Craigslist horror stories?

A friend of mine was telling me about all of the horrible experiences he has had trying to deal with people from Craigslist. I have bought and sold several bikes and cars through CL and always had perfectly pleasant transactions. Am I just lucky? Have you all had bad luck with CL?

 

I'm not in the US, but we have "blocket" here in Sweden..
I called on a 1988 VW Caddy MK1, not to rusted and a good price. The only thing was it was about 300 km away, well we agreed on the price, this was on a Monday and I said I would come pick it up at Wednesday cause I had to book train tickets etc.

Had to leave quite early to catch the train (about 4 am) to get there around 11am. There was some delays etc when I was close, so I thought I phone the guy to tell him that I would probably be like 15-20 min late do to the delays. (Meanwhile I was like 10km away from where he lived). Called him and what he told me was, "Na I sold it yesterday evening" .. I said WTF!! You're kidding me?! - "No you didn't call me so I figured you didn't want it" .. I told him back "But what the hell We agreed that I would come pick it up today, we had an agreement!" and all he could say was "sorry, you didn't call" ..
Luckily enough for him (or his ear that is) I was seated on a crowded buss and didn't want to make a scene so I acted more calm then I was..

So what to do.. just accept your loss for the time and cash for the train ticket(s) (which I only bought one way of course.. So First thing of the buss was to go and buy a new ticket home.)

 

The biggest problem I had was people calling me, saying "I'm on the way with cash." Then me, trying to be fair, would say "ok, I'll hold it for you."

Then they never show up.

After about the fourth no-show, I quit being a nice guy. "First guy that actually shows up with cash gets it."

 

Come to think of it, I did have one that was a bust; I answered an ad from a kid in Santa Monica who said he was leaving for the army the next morning and HAD to sell his Virago. After asking him all of the pertinent questions, like "do you have the title?" I drove the 30-some miles through rush hour traffic to meet up with him. He had the title all right, but every section on it was covered up with White-Out. That's not suspicious at all, is it?

 

I've never had a problem with CL.... I agree to a time and place to meet, they have my cell, I have theirs, and I tell them simply that if I don't show up at the agreed-upon time, I've forfeited my opportunity. I alsotell them that I will call when I am on the way, and if there's any hold-up, etc.... that would delay me a few minutes, but that way they know I AM on the way and exactly where I am.

I also take any description with a bit of skepticism so that I'm not rudely suprised by someone else's interpretation of "it's,like, almost like new, dude.....". If I find the item in better condition, that's awesome.

Example: I went to look at a oscillating spindle sander that was "barely used, like new condition" I got there, and it was pretty covered in sanding powder, grease, and a chunk of laminate out of the edging. Hm....... "Could you plug it in for me so I can see it work?" 'Sure, no problem." (plugs it in and turns it on) Withink 10 seconds the oscillating belt broke and the spindle dropped.

"Uh, I don't think I'm interested....."

""I didn't think that would happen....uh, you could probably fix it pretty cheap".

""not interested, I'll buy a new one".

"Well, I'll give you a better price, I can't sell it like this"(THAT made me laugh....think that statement through a few times--- LOL)

"No thanks"

"Ok, I'll just give it to you then"

"ok".

So now I have a free Craftsman oscillating spindle sander that I got for free except for the cost of a replacement belt.

I love CL. BTW, CL ads are what put a 650 seca into my hands.

Dave F

 

There was that one bike...

"Runs and drives, rode it yesterday"
I show up. Bike doesn't crank.
"Dunno what happened, battery ran down"
Get a charger on it, get it to crank. No start.
Check carbs, no gas. Find unhooked vac hose.
"I thought that was just a vent"
Hook it back up, crank it come more.
Got gas, but no spark.
I'm thinking, ok, I can fix electrical stuff no prob.
Offer $200. Guy says OK. I get the ramp.
BIKE WON"T ROLL.

Both brakes were locked up hard. At that point I cut and ran, told the guy I wasn't feeling THAT adventurous.

 

I sold a '95 Bronco on CL, sold the first day, first call and man showed up with cash next day. Also sold an old Dodge pickup, about the same story but took a few days.
When I get a new computer, I've been selling the old one on CL and that is a different story! Lots of flakes say they want it but never come up with the money. I think most of them are kids. Bought my XJ off Ebay and that turned out well.

 

When the bike wouldn't roll, should have reduced to $100.00. Nothing that a brake job wouldn't have fixed.....

dave F

 

I've never sold anything on CL - but bought all kinds of stuff with no real problems other than the difference of opinion regarding condition. Had to walk away many times, but I figure nothing ventured noting gained.
Best deals so far was a 1983 Lebaron Convertible for $500 that my wife took over (New top and new paint with a tune up), an antique wood stove for $100 that was refurbished and now heats our home on cold wintery nights and an antique solid oak china hutch that needed nothing but some TLC and elbow grease.

 

Well, it wasn't an XJ. Also, I wasn't looking for a project, since I already had two going at the time.

 

i have had nothing but good experiences. course like hogfiddles i call before i leave and when im close and when im there lol. and i always check vin #s and i always leave the wad of green in the car locked. ive sold many cars on cl and i have yet to have anything unpleasant. i tell them not to bother if there not coming with cash in hand or at least a 50% deposit.

 

BUYING, I've not had any issues. My 650 Seca came from CL too.

 

I agree, buying much better than selling. But you can look in my gallery for a CL seller's idea of a "ding" in the tank.

Selling the number one problem is no shows. I was GIVING away a king size mattress, people kept giving me sob stories of why they needed a mattress real bad, then flaking. Finally I put a price on it, then it sold.

Also, they don't get the "meet at a certain time" thing. My stuff was stored at friend's vacant house. I made it clear that I would be making a trip just to meet them, and that my phone wasn't a good way to reach me. (long story) So we'd agree on time, then they'd say: "I'll call you before hand tomorrow." NO, dumbass, THIS is that phone call! I will be there, but I bet you won't.

 

The worst part of craigslist is no picture and no contact info in the buying aspect if u can actually look at it (don't even believe not even 1 of there words just and only your gut and the eyes right in front of your brain!) selling does bring the flakes out of the wood work but have always had good luck. I just tell them when they get here it will be available to you until then its still for sale keep that low number in your head don't budge and dont say more than u have to! my $0.02

 

The bike ads with no photo drive me crazy. C'mon, it's not THAT hard to post a photo if you're trying to sell something!

 

I haven't had problems buying on CL, got my maxim from there. Selling I also haven't had an issue because I'm smart. I don't fall for the preachers that are 5 states away, or honeymooners, etc. A buddy of mine fell for one of those scams and he ended up coming $1,500 out of pocket, and fighting to keep his wife out of jail. Worst part is, he went to Chase before he deposited the check into his account (Wells Fargo), and Chase said the check was good.

 

I don't take checks for anything on craigslist, and I only pay in cash, so NOBODY has to worry about any payment. If the item I bought turns out bad, well...the buyer didn't beware enough. So far, so good..........

It's a game you gotta play, and I play fair and square. I expect the other guy to play fair and square, too, but I also keep in mind that he may NOT and I need to be prepared for that eventuality, too.

Dave F

 

I bought both of my bikes from CL. Both were pleasant experiences. For my 650 Max I paid the PO $50 to drive it 50 miles to my house. His wife followed in her mini van and drove him home. I figured that if he could drive it 50 miles to my house and stop it in my garage then the bike was rideable and restorable. At the time I did not have my motorcycle license.

For the 1100 Max, the PO rode it to a nearby restaurant and I test drove it while he waited next to my car. Paid him cash and he signed over the title on the spot.

 

I got a spare engine non-YICS on the rolling chasis with a few extra parts like forks and handlebars all for an incredible deal... TEN BUCKS

Funny thing is the seller found me through craigslist. I posted an add looking for an engine head, some guy calls me up and I go take a look at it. The guy was a down-to-earth guy with farmer bibs and a straw hat on cleaning his barn. I was gonna offer $50 for the entire thing he asks me what my offer was, and at the exact same time his cell rings. He answers and talks for a few minutes while I continue to examine everything and determine it rotates freely. He gets off the phone and asks, "How does $10 sound?" To my disbelief, I got up and shook his hand. Afterall it was the holiday season last year but damn, I couldn't believe it. Thanked him many, many times and wished him a nice Christmas. It was just crazy thinking that the guy found me. I didn't find him; yet he still gave me such a great deal. Heck he could've taken it to the scrapyard and got at least $20 for scrap metal...

Overall I've had pretty good success with craigslist selling & buying.

 

No Horror stories here. Met some real Cool people Buying and selling off of CL. Still in contact with some of them.