Is craigslist a total waste of time?

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Originally Posted by hip55

I love Craigslist.

It's free, everyone uses it and I have complete control over my ads.

I also understand that there are many flakes that you have to deal with.

I sold a car last month in 5 hours.

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The car I sold about a year ago took a little longer. It took 9 hours from the time I put the ad up to the time the car went away on a trailer. But that included the time the guy took to drive to my place from Omaha to get it.

I also sold a nearly new riding mower last year. It only had about 5 hours on it and I had it listed for more than $600 below the price of a new one. Had a guy drive a Chevy Suburban with a trailer 100 miles (one-way) to look at it only to finally decide it wasn't described properly and wanted me to drop the price by one or two hundred dollars. I wouldn't do it so he drove all the way home with an empty trailer. Hell, he probably spent almost that much money in gas with that rig. I relisted it the next week at a price $100 higher than my original, and sold it to someone else in a day or two (at my original asking price).

Most of my headaches with CL is the emails I get from the scammers. I usually just reply with a picture of a naked girl, asking if he's seen my wife. Generally, that's answered with bad words. But it's still great fun.

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Originally Posted by Tweety Bird

I also sold a nearly new riding mower last year. It only had about 5 hours on it and I had it listed for more than $600 below the price of a new one. Had a guy drive a Chevy Suburban with a trailer 100 miles (one-way) to look at it only to finally decide it wasn't described properly and wanted me to drop the price by one or two hundred dollars. I wouldn't do it so he drove all the way home with an empty trailer. Hell, he probably spent almost that much money in gas with that rig. I relisted it the next week at a price $100 higher than my original, and sold it to someone else in a day or two (at my original asking price).
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I have had this happen to me multiple times, with two different machines, I sent them very detailed pictures, and then they show up to haggl, I think its one of the unwritten craigslist tactics. In both cases I wouldn't budge, one guy took it and the other walked.

I always post in my ads-

- CASH ONLY
- NO LOWBALLERS
- FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - I WILL NOT HOLD IT FOR YOU

I love it, just picked up 10 PMAGS new in the bags at a great price. Last month and the month before I picked up ACOGS for very good prices. Got the wife the exact table she wanted for 1/2 price and when I sell I generally get what I want.

Lot's of flakes but that is part of the fun, got to look at it as a game, and win it! It is how I fund my shooting problem.

[Beer]

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Originally Posted by Colorado Luckydog

I've bought some good stuff off of Craigslist. I have sold some stuff on Craigslist. I haven't had any problems but I watch the people that I buy or sell to very close and I'm always packing. I guess I have just been lucky.

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I agree with all except that I have had so many flakes it isn't funny. They say they will show up and never do so I sit around waiting for nothing. Not even the common courtesy of a phone call. Or they text message me about the ad. REALLY? are people that antisocial they can't pick up and dial a phone number and talk to a person about something being bought/sold? And I always am packing. Too many weirdos.

I too like the list. My worst experience on there was trying to give a FREE X-mas tree away. I had a lot of people call and were coming over to get it but i ended up putting in the trash. The reading comprehension of some of these people, over half backed out after finding out that the Free Real tree was in fact real.

That one and my ad for a cat. The rules allowed for a small adoption fee but not selling. My wife wanted to ensure it went to a good home, but the flagits kept taking it down.

Other than that i've sold a car, bought a car, school books, and numerous other stuff without a problem.

However comma. Scammer are rampant and annoying, and I always meet packing. (that sounds dirty)

Plus who doesn't love the rant and raves or missed connections. the personals are the best.

Use it from time to time. Most transactions have been good, a couple of flakes.

I have had success in selling to vehicles. I have picked up some tips from reading this post - thanks.

put specifics in the ad when they email you, and it will hopefully filter out some spam.

cash only, and never accept a check of any kind.

I've sold a lot of items on CL from camera equipment, to cars.

My favorite was when I was trying to give away a good condition mattress that appeared to be worth at least >$50, so many parties that would arrange to meet, then never show up or call back.

Some good clean deals first time through, lots of no shows like everyone says. But sometimes still much better than dealing with the hassles of ebay and non face to face encounters.

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Originally Posted by esaabye

I love it, just picked up 10 PMAGS new in the bags at a great price. Last month and the month before I picked up ACOGS for very good prices. Got the wife the exact table she wanted for 1/2 price and when I sell I generally get what I want.

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And passing along those savings flipping acog and mags for ~retail here?