OT: Craig's List

[GonnePhishin]

Has anyone had any experience using Craig's list in buying or selling anything? They won't sell firesticks but just about everything else. I have a SW radio I'd like to sell but have never used Craig's List.

I don't like e-bay since you have to have a paypal account and all that monkey business.

[Hobie]

I have never had good luck on Craig's List. Several attempted scams. Fortunately for me I'd been trained by eBay...

[GonnePhishin]

Hobie, care to elaborate on the scams?

[bsaride]

If you are leary of Craigslist and have equipment to sell why not look at posting to radio sights?

Found on arrl.org:

WE BUY/SELL RADIOS. #1 IN ESTATES – PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT! http://www.recycledradio.com (603) 479-5854

WILL BUY HAM RADIO ESTATES almost anywhere. Fair and honest prices paid for complete estates. W1PE 972-288-9911 rwpeters@swbell.net

QRZ has an online swapmeet: http://forums.qrz.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

I would see if there was a local club as well

[GonnePhishin]

bsaride,

thanks for the info.

[O.S.O.K.]

This is very timely. My son listed his computer on Craig's List and got a bite. Turned out to be a scam. I told him to be very warey - to look for the signs like the guy offering more money, etc. This one was different than the ones that I've experienced with them in the past. This time, the guy was supposedly in the UK and wanted to send the computer to "his son". First, he did offer more money (ding) and then he sends my son an email claiming that he's made the payment to paypal. Then, I get an email from Service@paypal.com (all of the other service emails from paypal have small s's - this one's is capitalized...) The first clue that there was something wrong was it contained the phrase "Dear Costomar:" What an idiot. It went on to say that I'd received the payment but it wouldn't be released until the item had been shipped - yeah right. Now this email looked completely legit otherwise - correct logos, format, etc.

I go to my paypal account (which by the way, I created just for this sale - I hate paypal) and there's nothing there. I call them and tell them what the deal is and they check to be sure - yeah, nothing. They ask me to forward the email to spoof@paypal.com - so I did.

The other scams were both the same - I was selling minibikes. The supposed buyer says "I'll take it" - and then proceeds to send other notes to the effect that "his secretary made an error and made the check out for $5000 instead of $500" and would I mind just cashing the check and taking my payment out of it and giving the rest to "his courrier". And that he'd give me another $100 for the trouble. Yeah, right. This was the same thing twice.

Craig's list is rife with this kind of scam. Be wary - be very wary.

For payments, insist on a postal money order only or paypal and then be careful to check every email and don't click any links in the emails - go to http://www.paypal.com directly to access your account. The regular "bank checks" are now being regularly counterfeited.

[Borregos]

I have sold quite a few items on Craig's list, had one or two scam attempts but I just try and sell locally and insist on cash.

[David]

I wouldn't do anything on Craigs full of scams.
I guess selling isn't so bad if you know the money is there but buying is a nightmare, I don't know anyone who hasn't gotten ripped off including myself

[Ysabel Kid]

They won't sell firesticks but just about everything else.

Including, apparently, allowing someone to post an add paying another person to rape his wife. The story is in the news here locally. But at least he didn't try to buy or sell a gun...

[Kansas Ed]

I have sold quite a few items on Craig's list, had one or two scam attempts but I just try and sell locally and insist on cash.

+1

That's what I did recently. Pickup only and bring cash...the scams are coming from distance, so just tell them you won't ship, Pickup only. If you wanted a national market you would be better with ebay, but craigs list is easier. I won't go into the ebay rant in this thread...

Ed

[Ben_Rumson]

+1 buy & sell locally for cash... Picked up a like new folding wheel chair for $50.00 for Mom to fly with.

[pshort]

Howdy,
South of me about 100 miles, a lady answered an ad to babysit. The guy killed her........ No guns, though.. Hookers are ok, too!

Paul

[Cosmoline]

I used CL quite a bit a few years back when it was pretty new and had fantastic results. Quick sales, no headaches. I recently used it again for the first time in years to sell a Knaack box and tools. It was a totally different experience. I had several bizarre money order scams and a bunch of loons crawling out of the woodwork demanding I ship it to them. It was insane. Thankfully I weeded out a real buyer and did the deal, but it wasn't a very fun process. I prefer the local trade-radio (tradio) or the sporting goods swap n' sell.

All these hip internet sites go through a life cycle. They start out with early adopters and expand with more media attention, reach a peak and are then overtaken by Nigerian style scammers, trolls and loons. Smaller outfits with newer software come along and siphon off the good customers. In a few short years they go from being worth billions to being worthless ghost towns. CL is headed that way, just like AOL, yahoo, myspace, etc. So is facebook.

Thankfully there is nothing less hip than leverguns, so this site is safe

[Mike D.]

I have sold lots of odds and ends on CL. The latest was a pair of old enamel Tidewater Oil signs that I had scrounged up. The first caller came right over and gave me $250 for 'em.

[GonnePhishin]

O.S.O.K., and everyone else.

Thanks for the heads up. I wasn't planning on shipping but only selling locally and for cash, but once again many thanks for the lowdown on CL.
If I decide to use it I will be very cautious.