I hate trying to sell shit, especially when it needs to be a local sale!

I’m trying to sell an older laptop, and it’s just not worth dealing with the cost and hassle of shipping it, so figured I’d sell it locally on Craigslist. I put plenty of warnings in my ad to hopefully ward off scammers and low-ballers, such as cash only, face to face only, and only 2 acceptable locations to meet that have been deemed safe. No scammers so far, but the one person showing true interest in it finally sets up a meeting to check it out.... then doesn’t show up!!!

No wonder I end up losing money and just sell shit locally at the pawn shop when I don’t want to deal with shipping hassles! Nobody ever wants to pay shipping costs, and it’s getting higher and higher by the day, especially if you pack well and insure properly!!!

Look on the bright side- since he didn’t show up, you didn’t get raped and murdered.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flesheatingvirus,

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Look on the bright side- since he didn’t show up, you didn’t get raped and murdered.

I recently dealt with Craigslist for the first time in years. At that site, one seller showed his location as a "reasonable" part of St.Louis. Communications with him led to a much less desirable area, a warehouse district in the middle of ghetto N. St. Louis. He wouldn't go to a public location I suggested. Google street view reminded me of this. With a few hundred dollars cash in pocket, I too walked away --




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ozLROB32K0

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
I’m trying to sell an older laptop...

No opinion either way, but be sure to scrub or remove the hard drive to keep your personal info personal.

A lot probably depends on where you live. I have sold a number of things on CL in Montana and never once had a no-show. Deal was made ahead of time and buyer was there with cash in hand.
Mike

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:

A lot probably depends on where you live. I have sold a number of things on CL in Montana and never once had a no-show.

Probably, all the flakes who used to live in Montana have moved to Florida.

Had a good CL experience the other day, offsets some poor ones.

I had something for sale and it worked out that I was going very near the buyer. We met up and he immediately asks me if I was going to a local gun show and we chatted a bit about guns. I had mentioned ammo in my ad and he was glad to meet another gun guy.

Craigslist no-shows are common. Generally, people are idiots.

My typical game plan is to never wait for a Craigslist person when I am a seller. I specify the location as a public place closest either to my work or my home. I tell them to text me when they are actually on their way, and to text me when they get there. I then tell them that I'll be there in 5 minutes.

We used to do Craigslist but since the wife does farcebook, we've been using Marketplace instead. It seems to be a much more positive experience.

I've also had it happen, not only with craigslist but also with defunct backpage. I'd agree to meet someone several miles away and they'd be a no show.

I finally worded my ads to reflect I will not travel beyond a certain distance and I will only meet at a specific location. If the buyer refuses, so be it.

Gazelle. Works like a dream.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:

Gazelle. Works like a dream.

Question for you: Have you used swappa? If so, how do swappa and gazelle compare (I would be a buyer, not a seller)?

I'm probably going to replace my iPhone sooner or later and I shudder at Apple's prices.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Craigslist no-shows are common. Generally, people are idiots.

My typical game plan is to never wait for a Craigslist person when I am a seller. I specify the location as a public place closest either to my work or my home. I tell them to text me when they are actually on their way, and to text me when they get there. I then tell them that I'll be there in 5 minutes.

I use CL often, and this is good SOP. If you honestly have a good deal on something, then a buyer will go out of his way to hold up his end of the deal.

The 'free' section is a different story, b/c often ppl will respond and request stuff just b/c it's free, then flake out.

I haven't tried yet, but ppl I know have good things to say about OfferUp and LetGo. Sometimes NextDoor works well for selling or giving away. The benefit of NextDoor is that people responding live near you and are much less likely to flake out.

Luckily, I haven't dealt with no-shows yet on CL, but I'm sure it's coming someday.

What boggles my mind is the almost endless "Is it still available" emails, then no response if you respond. Multiple emails a day, whether CL or FB. Kills me.

I haven't dealt with CL for over 10 years. I use to use it all the time - never had any issues. But, I just think I was extremely fortunate!

quote:

Originally posted by xanth:
What boggles my mind is the almost endless "Is it still available" emails, then no response if you respond. Multiple emails a day, whether CL or FB. Kills me.

If they ask about it or your item, it's almost always a scammer trying to collect your email address to sell to spammers. If you can't bother to mention something pertaining to what I'm selling, you're either a scammer or someone not worth dealing with.

At least the second person who contacted me later that day showed up right away as promised and had cash in hand to purchase. Barely looked at the computer other than making sure it booted properly into Windows, and had the appropriate programs installed as promised. He was buying it for his mother who's computer had failed, and this one was easily capable of handling what little she would do with it... mostly e-mail, internet, basic MS Word, etc.

He had no issue with my demanding to meet in only two possible locations for safety, and was actually in favor of that as he chose the most secure... front lobby of the local police station (a designated Craigslist meeting spot in our small city). His transaction is the way I wish they would all go, but rarely do they! I do feel that I cut down / eliminated scammers by stating a number of things were non-negotiable, NO shipping, face-to-face ONLY, CASH only, and there would be "no exceptions so don't even bother asking or your request will be ignored"! This is the FIRST time I got zero potential scam contacts from CL, so will use this tactic again next time I post there.

Cheers,