More Craigslist masochism

[awreed]

Why do I keep doing this?

I replied to another CL post in the hopes of getting a chest freezer for MIL. Despite the many, many, many frustratingly failed forays into the world of anonymous online sales, I jumped in again expecting a different result.

Seller: come over any time.
(no street address in the ad and nothing in the text, just a city)

Me: Great, I'm heading to the bank now, then straight over. What is your address?
(I leave the house, sit in traffic, get cash from the bank, drive to sellers city, sit in McDonalds parking lot,.... waiting for a text reply. 10 minutes later I turn around)

Seller, 5 minutes after I turn around and head home: I live close to the Trader Joes, 98133. Street address will be provided later.

Me: you don't know your own address?

Seller: I want to make sure you're on your way before disclosing my address.

Me (to myself):


I had tried calling the seller several times while sitting in my van. No ringing, just dropped calls. He finally called me well after I had given up and was a few blocks from my house. Somehow making me wait in the Trader Joe's parking lot would prove to him that I was legit and not a CL flake, at which point he would give me a home address. This didn't make sense to me, and made me think I was being fucked with, which is why I turned around and went home.

Does this make sense to anyone?

[mukluk]

Sounds like a scam.
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[awreed]

[OB Bus]

Lately I have found that Facebook marketplace is carrying more and more listings. Seems to be especially popular amongst Hispanics.I still look at both if I am shopping and list in both if I am selling. So far I have not noted a big difference in the ratio of flakes between marketplace and craigslist.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[LAGrunthaner]

I remember reading this a while back, too bad this couple didn't bring their friends, Smith and Wesson with them. I do like the parking lot transaction idea which I've done many times.

https://www.cnn.com/2015/01/27/us/craigslist-georgia-slain-couple-charges/index.html
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org

[Abscate]

I’ve made big transactions at the police station. The timbre changes when every cop going by says “ hello Abscate”
_________________
.ssS!

[oprn]

[grandpa red]

Never had any issues giving my address out.
Guess Im not cautious as others.
_________________
'72 Beetle

[Zundfolge1432]

I’ve not had trouble buying things this way. It probably becomes more difficult as you get into major metro areas. I met one seller at a busy Mc Donald’s parking lot, met another at their home but I prefer the idea of neutral place. Biggest hassle is no shows. Give them about 2 chances and then block that number.

[CanStan]

I refuse to meet anyone anywhere if they are buying something from me. I've been a sucker too many times, left sitting in a parking lot and they never show up.
Last summer, I had an iPhone case listed for FREE just because it would have been a shame to throw it out. Someone actually asked if I could meet them 20 mins away from my house because they didn't drive. On a Saturday afternoon. In August. Was he high? I told him I would give him $2.25 for bus fare along with the free case, just because his balls were so big for asking. Of course, he was pissed off and I never heard back from him.

In fact, most of the time now, if whatever I'm selling is ~$50 or less, I tell the buyer the item will be in the cabinet outside my front door. Don't even knock. I may or may not be home. Just take the item and leave the cash. I've yet to be burned that way, and even if I did, those small transactions don't waste any of my time. Besides, usually selling stuff like that is more a matter of clearing out junk, rather than making money.

Sometimes I will get people to send an e-transfer as well. That way, I get paid instantly, they don't have to stop at the bank on the way over, and there's no more haggling on the price. If they don't like the item for some reason, they can leave it behind and I'll return the transfer. Easy for everyone.

If I'm trying to buy something and I get the "I'll send the address when you are close" type thing, I'll pull the pin on that deal instantly. I know exactly how it's going to turn out, and I've never needed to buy something bad enough to deal with that run-around.

I get some people feel scared to give out their address or info. They cover license plates with rags (or my favourite- the thumb sticking up between the camera and plate. But that was a whole different thread on The Samba). But those same people will take pictures of their car for sale where you can see the street sign or house number in the background. Or they put the postal / zip code (or sometimes even the full address!!!) in the ad listing. I'm not sure about zip codes, but with a postal code, you can usually narrow it down to a 1 or 2 block radius at most. So if I really plan to steal your precious toaster / lawn chair / floor mat, watch out. I'm taking it anyway.

[60ragtop]

[hitest]

FB marketplace has replaced CL almost completely here. If I can't quickly determine you are legit- it's done. Two days ago I bought a lantern on FB and drove to the guy's home to pick it up. He had covid protocols which I respected (his home, his 242b, etc.) He put the lantern in a basket out front waited through the glass door. I inspected the lantern, happily fanned out my money, placed it in the basket and had a great smile and thank you wave exchange with the seller.

The address is key to me. I've met folks in gas station parking lots- and I encourage that. Obviously men sell a lot of stuff using their wife's name on FB- not entirely sure why- but I've learned to keep my inquiries rather neutral.

With CL I'll drop out the second they hem n haw. I'm never the first caller- so you know they're perfecting their horseshit story long before I've got my wallet out.
_________________

[zozo]

I often give stuff away just to get it out of my way. It's unreal how many people message me to say they'll take it, and include their address as though I'm going to deliver it as well. Laughable.

[jspbtown]

I would say 80% of the inquiries I get from CL are scams.

Just sold a minibike to a nice guy. His first email to me wanted me to text him or email him at a hotmail email. Nope...I just responded through CL. After several emails I decided he was legit and I gave him my address.

I told him I was sorry for making him jump through hoops but he said no problem and went on to tell me about the scams he had to deal with on CL.

Sometimes it takes several emails before I am even remotely comfortable giving out my address, email, or phone number

[EverettB]

[60vwnewengland]

I’ve had some good success with CL lately. Had a whole pile of stuff for the first flea market in April, well plans had to change this year, so I’ve spent time during the lockdown listing all my items on CL. I’ve told the wife I’m having a virtual tag sale. I’ll also post my samba ads on CL for maximum coverage. Got a few leads on free parts that way. Folks will be like, I got a bumper, you want it?

I meet folks at the library/rec center down the street. Make them come to me. You want it, you come and get it. At the library, I put the item on the bench. They hand me cash. I walk home, put the cash in The cool down zone and wash my hands. Easy.

I’ve sold so far during the pandemic, Rain Barrel down spout diverter, roller skates, Nash skate board, Coleman stove, and vintage Coleman thermos. Active ads include: five ribs trans, thing distributor, new dryer vent, 70s nat geo maps, Pink Floyd the wall action figure set, Stetson size 7 cowboy hat, to include a few. I’ve line my pockets pretty well during this time.

For the folks who ask questions and say they want to buy. Shit or get off the pot. There’s 2 people behind you also looking at the Stetson cowboy hat bud. So come and get it, or it going to the next guy.
_________________
77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP

[awreed]

[Cusser]

About a decade ago, had listed our 220K 1994 Suburban on Craigslist for $1994 (so $1 per year).

Saturday morning I was rushin' to remove the Sony CD player and install an AM-FM stereo with bad cassette unit so I could install the Sony into a different truck. A woman from 30 miles away called, then called later saying she was on the way as I was finishing up, and never showed, never heard from her.

That afternoon, a guy called saying he was really $#%&$#@%&*&$#^&$ pi$$ed as he was looking at a Suburban 40 miles away because the owner had told him the interior was great, and he found that a dog had chewed it all up. So he and his son drove crosstown, he offered $1800 cash, said that's what he had. I told him there's an ATM, and he should get an additional $100 and I'd bring out the notarized title, and that happened, $1900.

I've never sold anything on Marketplace (did buy a used crossbed tool box there though), but agree that at best 50% of the responders on CL will actually show, and best to meet at a parking lot.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Erik G]