Selling on Craigslist

shella923 · January 2014

So I've never done this before, but the closest consignment shop to me is 30 min away. I've bought off craigslist once and it was fine. I got an email where the person (Indian name, English not written well) says she's interested in buying my jumperoo. She gives me her number and asks for my number and address. I wrote back that I would meet at a local supermarket. It just seemed weird but might just be the language barrier. Now I'm ready to just give this damn thing away so I can get it out of my apt! Thoughts?!

Hummingbirdbaby3 · January 2014

Weird and dangerous. If the person won't meet in public then forget it. And have someone with you. Personally I will never sell anything that way. I'm overly cautious I guess.

shella923 · January 2014

@hummingbirdbaby3 My gut is telling me not to now!! F it! Not worth it at all.

persephonerose · January 2014

I have bought a lot of different things off of Craigslist. If we meet in public or go by their house for pick up really depends on the type of response I get from the person. If it includes their First/last name and a phone number I generally feel more comfortable going to pick up at a house, but always take someone with me.

I agree if they wont meet in public then look for another buyer.

shella923 · January 2014

I guess I was weirded out that she asked for my address and phone number. I assumed everyone knew you don't meet at someone's house, right? Waiting to hear response back about meeting at the supermarket. I had another potential buyer not respond the other day after I said about meeting at the supermarket...she wanted to come here.

shella923 · January 2014

katiemay8979 said:
we use Craigslist a lot. I bought my DD1 an iPod off Craigslist for Christmas. never go alone, always meet in public. I would never give out my full name, address or phone number. in fact, I have an email address set up that I use only for Craigslist. my name shows up as Katy Perry not Katie **** LOL it can be a great way to buy or sell things but it can be dangerous if you're not smart about it. a friend of a friend lost her husband who was trying to meet up with someone off Craigslist for an iPad and was killed i would just trust your gut in the end.

Dear Lord!! She emailed me back but forget it!! Thanks for responding.

shella923 · January 2014

@uconnhuskie007 what is that? Don't really do much on FB.

shella923 · January 2014

Thank u!!!

ExcitedMum2B · January 2014

beane4018 said:

shella923 said:

I guess I was weirded out that she asked for my address and phone number. I assumed everyone knew you don't meet at someone's house, right? Waiting to hear response back about meeting at the supermarket. I had another potential buyer not respond the other day after I said about meeting at the supermarket...she wanted to come here.

Yeah, asking for address right off the bat is a little weird. But maybe it was a language thing and she meant general location (like what side of town are you on or something). Anyway yeah only do what you're comfortable doing.

I've had a lot of requests for my phone number, usually under the "so I can let you know if something comes up or I'm running late" I always say don't worry about it, or give me your number. No one has had a problem with that. I have had a few address requests, I always respond I can meet you in this parking lot (a church near our house). I think there are a LOT of people who aren't shady and don't get the danger of letting strangers into your house. The lady I got our gates from had no problem letting me into her house while she ran upstairs and all around looking for the parts. I thought that was odd, but she didn't. Same with the person I bought our glider from. And our crib. They had it in their kid's room, we walked through their entire house, which felt very odd to me. Some people just don't want to drag something bulky to a public location and wait around for someone to maybe show up. I am someone who would rather do that than let someone come in my house. But I lived in NYC too long to be trusting of strangers.

fusionbride · January 2014

well, I have done plenty of Craigslist sales and purchases at my and other peoples' homes without sketchiness or incident. I would not automatically assume that everyone meets at public places for Craiglist sales. So, asking for phone and address is not a red flag in my book. if you don't want to give out that information, than don't give it. Now, if you suggest a public location and they refuse to meet you there, then THAT is a red flag and just don't sell them your item/correspond with them.

But the fact that they have an "Indian name" means absolutely nothing, and honestly comes off as a little racist/prejudiced.

But if you aren't comfortable selling through Craigslist, then don't do it.

shella923 · January 2014

I didn't explain that I learned in the past (years ago my sister almost fell
For a scam apt rental listing) that many scams are written by someone for whom English is a second language. That's all! No racism here my friend. But anyway katiemay's murder story scared me off.

maven212 · January 2014

katiemay8979 said:

we use Craigslist a lot. I bought my DD1 an iPod off Craigslist for Christmas. never go alone, always meet in public. I would never give out my full name, address or phone number. in fact, I have an email address set up that I use only for Craigslist. my name shows up as Katy Perry not Katie **** LOL it can be a great way to buy or sell things but it can be dangerous if you're not smart about it. a friend of a friend lost her husband who was trying to meet up with someone off Craigslist for an iPad and was killed i would just trust your gut in the end.

@katiemay8979 That was recently, right? I saw a snippet about a case like that before Christmas. A military man with a young family. Very sad.

@sheila923 I've bought and sold off of Craigslist many times. I basically follow 3 rules 1) I never go to a pick up location alone 2) I never sell to an international buyer 3) I make get as much information about a buyer as possible and forward the emails to my husband so that they are copied somewhere.

Craigslist actually has a set of guidelines/advice for sellers and buyers so they can avoid fraud and harm. It's worth checking out.

I've had a number of buyers in my apartment to pick up large items and haven't thought anything of it - mainly because I have very little to steal and I've never been alone. I've actually met a few people through selling who I've helped with grad school apps and job searches. By and large, I've had a really positive experience. The number one problem I've faced with craigslist is getting stood up by the buyer.

One time I bought a couch that had bed bugs from a person moving to China. We realized the problem about a week after purchase and wrapped the couch up in plastic. I then emailed the seller (who had moved by that point) and said "hey, buyer beware and all, but your couch was seriously infested. Even though I checked it before we bought it, I couldn't tell. I'm telling you because you have a young kid who slept in a crib beside the couch. Here's a pic of bed bugs and a link to a page on extermination. Good luck getting them out of your things in storage". She apologized and sent me a cheque refunding the money. I sent her the email of an entomologist. We corresponded a bit after that - so even my bed bug experience was positive.

That said, if the buyer's response gives you the willies then don't meet them. It's a high demand item. There are plenty of people who will respond to an ad for it. Sell when you are comfortable.

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