to the seller, for the agreed amount. He could call his bank before releasing the tractor, if he so chose.

With prior bank arrangement, I could also likely get cash at HIS local bank. A cash exchange could be conducted at his bank, or even the local police station.
Or, I could instead escrow the payment with a local attorney.

I am not paranoid.
I seek practical solutions to avoid potential problems.
I have had many guns, for many years, and none have been stolen.
I don't live in California.

 

[lennyzx11]

The ones I don’t care for are.

Don’t list an asking price.

Don’t list an address. Zip code at least.

The one that really burns my butt is the “just throwing this out there to see if there is any interest” ones

 

[looch]

Here it is:



Exciting, eh?

 

[Ritothebull]

In my area most people are starting to use Facebook Marketplace rather than Craigslist, it still has a bunch of folks that can't post a listing wos but at least you know who your dealing with and the messaging system works great.

 

[fried1765]

Here it is:

View attachment 598104

Exciting, eh?

What a beautiful machine!
Looks like brand new!

 

[RNeumann]

Here it is:

View attachment 598104

Exciting, eh?

This is what I’ve been waiting for!!! It lives!!! For awhile I thought this was a spam post to create arguments.........haha. Thx for posting. This will bring generations for joy.

 

[looch]

What a beautiful machine!
Looks like brand new!

Based on the serial number, it's about 20 years old.

 

[Ford850]

Based on the serial number, it's about 20 years old.

That's in great condition. Look at how clean the cords are!

 

[looch]

I wasn't kidding when I said you could eat of the man's garage floor. I new immediately that this was the one to buy.

 

[RNeumann]

I wasn't kidding when I said you could eat of the man's garage floor. I new immediately that this was the one to buy.

Hopefully he has your number when it’s time to sell other items! He’s the kind of guy I want to buy tools from.