Craigslist Frustration!

[timmac]

It is so bad that Craigslist has disclaimers on its pages and in any correspondance you receive from them. Yes a lot of the people are legit, but a huge amount are not. The listings you see are only part of those submited since some are removed due to flagging

Most of those scams, however, warnings or not, can be easily avoided by following some simple advice... cash only, in person, at a neutral location, and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I don't mean to sound like I'm any less sympathetic to those who have gotten a raw deal, believe me. But when you use craigslist, if you do so going in and understand that it is what it is, it usually works out ok.

 

[timmac]

Can anyone offer a site that provides similar services to Craig's list!

Short answer: I'm sure they can.

Longer answer: Wouldn't necessarily do you any good. As a seller or buyer looking to reach the largest possible audience for free, you can do no better than craigslist. For a fee, with a slightly different way of working, there's eBay. Anything else "similar" is a distant second.

If the concern is over how people act, etc, you're going to find that anywhere. People will be people. Good, bad, or indifferent. Just look at this thread alone and it's easy to see slightly different perspectives on the same situations.

The way you'll find something "better", if I'm understanding correctly what you mean by better, is with a paid service like eBay where the cost of doing business is what allows them (by paying for, essentially) some of the protections and processes.

Edit:

If you think about what craigslist is at the heart of it, it's still pretty impressive. Take two otherwise random people who don't know each other and allow them a means to connect to complete some sort of a transaction. Not exactly an easy thing to happen smoothly. So you take it for what it is, and work with it as best you can.

 

[mchelle77]

My husband and I sell stuff on craigslist all the time without problems (well .. except for the Disney Store Minnie costume I've been trying to sell for TEN dollars! I can't believe it hasn't sold yet!) But I hesitate to try to buy stuff after my last attempt.

In preparation for our WDW trip next week, I was looking for a jogging stroller. I looked for three weeks or so for a decent one for a decent price. I finally found one in the next town over for a VERY good price. Talked to the lady, she said "it's used, but in good, running condition". I dragged my 4yo DD with me to look at it. Got there and she wasn't even there! Called her cell, she went food shopping (like a previous poster's situation, SHE set up the time) so she had her 11 year old take me down to the basement, he wouldn't bring it up. When I got there, I found out why - it was DISGUSTING. "Good condition"? It was ripped, matted with mud all over, and the shade was broken. "Running condition"? All three tires were not only flat, but shredded. THANKS FOR NOTHING!

I ended up finding one at a consignment for $70 in next-to-new condition, so it worked out in the end.

 

[twanner]

When I post on Craigslist and start the process of fielding e-mails I always make sure the potential buyers know that it is first-come first-purchase. I will only set up "buyer appointments" for the same day--in other words, I won't hold an item for someone who says they'd like to come look at in in 2 or 3 days. I tell them, that if I still have the item by then, they are welcome to come and see it.

 

[DisneyDazed]

You never know the circumstances when it comes to craigslist. Sure the buyers may have to make special arrangements but what about the sellers? What about the arrangements they have to make to be there and have buyers cancel or never call period. You never know what they need that money for so if someone offers more... shoot ILl take it. The one thing that irritates me more on craigslist then no shows are those who right away try to bargain. Wanting something for nothing. Its irritating. IMO if its something you REALLY want and its a fair price.. then pay it. Being greedy and asking for less is that... just being greedy like the seller is deemed greedy for taking more. Also, I have come to find, those who try to bargain you down.. usually pick apart an item before they take it trying to get it even cheaper. SO as a seller... its a red flag for me. I doubt the furniture was in bad condition.. or else the neighbor wouldnt have paid full price. I sold a designer crib... very fair price.. but once the lady found out I took it apart and brought it to my garage.. well then she was no longer interested. That is weird. Plus I dont like people in my house if they dont need to be.

Craigslist is a crapshoot for both parties. I have no sympathy for sellers who are greedy with crazy prices just as I have no sympathy for buyers who are greedy and want to wheel and deal. A buyer asked to buy a hardly used scooter for 5.. it came with all protective gear etc... I said fine. WHen she saw it she started huffing how it has a teeny tiny scratch. I just took it from her and said it was no longer for sale. A guy was going to buy a dryer just 4 years new. 100 bucks. the deal was he had to be there when the delivery people for the new washer dryer removed it. I didnt want him in my house as he isnt insured and well.. a stranger. He got angry.. said it wasnt conveinant for him. Well.. make it work and have a nice dryer or have nothing. Needless to say he ignored my emails so I let the delivery people take it away for free. Maybe Im harsh but Im not a store.. take it or leave it is my motto.

 

[TxRabbit]

Can anyone offer a site that provides similiar services to Craig's list!

I live in a master planned community. Just a couple years ago, someone started a group for the community on Yahoo Groups. It's nice. Not only is it a great forum for getting info (like recommendations for services needed, i.e. anyone know a good roofer?), sharing info (beware of the red Pontiac G5 scoping the neighborhood, seriously, just sent today from our assigned police officer), and also for selling your stuff. I've been having a virtual garage sale myself, clearing out the clutter and trying to make a few bucks to get my son a Wii set up for Christmas.

I've noticed that lots of neighborhoods have started doing the same thing around here...

 

[shilomoon]

I recently became a seller this past summer on craigslist and it amazes me how dumb and greedy people are. In my ads it clearly states where i'm located and Maryland is NOT a big state. Yet i would have people make arrangements for pick up and then when I send them my address, they say its too far away, unbelieveable.

I think as a seller, i'm pretty reasonable and i even leave stuff on the front porch for folks to just put the money in the mailbox, haven't been ripped off yet

My mother goes completely overboard for Christmas so every year i'm left with many toys nevered opened. I'm continuing to sell these things on craigslist to save up money for our Disney trip in July.... it just amazes me how stupid people are.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

You really have to think about CL transactions as the same as garage sales. Imagine if you had a garage sale, and someone came up to you asking about an item, you set a price and then they wanted to come back for it in (insert any length of time here) BUT - they didn't want to give you any money to hold it.

As the seller, would you agree to that? Of course not, because you are trying to sell the item for the best price you can, as quickly as you can. First money takes it. And what if that person never came back and there you are holding their (insert item here) and three other people approached you that day about the item, but you didn't sell it because you gave your word to that person who yet would not give you a deposit to hold the item?

On CL, I've found that the first person to show up with the money (and closer to full price, the better) gets the item. As a seller, I state this in my listings "first $50 takes it". As a buyer, I know that if I'm calling on a hot item that I *REALLY* want, I better high-tail it over ASAP with cash in hand. Furthermore, I *never* haggle ahead of seeing the item, nor do I ask if their price is firm. If I note a flaw after I arrive, THEN I inquire about a discount on the price. If you try to haggle before even seeing the item, your seller is not going to bend over backwards to complete THAT sale, when someone else can still offer him full price.

I'm sorry that happened to you, but I do see his case too. It would be hard for me to turn down full price from my *neighbor*, at that. Much easier to have a stranger mad at me than my neighbor friend, whom I see every day.

 

[melancholywings]

He may have thought that after marking it down so much and the phone call that you'd be more hassle than his time was worth. The phone call could easily give the impression that you wanted to barter him down even more.

 

[Hannathy]

He may have thought that after marking it down so much and the phone call that you'd be more hassle than his time was worth. The phone call could easily give the impression that you wanted to barter him down even more.

And then your DH didn't even go straight over he stopped at a store. I'd be getting nervous also.

 

[Mom21]

Got there and she wasn't even there! Called her cell, she went food shopping (like a previous poster's situation, SHE set up the time) so she had her 11 year old take me down to the basement, he wouldn't bring it up. When I got there, I found out why - it was DISGUSTING. "Good condition"? It was ripped, matted with mud all over, and the shade was broken. "Running condition"? All three tires were not only flat, but shredded. THANKS FOR NOTHING!

Let me get this right. You took your 4yo to a stranger's house. The stranger allowed her 11yo to let you in without her there and take you and your child down to the basement? I think I'm a trusting invididual but I think both of you need to think.

 

[disykat]

I have purchased several musical instruments through Craig's list and think it's a great thing. I thought "nothing is firm until the sale is done" is just part of the deal with buying that way. I would not expect someone to give up a sale while waiting for me to show up, because I might not end up buying it. They don't know me - I might not even show up. I might be disappointed and I would certainly expect a phone call asap to let me know not to come, but other than that it's just the breaks.

We usually have to travel several hours to look at things so we always call before leaving to make sure it's still available and ask them to call us to cancel if it gets sold.

 

[Free4Life11]

Thing is, being a seller on Craigslist can be frustarating. So many buyers who reply flake out. I'm sure the phone call made him worried...your husband could have shown up and decided he didn't want the furniture. He gave you a voicemail instead of letting your husband show up and I think that is more than considerate. CL is not a store and there is no contract...first come first serve. Sellers are usually looking to get rid of stuff ASAP for the most $$$, so I don't really fauly him.

What always amazes me is the sellers who post such unprofessional ads without pictures! Or people who are selling a $1.00 book "MUST GET RID OF ASAP!" A book?? Really? LOL!

I've also learned that everyone always offers a lower price, so I automatically price things higher than I actually want.

 

[mousefan1972]

I both buy and sell using CL. I am one of the lucky ones who has not been scammed or blown off (yet, lol). This past Saturday I bought a used Maclaren Volo stroller for my daughter to use in Disney in December for $40. The seller lived about 40 minutes away, and I was willing to drive to her house but then she said she'd be in my area (10 minutes away), and did I want to meet her there instead?! Of course! The stroller is an '08 model and looked brand new. To say I am pleased is an understatement. I have also sold quite a bit of my kids' stuff, and I do the same as a PP: the first person who states a day and time that they can come will get it. (I sell things very reasonably and no one has ever not paid full asking price) I have yet to have a "no show" buyer. I always post at least one picture of what I am selling, and write "pet-free, smoke free home" in my listing. I also clean everything before I try to sell it. One of my pet peeves is when someone prices a used item too high, then says "Needs a good cleaning!" Especially something like a stroller or other baby gear. Yuck. Of course I would still clean it myself, but geez, just wipe it down quickly before you post it!

CL can be a great tool when it works the way it is meant to.

 

[hsmamato2]

I've never sold on CL,but given plenty away,and I've found plenty of flakes who take joy in trying to make you wait for them to come and get something,only to never show up. And this is for free stuff...... so.....It's too bad,but I learned to keep it simple and impersonal- first come first served,and I owe nothing to anyone. I've learned what emails I can ignore,and what flakey types write what kinds of things.

 

[TupperMom7]

And then your DH didn't even go straight over he stopped at a store. I'd be getting nervous also.

He was only in the store for five minutes and he had just talked to the man - when he got back in the van there was the voicemail saying he had sold it to the neighbor. I emailed the seller today asking him what exactly happened and why he sold it to his neighbor when he had just talked to my husband about buying it. He said that my husband told him he wanted to look at it first before bringing it outside in the rain. Makes sense to me - why stand in the rain letting the furniture get all wet?

He said my husband didn't sound too sure that he wanted it. He was on his way to the guys house, like 15 minutes away. When handing over almost $200, I would like to make sure that the item is what is advertised. And when I sent him an email asking if it was still available, he indicated that it was. So what happened to the neighbor? Anyway - I am sure there are honest people on Craigslist that sell items. We have sold many items on Craigslist, but not bought many. I'll keep trying though - just aggravated at this situation.

 

[disykat]

IF he had sold it for full price, no big deal. Not wanting someone to look at it before purchasing? Weird.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

For me, I have sold tons of stuff. If I bargain with someone, I tell them if someone else comes in higher I would take that over a haggled deal. If I do get another offer, I go back to the person I haggled with and say, "I just got an offer to buy the item for $20 more - if you can match it it is yours - otherwise I have to go with the higher offer".

 

[terri01p]

You know you could what if all day long, don't feel bad for offering less money I would have, nothing wrong with that, and if he sold it that quickly well good for him don't let it bother you just move on. some people have no respect for their word or for anyone else they are just plain jerks.

 

[plummer925]

The old adage "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" holds true here. If you were a seller and someone was offering you more money now rather than waiting for a buyer that may or may not show, what would you do? The fact is that many buyers simply do not show up, so if you're a seller you sell to the first person that has the money in hand.

Absolutely!!