Why I Don't Bother With Craigslist

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Yea I see your point but in all homesty most people haven’t a clue what their stuff is actually worth. Heck it’s even hard sometimes to gauge what my own stuff is worth.
 
If you want to do a specific Craigslist search........

Over the entire Craigslist network, check out this website: www.searchtempest.com. From here, you can set your search parameters and be prepared to spend the rest of the night perusing Craigslist, eBay, and Amazon all from the convenience of one website! Enjoy! :-)
 
I used to troll Craigslist all over the country for hobby items. The trouble with that is you first have to convince the sellers you aren't a scam artist. Then you have two more hurdles; payment and packing properly. Since you came to them, they have little incentive to do things your way or even to disclose if anything is wrong with the item. It can be an absolute disaster or a very pleasant experience. 


 


I used to do it all the time but had good success about 50% of the time.  You'll save money over eBay, but you can't put their feet to the fire like an eBay seller.


 


The way to go now are Facebook hobby groups.....all over the country and this is how people are buying/trading. I wish I had time to sort out all those groups and overcome my hatred of social media. It's always BEST to look at an item(s) if there's any way you possibly can. 


 


Kevin
 
But I've snatched up some real winners at amazing prices on Craigslist!

Such as this Electrolux, a Water Matic, a Kenmore central vac unit AND all the pipe and fittings from the house, a Nilfisk with P/N and attachments, a Whirlpool canister from the 80s, a wonderful vintagel Clarke wet/dry machine, an last but so not the least, my NSS M-1.

 
Not saying you can't get amazing deals on Craigslist locally or semi-locally. I was talking about buying sight unseen from out of state.


 


Kevin
 
What I'm saying is that it CAN work out to the positive....but the risk is great.


 


I bought a vintage stereo receiver once that way and I think because they guy had it so long he was blind to its faults. Still, it was a fantastic buy and he listened to me about how to ship it.  Again, I think he'd had it so long he didn't want to see it destroyed. Later on he asked me how I liked it etc and I told him its faults and thanked him...he was pretty butt hurt that I didn't think it 100%. 


 


But I've had some scenarios too that ended badly for me....got the items, but they were hopelessly flawed with no 'return' options. Risky business.


 


Kevin


 


 
 
I always shop CR out-of-state

I kinda have no choice but to. So far, I've
found some amazing items at reasonable prices.
The people I deal with are helpful and care
about their items "finding a good home".

Sure, the potential of risk is always possible.
But, since I pay by Money Order, I have their
mailing address. So, trust works both ways.

I did get a toaster that had a scorched skin
which was cleverly "hidden" by photographing
it sitting on a multi-colored blanket. But,
I can re-plate it, and it was only $10.
 
I've never bought on craigslist, only sold. There's a lot of crime in my area on criagslist, a common bait tactic is to list a cheap moped. When people come to the location to see the moped, there is no moped and they get beaten and robbed of their money (usually $500-700) for said moped.

But yeah, Craigslist is only for local things for sale, it's stupid to drive across 5 state lines just for a vacuum, no way.

Also at FCS3, I bought a toaster at a yard sale before for $1. I got conned out of the money and almost burned the house down because the toaster had a short inside from broken filaments and it caught fire.

And as another aside about Craigslist, the more difficult you make it as a buyer, the more the seller will refuse you and choose the next buyer. People want cash in hand when they do sell. No checks, no going to cash money orders, just cold hard cash.
 
That's exactly right....if you contact them out of state and try to talk them into shipping, it can get dicey because why should they bother if they can sell locally? The only real leverage you have is to give them full price while everyone else locally is trying to low-ball and/or don't show up when they say they will (classic Criagslist). On rare occasions, sometimes they're getting ready to pull the ad out of frustration and you just happen to contact them at that point.


 


As far as knowing their street address as leverage, most people don't assume that because you know where they live, you're actually going to show up and strong-arm them over a bad sale from outa state. I certainly never considered that or had it escalate to that on a personal level. It's like going to the casino; don't risk anymore than you can afford to lose.


 


Now if the have PayPal and it works off your checking account, you can give them instant cash that way....but that's one sided....once they get the cash, they can stall, disappear or whatever.  Fortunately, I've never had that scenario happen although it's always in the back of your mind. Again, risky business.


 


Kevin
 
If I drove up and there was no moped, I would just drive off and not get out! Not that I'll ever be in the market for such things. Thankfully at least around here the sellers have always been great to deal with, and I don't usually ever bother negotiating on the price, usually things are already much cheaper than ebay anyway, so I'm already coming out ahead.
 
Yeah in its best light, Craigslist beats eBay hands down.....and you get to see the item. All eBay has going for it is variety. I see stuff show up on eBay that I'll never run into in real life.


 


Kevin
 
Hey Real1shep

My point about having their address had nothing
to do with making a Sopranos "hit", or anything
of that nature. I would merely involve the local
Police and file a theft charge against the miscreant.

But the folks I've had the good fortune to deal
with have been open to shipping on all but one
or two occasions. If their ad states "Cash Only",
or "Pick-up Only", I won't trouble them with
my shipping request.
 
Hey FCS3

You probably haven't ever involved the local police in an outa state Craigslist sale gone wrong,  or you'd know how futile that exercise would be. 


 


Kevin
 
Sweet find

I'm glad I read this thread. I searched for a kirby 505. I found a guy selling one. It has original everything I do mean everything. Cord, wheels, bag, handle emptor everything. He has hose and original floor polisher. I will pay him tomorrow to ship it. I do not care if my wife kill me this is my dream vacuum. I don't want to say price. I hope it lives up to my expectations. Once I get it I'll post pics
 

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