Craigslist...would you go with your gut feeling?

[disneybound2010]

Earlier today, I posted a few items on Craigslist. Nothing too big or fancy,just some stuff I wanted out of here. I got a hit about one of the items and quickly replied. The person asked me to meet them. OK, no problem. Then, thigns start getting a bit odd. They tell me why they are getting the item...which is exactly why I had to get rid of it. I tell them it wasn't good for that use and they quickly change what they said. Now, they keep repeating whatever I say like they are trying to impress me. I asked when and where they want to meet and it HAS TO BE tomorrow at 10am and they are going to be in a big gold van. They asked for my phone number and I told them I don't have a cell phone. They got a bit pushy with that saying some other person was giving their number to them. The whole thing is just getting odd and starting to raise a few flags. Maybe I am just being paranoid and have seen one too many horror flicks. WWYD? Would you go with your gut that this is sketchy or would you go ahead and meet up?

 

[CathrynRose]

If they're weird, why would you not trust your gut?

I'd trust it.

 

[disneybound2010]

I'm one of those people that always second guesses themselves and then I figure I am always making too much out of nothing. I tend to overthink my overthinking I guess.

I guess I just want to know that I am not being paranoid in thinking that it felt "off." I had DH read the emails and then the chat and he didn't like the sound of it. He said,"Rather you be paranoid and have it be nothing than to end up on Nancy Grace"

 

[Pumbaa_]

meet them in the parking lot at the police station...

i would actually just walk away and block their email, too weird for words

 

[disneybound2010]

meet them in the parking lot at the police station...

i would actually just walk away and block their email, too weird for words

I think this may be a good idea now...just got another "odd" email.

I hate disappointing people or coming off as mean...I'm a total sucker. I always give people the benefit of the doubt so it's odd for me to actually say "WEIRDO" and back off.

 

[hereyago]

You know, even though we are humans, we are animals as well. But this author Gavin De Becker said ,we are the only animal that would get into an elevator or the like with someone even if we got a bad feeling. we have instincts for a reason.

 

[RadioNate]

ALWAYS trust your gut. ALWAYS

 

[DelitefulDory]

I could be just a jerk yanking your chain, not even intending on buying whatever you listed. But I would listen to my gut on this. There are other people out there you can sell it to.

 

[laura-k]

Trust your feeling remember this from school ?
"The fight or flight response" is our body's primitive, automatic, inborn response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from perceived attack, harm or threat to our survival.

 

[nancygirl1]

I would trust your instincts on this one. There are a lot more people out there that you can sell to. I would send then an email and tell them that you just sold it to someone else or that it is no longer for sale...apologize and then block their email.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, I don't see asking for a phone number as weird. I always give my cell phone and get the other person's number as well, in case something comes up, or we can't locate each other.

As far as the other stuff, if it feels weird, just say its no longer for sale. Of course, if you list it again, you will get more emails if you don't block their address.

I got a weird one once. I bought a Disney Around the Tree train set at Goodwill, got it home and it didn't work. They don't take returns, so I decided to give it away on CL so that someone could use it as a display. Some lady emailed and said her autistic daughter wanted it, because she loved Goofy. I reiterated that the train did not work, and told her I had seen the same train at KMart for $10 clearance a few days before. Then she went off about how I said it was free, but now I was trying to make her pay $10 and how I was going to ruin an autistic child's dream, etc, etc. I never said she couldn't have the free one; I was just giving her a better alternative since she lived an hour away from me. I had to end up blocking her email because she was a loony.

 

[CathrynRose]

Here - copy and paste this into a reply email:

"Thank you for your interest, but someone has purchased and picked (the item) up, tonight"



You could add weirdo, or freak to the end of it, if you'd like.

 

[disneybound2010]

Here - copy and paste this into a reply email:

"Thank you for your interest, but someone has purchased and picked (the item) up, tonight"



You could add weirdo, or freak to the end of it, if you'd like.

I am going to go on my instinct. Something just really feels wrong with this person. I've made a few sales today and nothing has sent up flags like this one. On the surface and from the way I have described it,NO, it doesn't sound bad, but I just can't put my finger on it.

Thanks for all the advice. I won't be meeting them tomorrow...the item is "sold!"

 

[Abbie]

I hate disappointing people or coming off as mean...I'm a total sucker. I always give people the benefit of the doubt so it's odd for me to actually say "WEIRDO" and back off.

That's because we tend to think people are the same as we are....you're a trusting and honest person who wouldn't harm a fly (I'm just guessing ) so it's hard to realize that there are plenty of people out there who are not quite the same.

I'm glad you are backing off this one. So he doesn't get the item, big deal, he'll get over it!

 

[dislaney]

Go with your instincts that's why we have them.

 

[Eagle-]

I would just say,
"I'm sorry, but I do not wish to do business with you. Thank you for your interest"

IF not they will just bother you again.

or

"i'm sorry but I have other business planned for 10 am tomorrow, I'll let you know when and where I can meet you if the item remains unsold." then just ignore their emails. when/if you repost.


I ask the seller where they would feel comfortable meeting and when, As a buyer I don;t get to set the place, though we both have to find a mutual time. Sometimes I have met folks at 2 am, they bring someone and we bring someone, and it looks like some kind of Hollywood drug deal, funny ish.

 

[SandrA9810]

I usually wait a good 12-24hrs before I start replying to craiglist ads. Usually because people are trying to lowball offers, or want weird demands like dropping it off.

So I go through the emails and pick the ones that just seem right. Send them a reply on where to pick the item up (area, not exact address), that it's for cash only, and my cell. The first person that calls me for the exact address, is the one that gets it.

One time, the first person to send an email was the person that called me a week after I sold the item...

 

[golfgal]

There was a woman in our state that was murdered responding to a Craigslist ad. Trust your instincts.

 

[ericamanda01]

Always listen to your gut. If it makes you feel better, email them and say the item was broken or it was stolen from your car. Trust your instincts.