This is an interesting Craigslist problem.....

[LisaR]

I had a piece of furniture for sale on Craigslist. A lady came by, paid me the full price but it wouldn't fit in her vehicle. She said she would send her son by the next day. He never came. I waited and waited. Finally, I emailed her and she set up another time for someone else to come. That person was also a no-show. One more try and another no-show. I emailed her 3 days ago and told her I would really like to get this out of my garage. I haven't heard back from her. She gave me $50 for this item 2 weeks ago! I just can't imagine paying a total stranger for something and not picking it up. She is very trusting. If I wasn't a nice person, I could have sold it again by now. Don't worry, I would never do that. But really, how long should I let this continue before I tell her to come and pick up her money and re-list it? It ticks me off because I turned down at least 6 people that same day she paid for it, telling them it was sold. I have since pulled the ad on Craigslist.

 

[Tracy Savage]

Well I guess I'd let her know you need it out by this date or you will relist. Or charge her a storage fee. Weird.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I had a piece of furniture for sale on Craigslist. A lady came by, paid me the full price but it wouldn't fit in her vehicle. She said she would send her son by the next day. He never came. I waited and waited. Finally, I emailed her and she set up another time for someone else to come. That person was also a no-show. One more try and another no-show. I emailed her 3 days ago and told her I would really like to get this out of my garage. I haven't heard back from her. She gave me $50 for this item 2 weeks ago! I just can't imagine paying a total stranger for something and not picking it up. She is very trusting. If I wasn't a nice person, I could have sold it again by now. Don't worry, I would never do that. But really, how long should I let this continue before I tell her to come and pick up her money and re-list it? It ticks me off because I turned down at least 6 people that same day she paid for it, telling them it was sold. I have since pulled the ad on Craigslist.

I would put up the ad, sell it again, and give her back her money when she contacts you. Email her what you plan on doing. If she shows up first she can have it.

 

[golfgal]

I would email her and tell her that if it isn't picked up by noon on Friday you will relist it and keep her $50 as a restocking charge.

 

[Silent1CB]

My dad sold a large item at a yardsale. Person paid by check. My dad kept a copy of the check before depositing it. Person never came back to pick up the item, and my dad hasn't been able to make contact with the guy by phone or mail.

Must be nice to buy stuff and forget about it.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I would tell het that you are going to put it out on the curb for anyone to pick up for free if she doesn't pick it up by XXX date. You have already been paid for it, but you don't have to store it for her, and you don't have to re-list it and hope for another buyer.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

that is interesting. Did you check that that $50 was real cash? Id be afraid it was counterfiet. or something.. of course since hubby had a terrible experience with faud and craigslist. I automatically find it suspect.

 

[LisaR]

that is interesting. Did you check that that $50 was real cash? Id be afraid it was counterfiet. or something.. of course since hubby had a terrible experience with faud and craigslist. I automatically find it suspect.

I already spent it so I am assuming it was legit cash.

I sent her an email and told her she has until Sunday to pick it up or I was going to re-list it. I also told her I would hang onto her money until Sunday. We shall see what happens. It just seems so strange to me that she would pay me and never get the thing.

 

[ferrytale]

This happened to my mom - she had some large piece of equipment, I forget what it was but it wasn't something small. Guy came, paid for it I think it was $50-$75 range, and said he would be back later to get it b/c it didn't fit in his car. He never came back, and didn't leave a number or email address. She hung on to it for a few months, then I think she gave it away. She felt guilty but she really needed the room and didn't know what else to do with it.
People are strange.

 

[LisaR]

UPDATE:
She called me!! In between her excuses and her God awful smokers cough, she said she really wants this and plans on picking it up........soon.
She still couldn't come up with a day or time. I told her it needs to be gone by Sunday. Who would have thought I would have trouble with a customer that has already paid?

 

[momrek06]

UPDATE:
She called me!! In between her excuses and her God awful smokers cough, she said she really wants this and plans on picking it up........soon.
She still couldn't come up with a day or time. I told her it needs to be gone by Sunday. Who would have thought I would have trouble with a customer that has already paid?

Would you or a family member be able to drop it off for her?

 

[Feralpeg]

Since I watched a piece about Craigslist on the news, I'd be afraid to have total strangers come to my home.

A family advertised on Craigslist and were robbed at gunpoint. The man of the house was shot to death. They said this was not an isolated incident. Scary.

 

[Rora]

Would you or a family member be able to drop it off for her?

This is certainly an idea although it shouldn't be your job to do it. But, if you really want it gone, I'd offer to deliever it...

This whole situation is very odd..

 

[foolishmortal]

Since I watched a piece about Craigslist on the news, I'd be afraid to have total strangers come to my home.

A family advertised on Craigslist and were robbed at gunpoint. The man of the house was shot to death. They said this was not an isolated incident. Scary.

not that it cant happen, doesnt happen and isnt scary, this is why I hate the news!

this can happen with an ad in a local paper, this can happen with a next door neighbor, why do they have to "warn" you about craigslist? I am on craigslists daily, and have actually bought and sold numerous times and outside of the no shows to buy never had problems.

 

[momrek06]

Since I watched a piece about Craigslist on the news, I'd be afraid to have total strangers come to my home.

A family advertised on Craigslist and were robbed at gunpoint. The man of the house was shot to death. They said this was not an isolated incident. Scary.

Peg!
Ugh ... I just saw that story on the TODAY show this week. How awful. Although, I will say they were selling a $2,000.00 diamond ring. I think misc furniture deals with prices on the low side should not be a problem.

I sold the entire contents of my Boston home last August. I had craigslist ads, local paper ads and signs posted all over town. Never a problem at all.

 

[LilyWDW]

not that it cant happen, doesnt happen and isnt scary, this is why I hate the news!

this can happen with an ad in a local paper, this can happen with a next door neighbor, why do they have to "warn" you about craigslist? I am on craigslists daily, and have actually bought and sold numerous times and outside of the no shows to buy never had problems.

AGREED!

It's just like vehicle accidents at Disney. Media outlets grab on to the name and make it seem like this is the only way these things happen. It's no longer about the crime or accident, it's about Craigslist or Disney.

Yes, it was a horrible crime and that family will be forever scarred, but it could as easily happened if they had put the ad in the paper. Yet people grab on to the fact it happened on Craigslist and suddenly Craigslist is a horrible thing.

Hopefully something will come from this crime though. People will take a lesson from it and take extra precautions when meeting with strangers to exchange items and/or money. Go to a public place, don't invite unknown people to your home, ect ect.