my easiest craigslist sell ever

[pinkytoe]

I am slowly getting rid of things we no longer use via craigslist. I had an old tilt top table that had seen better days that I listed for $50. A man called to ask if I would hold it for him. Sure since I hadn't had any bites yet. Turned out to be an older man in a very expensive red Mercedes. Handed me $60 and said he was paying me xtra for holding it. Watched him raise the electronic convertible top so he could place in the back seat. I wish they were all this easy...and with a tip, too.

[Tussiemussies]

That was a great easy sale, it Must hold some meaning for this man to be so anxious to get it. I have some things to sell but a little leery of using CL. Have you been using it for awhile? Have you had any issues with it? Thanks...chris

[pinkytoe]

I have never had any issues other than a few people setting appointments and then not showing up. I make it a point to always have dh here if it is something in the house or I take it outside to show. Have also met people offsite if I didn't want to give my address.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks pinkytoe...

[Simplemind]

I have been working on reigning in my parents estate for the past five years. We use Craig's list for bigger items and have never had a problem with it. There are a few scammers but they are obvious and we never call them back.

[Float On]

I've used it a lot and had great results. Unless the item is huge, I tend to have people meet me at a very public place like Target's parking lot. it's a very popular place for craigslist deals because I "see them going down" all the time there....more so than drug sales. ;)

I never list my phone number on the ad. That opens you up to some of the scams. I verify through email before I agree to talk on the phone to anyone. I've never had a no-show.
I've sold a sofa set, dressers, accent tables, a bulk sale of clothes, ladder, dining table/chairs, chicken coop, a pile of concrete blocks, music instruments, and a car.

[pinkytoe]

I forgot...I too sold my car a few months ago. Surprisingly easy sell.

[kib]

We've mostly used it for smaller stuff, not really worrying about protecting anything, this house and neighborhood isn't going to make anyone think 'wow I should come back and rob them', lol. DH does most of the selling, and where I think he gets in trouble is being a little too nice. One person will call and say oh, can you hold that for a couple of days, and then he loses out when someone else calls and gets turned away, and then the first person never shows. If it were me I'd say it's first come first served unless it was a matter of a couple of hours.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks Float On, pinky, Kib and simplemind, glad to hear from all of to that you have had no problems. I had though of going to a major parking lot since we live a semi-secluded area that has absolutely no lamp lights for the night hours. We have some nice things to sell...I think I will list them tomorrow! Chris

[sweetana3]

When I made my first CL buy, we met at a Starbucks. It worked out great and we became good friends. Starbucks (or similiar) is nice if one or both are early/late.

[lmerullo]

I've only bought from CL. However, our local police departments have several parking places and their lobby open to these types of sales. I think this is a very good idea for any municipality to enact. The only added expense for the city was some paint to color in the spaces - they are highlighted as online sales spots and directly in the camera view, all clearly marked.

After I bought a girls bicycle from a lady at her home, I realized how this type of transaction can go south. She invited me in through the front door clear through the house to the garage. If I was a bad guy, she would have been easy prey. Thankfully I am not a bad guy! But some people just don't think of the risk.

[Mary B.]

The Vancouver, BC police department just announced that people are welcome to use the lobby of the central police station for CraigsList and similar transactions. They announced this as part of a response to fraudulent concert tickets.

[sweetana3]

I really like what those police offices did.

[beckyliz]

The police in our town are also opening space up for Craigslist (or whatever type) sales.

[Float On]

Had to laugh yesterday. Had a craigslist sale going down in the Target parking lot....there were two other sales happening at the same time. Its a popular spot. Got rid of a photobooth and lights set up.

[Packy]

The News Media reports all incidents involving craigslist, as part of the campaign of fearmongering. I've bought two bikes and car parts from sellers at their homes late at night. I have had sellers arrange to meet me in an easy-to-find spot, a business parking lot, mainly to reduce logistical problems. Finding people can get tricky, around here. So, it isn't really a problem. But, there are times when I might take precautions, but nothing extraordinary. It hasn't gotten that bad, yet.

[Teacher Terry]

I take the item outside before the people come if possible. Never had a problem but they can hear all the dogs barking inside. I did sell my car late at night but since my hubby was out of town I had my son come over. The woman wanted to drive it so I told her I would get my son to do it. That scared her so she came with a man too in case we were weirdos. We laughed about it later.

[corkym]

We have had good luck with craigslist in the past too. We usually would meet in the Target parking lot (same as you Float On :) or in the food court in a close by mall. If the item was too large we would meet at our house, but except for two times we always would do it during daylight and meet them in the driveway or if it had to be in the house due to the size of the item we made sure the door and all windows stayed open and if at night we kept all the lights on also with the doors and windows open. We tried to create a public appearance to the neighborhood. We have sold quite a few items through craigslist. The only negative things we have encountered are people not showing up or scam replies to the posting. Now we have the person call us right before they come to meet us to make sure they show up, we tell them if we don't get the call we won't be meeting them.