Craigslist is hit and miss. Around here it seems a lot of people are searching for tractor related implements and watch the listings very closely on a daily basses. You better act fast or the good items will be gone. There is also a lot of overpriced junk and I mean junk that people post for sale. Be sure, when you spend the time to actually go to purchase an item someone has posted, that you don't go in expecting your going to make a great find. Just be prepared to be disappointed.
Online Selling Practices - Craigslist etc. Rant!
- Thread starter Beltzington
- Start date
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I've had good luck on craigslist and have bought several items.
Had an odd experience a couple of weeks ago though. I responded to an add for a $50 airsoft gun and a bunch of accessories. After texting the owner and agreeing to a place to meet, he texted me later that night and said he decided he didn't want to sell it for $50 anymore. I asked if he still wanted to sell it at all, and he asked what I would offer. I told him I would go $75 on the lot and he said okay.
We met the next evening, and I tried out the gun and it worked as it should, and I still believe it was a good deal at $75. I think all that happened was that he listed it too low (I bought it the day after he first listed it) and he wished that he hadn't done it. I'm sure some people would have passed on the deal when he wanted more than his original price, but I put it in the context of "If it was originally listed at $75, would I have bought it?" I said yes, so I it was okay. He was a younger fellow (freshman in college), so I can understand his change of heart. I thought that he was still an okay guy - just made a mistake in his original listing.
One comment about people asking locations: I always ask the location when I contact the seller, unless they give a physical street address in the ad. Most of the time, people will put a city or zip code, but that is rare that they are actually there. The above listing that I responded to was listed in one town, but it was actually about 30 miles away. Last year when I bought a Mahindra tractor, it was listed in one town but again was actually in a different, smaller town about 20 miles away (and closer to me!). The reason that a lot of sellers do this is because they will get more "hits" if they list their item in a larger city. Of course, I live in a very rural area, so it may be different in more populated areas.
I enjoy craigslist and check it daily.
Good luck and take care.
Had an odd experience a couple of weeks ago though. I responded to an add for a $50 airsoft gun and a bunch of accessories. After texting the owner and agreeing to a place to meet, he texted me later that night and said he decided he didn't want to sell it for $50 anymore. I asked if he still wanted to sell it at all, and he asked what I would offer. I told him I would go $75 on the lot and he said okay.
We met the next evening, and I tried out the gun and it worked as it should, and I still believe it was a good deal at $75. I think all that happened was that he listed it too low (I bought it the day after he first listed it) and he wished that he hadn't done it. I'm sure some people would have passed on the deal when he wanted more than his original price, but I put it in the context of "If it was originally listed at $75, would I have bought it?" I said yes, so I it was okay. He was a younger fellow (freshman in college), so I can understand his change of heart. I thought that he was still an okay guy - just made a mistake in his original listing.
One comment about people asking locations: I always ask the location when I contact the seller, unless they give a physical street address in the ad. Most of the time, people will put a city or zip code, but that is rare that they are actually there. The above listing that I responded to was listed in one town, but it was actually about 30 miles away. Last year when I bought a Mahindra tractor, it was listed in one town but again was actually in a different, smaller town about 20 miles away (and closer to me!). The reason that a lot of sellers do this is because they will get more "hits" if they list their item in a larger city. Of course, I live in a very rural area, so it may be different in more populated areas.
I enjoy craigslist and check it daily.
Good luck and take care.
LD1
Epic Contributor
One thing I have found odd a few times when I was selling something, is someone wanting to know exactly where I live right off the bat.
I reply that I am right outside the tow of _______. Then they ask "well whats the address".
Hm, you dont want to know anything else about what I am selling, or when I will be around to show it to you, only my address right away? I dont know about others, but that sounds fishy to me.
The call usually ends with me politely telling them that I have no problem giving you my address if you are serious and want to set up a time to come look at it. I usually get a "I'll call you back" and never hear from them again.
I dont like giving out my address unless I know they are serious and set up a time.
I reply that I am right outside the tow of _______. Then they ask "well whats the address".
Hm, you dont want to know anything else about what I am selling, or when I will be around to show it to you, only my address right away? I dont know about others, but that sounds fishy to me.
The call usually ends with me politely telling them that I have no problem giving you my address if you are serious and want to set up a time to come look at it. I usually get a "I'll call you back" and never hear from them again.
I dont like giving out my address unless I know they are serious and set up a time.
In the Saginaw-Midland-Bay City craigslist website there is a posting for a Massey Ferguson dual remote valve with one handle missing and the listing states it may need some work. He also has a couple of photos and the thing looks like it has been buried in the dirt for 50 years. It has a price of $150.00
I wouldn't take it if he gave me $150.00 to come get it. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to paste it here.
I wouldn't take it if he gave me $150.00 to come get it. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to paste it here.
paulharvey
Veteran Member
I've had mixed results with CL and Ocala4sale.com.
Buying: I bought my tractor on Craigslist, and I got him down from $1500 down to $1400; but I had the money with me if he wouldn't budge. I got a 6 ft Frontier box blade for $190, list was $200; I told they guy (truefuly) that I had had $200 earlier in the week, but had spent the $10 since (lunch or gas or something). I really only try to spend about scrap value, that way your not taking much of a risk.
Selling: I've sold some ladders, a truck, and something else (forgot what) and every time it's been a pain in the butt. I try to meet people away from house because I don't like them eye balling everything. I've had no shows, people who offer 50%, ect.
Wife sells some stuff on Ebay with pretty good results. She normally lists at a bit lower than the minimum she wants, and always includes a Buy Out.
I've bought some stuff on ebay, in general not too disappointed; But... I've noticed a lot of re-re-sellers of imported stuff, who have no idea what they are selling. Bought a MK-180 crossbow, that was listed as a 180 lbs draw; after buying it ($72) and doing more research the manufacturer lists it as 130 lbs draw. ARC-180 welder, seller lists it as 180 amp; really is 135 amp. I've never sold on ebay myself, mostly because everything I would sell would cost more to ship than its worth.
I did have an eBayer get mad at me for asking a question. Add says 20# seed peanuts, $3.99... I message to ask, is that really 20 pounds? He say, I never said 20 pounds, you would have to be stupid to think I would sell 20 pounds for that. I had to inform him that the "#" typically would mean pounds/lbs, and if it's 20 individual seeds maybe try saying 20 each/pieces or something.
Buying: I bought my tractor on Craigslist, and I got him down from $1500 down to $1400; but I had the money with me if he wouldn't budge. I got a 6 ft Frontier box blade for $190, list was $200; I told they guy (truefuly) that I had had $200 earlier in the week, but had spent the $10 since (lunch or gas or something). I really only try to spend about scrap value, that way your not taking much of a risk.
Selling: I've sold some ladders, a truck, and something else (forgot what) and every time it's been a pain in the butt. I try to meet people away from house because I don't like them eye balling everything. I've had no shows, people who offer 50%, ect.
Wife sells some stuff on Ebay with pretty good results. She normally lists at a bit lower than the minimum she wants, and always includes a Buy Out.
I've bought some stuff on ebay, in general not too disappointed; But... I've noticed a lot of re-re-sellers of imported stuff, who have no idea what they are selling. Bought a MK-180 crossbow, that was listed as a 180 lbs draw; after buying it ($72) and doing more research the manufacturer lists it as 130 lbs draw. ARC-180 welder, seller lists it as 180 amp; really is 135 amp. I've never sold on ebay myself, mostly because everything I would sell would cost more to ship than its worth.
I did have an eBayer get mad at me for asking a question. Add says 20# seed peanuts, $3.99... I message to ask, is that really 20 pounds? He say, I never said 20 pounds, you would have to be stupid to think I would sell 20 pounds for that. I had to inform him that the "#" typically would mean pounds/lbs, and if it's 20 individual seeds maybe try saying 20 each/pieces or something.
RollingsFarms
Veteran Member
- Joined
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- Tractor
- Few John Deere's and one Ford 3600 diesel.
Never give out your address. Ever. If they want to come look at it bad enough they'll meet me somewhere close to my house. If it's something that needs to be moved (like a car that's not running or whatever) I'd probably just donate it for a tax right off anyways. I have sold a good bit off Craigslist and not once has anyone ever come to my house. They never will either.
JJZ 109
Veteran Member
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- Feb 7, 2009
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- Kubota BX2380/LA344 loader/60" MMM, Bobcat S185 skid steer, JD X394 4 wheel steer mower
And there's always the people to call to offer half your asking price, and then tell you that they can buy the item cheaper "all day long" someplace else. The last guy that did that to me when I was selling a bucket truck got a string of expletives before I hung up on him. End result, I sold the truck for about $3700 more than that clown was going to offer. He was most likely a tire kicker anyway.
Hint for potential buyers: we don't care what you can buy it elsewhere for. If that's truly the case, just do it and save us both the headache.
Also, after having 3 no shows on the same item, all of whom were "showing up with the cash" at an appointed time, I decided to no longer hold items. The item goes to the first person showing up with cash in hand. I have made exceptions for folks traveling a long distance. But they are fairly warned that if they don't show up by the appointed time and can't bother to call with an update, I may not be there. I refuse to hang around home all day waiting for a person who may or may not come. Listings are also not removed until the item actually goes down the road.
Hint for potential buyers: we don't care what you can buy it elsewhere for. If that's truly the case, just do it and save us both the headache.
Also, after having 3 no shows on the same item, all of whom were "showing up with the cash" at an appointed time, I decided to no longer hold items. The item goes to the first person showing up with cash in hand. I have made exceptions for folks traveling a long distance. But they are fairly warned that if they don't show up by the appointed time and can't bother to call with an update, I may not be there. I refuse to hang around home all day waiting for a person who may or may not come. Listings are also not removed until the item actually goes down the road.
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LD1
Epic Contributor
Hard to do with alot of the things I sell. Bushhog? Truck frame? Non-running equipment?
And alot of times, they will want to test things out. I know I would. If I was buying a used bushhog off someone, I would want to see it in action, and the seller needs to have a way to load it on my trailer. Kinda hard to do if we meet in a local Walmart. And if something like that were suggested, I would pass on the deal.
kevin37b
Veteran Member
I look at the wanted section when I am brousing .( Want a nice suv , less than 80,000 miles , no junk . Will pay $ 2k ) Really ?
paulharvey
Veteran Member
Swip-Swap (Facebook based) is pretty bad about some of the crap posted, as well as idiotic posts, begging for money, or just troll posts to get arguments going.