Buying off Craigslist - caveats?

[Jabb]

Hey guys,

I'm buying something off craigslist for the first time today - do you have any caveats? Its a sealed video game.

Let me know!

[Ottomaddox]

Hey guys,

I'm buying something off craigslist for the first time today - do you have any caveats? Its a sealed video game.

Let me know!

Meet in person; in a public location if you're ultra paranoid.
Check the item before you pay, and pay cash.

Not sure about CL, but on Kijiji you can see the other ads someone has posted.
I usually check out what else they are selling.. maybe pick up a few things, make a better deal, or just to see what kinda weird stuff they are into. ;-)

Just remember, sales are always as is, and the seller has no obligation to make you happy, so don't make a deal if you're not happy with the item or the price.

[_Allan_]

1 - make sure you meet in a well populated area - like a mall.
2 - do NOT buy computer software, even sealed stuff, as he could have a vacuum sealing machine at his house - then again, he could be 100% perfectly legit.
3 - take a friend or two just to be safe.
4 - go in, thinking something *could* go wrong, that way if it does, you're prepared, and if it doesn't you've covered your behind.

[LordofthePing]

Common sense stuff:
Ask them how they got it, why they're selling it, is there a receipt, try to meet in a public place, don't let them jack the price at the last second, check the sealing on the game to see if it was resealed, maybe bluff about bringing your system to test it.

[drowsy]

Bring a baseball bat with you. Just in case.

[originalnutta]

Tell him that you're part of the RFD community, and that if he tries anything funny, we will all flame him.

[nuberific]

You could get murdered.

[originalnutta]

You could get murdered.

with high prices?

[Stunt_101]

2 words: common sense

[myversa]

ask a friend to go with you with video camera :D

[originalnutta]

ask a friend to go with you with video camera :D

Why just one friend?

I'd show up with an entire film crew.
Record that shiznit in HD, so no details are left out.

Get some guys shooting from the rafters and get all angles. Also a boom operator making sure the slightest sound is captured, ensuring to maintain terrific tonality with clear emotional expressions within the dialogue.

[MaximDude]

I just bought some blu rays off a guy yesterday and it was completely fine. I met him outside his house and we sat down on his porch and made the exchange. I've met people at their houses a few times now and never had any problems.

I guess it depends on whether or not you feel you can trust the person, but so far all the times I've bought or sold stuff off craigslist or kijiji the exchange has always been with nice people and it was no hassle.

For a sealed video game, maybe you should open the package in front of him and check things out before you pay.

[RestIsHistory]

Common sense stuff:
Ask them how they got it, why they're selling it, is there a receipt, try to meet in a public place, don't let them jack the price at the last second, check the sealing on the game to see if it was resealed, maybe bluff about bringing your system to test it.

I hate getting buyers that doesn't have the amount agreed upon, always less $10-20

[LordofthePing]

I hate getting buyers that doesn't have the amount agreed upon, always less $10-20

Yeah, I was selling a couch for $300 and the guy shows up and says "Here's the $200." We settled in between, closer to $300, but I was like gimme a break.

[madman604]

in god we trust, all others beware.

always open sealed packages with the seller present. always examine $ for counterfeit. count your $.

NEVER LET THEM RUSH YOU. thats a good sign of a scam.

[najibs]

Whatever you do, just don't fake your kidnapping :twisted:

[toalan]

If they ask you to come inside their house, roll the dice and take a chance. I once got into a 4 way; father, daughter, and wife, because I took the chance and went inside the house. I hope this helps.

[beerbaron105]

If they ask you to come inside their house, roll the dice and take a chance. I once got into a 4 way; father, daughter, and wife, because I took the chance and went inside the house. I hope this helps.

Sounds kinky, tell us more?

[originalnutta]

Sounds kinky, tell us more?

It ends with toalan saying, "the Aristocrats!".

[Yankees 1903]

We cleared out some old stuff that my family had in the basement and did not want to have a garage sale, everything we sold was from the house and the buyer came over. I was only willing to give out the address to people that would give me their names, phone numbers and home address, I then looked these up to make sure they were legit. I called back to see if they actually picked up with the name given and looked up to see if the address matched the phone number and name given, all transactions were done during the day outside (no one was allowed in the house). Everything went smoothly and all the old stuff was sold to mostly people in their late 20's to 40's with families, most even brought them along. This is not the typical person who's going to jack you for your stuff, this is the only way I would let someone come over. Use common sense and meet in a public place like a mall if their not willing to give you their information so you can check it out. I even had many buyers give me their work phone numbers with the extension to reach them during the day. When someone is willing to give you all this info most likely they are not going to beat you over the head and run off with your stuff. Again use common sense when dealing with craigslist. Before craigslist everyone just used classified ads and there was no fear about being jacked for your stuff, now you have to use extra caution.

[Ottomaddox]

I was only willing to give out the address to people that would give me their names, phone numbers and home address, I then looked these up to make sure they were legit. I called back to see if they actually picked up with the name given and looked up to see if the address matched the phone number and name given, all transactions were done during the day outside (no one was allowed in the house).

What the heck were you selling? These measures seem ultra paranoid for garagesale-class stuff.

[cmge]

read this

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776018

[googoo]

I'd show up with an entire film crew.
Record that shiznit in HD, so no details are left out.

Get some guys shooting from the rafters and get all angles. Also a boom operator making sure the slightest sound is captured, ensuring to maintain terrific tonality with clear emotional expressions within the dialogue.

Exactly the way I do it!

Brent

[beerbaron105]

I'm never worried, I'm a big boy and can handle myself lol, needless to say, if it's done at my house, its on the front porch, with something nasty within reach behind the door
(i do not condone any form of weaponry, but so what if a guy plays ball..heh..heh..)

[Ottomaddox]

read this

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776018

Yeah, so? People are weird. That doesn't mean they are all out to steal or hurt you. In fact, considering how much crap gets listed on Kijiji and CL, the incidents are pretty rare.

[Yankees 1903]

What the heck were you selling? These measures seem ultra paranoid for garagesale-class stuff.

I'm not going to give out my address to just any random person who emails me about a craigslist ad. I had people not willing to give out their phone number and would only give out a random email address. When you have a garage sale most of the buyers are from around your neighborhood, random people contacting you from craigslist could be from anywhere. I guess you like giving out your address to random people who email you. This is how my parents wanted it done and everything was sold for a lot more than if we had a garage sale. You would also be surprised at what some people sell at garage sales they don't always fall under garage sale class, I picked up my Mario Lemieux rookie card at one.

[Ottomaddox]

I'm not going to give out my address to just any random person who emails me about a craigslist ad. I had people not willing to give out their phone number and would only give out a random email address. When you have a garage sale most of the buyers are from around your neighborhood, random people contacting you from craigslist could be from anywhere. I guess you like giving out your address to random people who email you. You would also be surprised at what some people sell at garage sales, they don't always fall under garage sale class..

I give my address to people that call and want to buy stuff.
I don't ask for all their personal details, because a) it doesn't matter b) I don't care who they are and c) people would find it odd, and scare off potential buyers.

If they know my name or phone number, they can easily find my address in the phone book or online anyways.

I just find it odd you have the perception that international diamond thieves are using Craigslist ads for casing heists. :)

[Yankees 1903]

I give my address to people that call and want to buy stuff.
I don't ask for all their personal details, because a) it doesn't matter b) I don't care who they are and c) people would find it odd, and scare off potential buyers.

If they know my name or phone number, they can easily find my address in the phone book or online anyways.

I just find it odd you have the perception that international diamond thieves are using Craigslist ads for casing heists. :)

I guess everyone uses their own method, it's all good. I do think I am a bit paranoid though, I once punched my shadow for stalking me.

[cmge]

Yeah, so? People are weird. That doesn't mean they are all out to steal or hurt you. In fact, considering how much crap gets listed on Kijiji and CL, the incidents are pretty rare.

OP wanted to know some caveats and i showed the link... no harm no foul.. just people need to have some common sense when dealing with ppl on craigslist/kijiji/forums...