Craigslist blues

[JoLin]

Re: Craigslist blues

We can go 'round and 'round on this all day. It started with my comment that someone who contacts me and immediately asks my 'bottom line' is told that right now, for this conversation, it's the price I'm asking. If he wants to pursue an actual, possible purchase, that's fine and I'm available for that. I'm friendly, polite, businesslike and very honest. I price things fairly after I've done some research. I don't jerk people around when I buy or when I sell.

If the buyer doesn't want to pursue it further with me, THAT'S HIS RIGHT.It's my right is to sell in a manner I'm comfortable with. Maybe it comes together with that buyer, maybe it doesn't. Your way isn't RIGHT and it isn't WRONG. Neither is mine. I, too, have never failed to sell an item I wanted to sell, at a price I'm comfortable with.

That's enough. I'm done. Have a nice day

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Craigslist blues

I've answered a few ads for boats, gotten there 20 minutes after talking to the owner and been told that they weren't sure whether or not they were actually going to sell it, but go ahead and check it out anyhow???

One guy had a boat and trailer listed for $450, it was a good deal, and a fair price. I drove an hour to get there, after hearing it run, checking it all out and agreeing on a price, he all of a sudden didn't have the title and wasn't sure if he really wanted to sell it. Needless to say I flew off the handle. The ad stayed up for three more weeks, he even relisted it a few months later and two others I talked to went through the same deal with the same guy. I don't get what they think they're doing? The guy wasn't using the boat, it was three years out of registration. What bugged me even more is that I talked to this guy for an hour on the phone the night before.

I had another just two weeks ago, about 2 hours away, that wasn't home when I got there. The boat was in the back yard with several big dogs in the fence, the house was dark, with three cars in the drive yet 2 hours after calling and saying I'm on my way, there was no signs of life. They didn't answer their phone, the door bell got no response, and the boat looked exactly as described and pictured in the ad. I left after 30 minutes of trying to raise a response and even left a note on the door that I was there.
I got no further replies to my emails or any explanation. The ad remained up for two more months, it was relisted three or four times. I even had a buddy contact the guy, and got the same thing as I got, all was fine until he showed up, then no one was home and no further responses to emails.
I take it there were more that got the same deal as there was a few nasty counter ads about that boat listed right after.

I don't get what people are trying to prove by a fake ad? Unless their trying to see how upset they can get someone who just drove 2 hours. If the boat hadn't been decent, I'd have blown up and left a nasty note but I had actually figured that maybe something had happened, at least till they did the same thing to two buddies that tried to buy it as well.

Maybe it was't the owner that placed the ad? Maybe it was a buddy or neighbor pulling a prank?

 

[livin4real]

Re: Craigslist blues

Well, I guess your ideas work for you. I wouldn't buy from you. First, because you don't list a phone number. I want to buy something, I have money to spend and a limited amount of free time. I want to talk to you, get an idea of what you're selling and decide if it's worth my time. Unless you're selling something rare, I've probably already moved on to another seller.

You're gonna snap my piocture as soon as I walk up? I'm gone then, too. I came to (maybe) buy something from you. If I don't and you get robbed (or pull an insurance scam), I'm now a suspect? I'm a prospective customer- I don't need to subject myself to your background checks and "show me your papers" salesmanship.

My .02

My ideas have worked very well for me. 10 years on ebay and 100% feedback. I personally don't snap pics of plates or people, I write them down nonchalantly. I gather as much info on someone as I can just in case I need it later. I have had a couple instances where folks tried to scam me, where I have involved the authorities and have filed small claims against them. I don't harbor empty threats, I press charges. Having that extra info helps authorities hunt folks down. If someone is legitimately interested in my ad then they will take the time to email me through CL. I would much rather lose one potential customer then have something far worse happen to myself or my family. It's not being overly protective, it's being street smart. It's not the old days anymore where a mans word and a handshake were all you needed.

To the others talking about fake ads, bewarned facebook is a popular haunt for criminals as well. They will post ads at random locations and when you show up they rob you, just fyi. It's always best to drive by a location first and see what kind of vibe you get. If it's in a bad neighborhood it isn't worth it to me. Online b/s/t'ing is a great thing as long as you take some precautions.

 

[littlemiamijeff]

Re: Craigslist blues

True enough, customers and buyers should never be catered too. Best if you treat them all like thieves, bums and scammers. Just a thought to consider, every boat I buy, I sell. Two sides of the same coin.

Sorry to impose, but I'm a salesman by trade, and you two are from two different pods!

Bubba, you are using the Internet in one way it's been intended to be used, you're assuming a large risk, buying solely from pics and answers to emailed questions, possibly phone conversations as well. My hat's off to you for your trust/faith in your personal discernment and fellow man.
JoLin, you have a valid stance for what works for you, but as already stated, you'll miss opportunities and or sales/purchases due to suspicions.

I'm concluding the sale of a P/U truck this week I posted on CL, and I'm hoping for it to continue as easy as it's been so far.
lmj

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Craigslist blues

Boy, I opened up a can of worms eh?

Well, alls well that ends well for me.

I sold it this morning for full price. We had a number of conversations but he did drive a good ways. The guy and his wife were really happy with it, it was more roomy than he thought. It went to a young family with 4 kids, and it sounds corny, but sometimes you just know it went to the right person. I thought I would be upset to see it go, and I am a little bit, but I was all smiles when they drove away with it.

It was a good deal for what I asked.

I think it will live on so to speak. I am sentimental...it was a vintage boat, like my vintage motorcycles, I sort of get attached to them..

THe guy related to me HIS nightmare...he had been looking for a few weeks, and in his price range, almost NO ONE had a title. One guy told him he had a title that he was using, but it didnt go to the actual boat! We were equally relieved to find each other! I guess buying and selling have their difficulties, but it is hard to understand peoples motivations.

One example: Ive been trying to locate a cheap tow vehicle for my Bayliner, and Ive been looking at the bottom 1 percent price range of old trucks and such. (LOTS of competition amongst us broke folk)
There was one ad for a van and I called on it. Weird message..."If you calling about the patio furniture, Im sorry it has been sold...anything else leave a message"...so I did, and of course no reply. I emailed a few times, and called a few more times. Gave up. THREE weeks later, I see a similar van listed, but different for sure. I call...guess what? The same message. Weird. Curb stoner maybe, trying to throw us off with the bit about the patio furniture?

I have located my vehicle, Im gonna go look at it tomorrow. Proceeds from the old boat will fund the tow vehicle for the new boat. Works for me.

Just all comes down to if sane and normal buyers and sellers find each other. Rare I take it!

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Craigslist blues

I dont think lowballers are bad, but for me they get pushed to the back of the line right away. I answered everyone who sent in a low offer, and simply said Ive got alot of interest in the boat at this point, but if nothing comes of it I will get back in touch with you.

The first day I listed it I got a 60 percent of price offer from one guy and a 40 percent offer from another, both of them never talked to me or saw the boat. Why would I waste my time at that point, maybe if the weeks dragged on, and no one would pay my price Id get the hint that Im asking too much and Id be game for dropping it.

I guess the counterpart to the automatic lowballer is the seller who asks X-amount more than they really want, knowing that gives him some room to come down and seem accommodating. Whatever...um....floats your boat I guess!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Craigslist blues

For whatever reason I've gotten to be really phone-phobic. I hate talking on the phone to anyone I don't know (yes I know it's weird). Whenever I sell stuff on CL I always get all these responses saying "call me @ ###-#### about the item". I just don't see why I need to have a phone conversation about an inexpensive item. You say you want it, I tell you where I live, you tell me when you'll come, I say fine. Done. I've started adding this line to my ads "I deal with CL exclusively over email. Please so do not ask me to call you." And I still get people asking me to call them!

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Craigslist blues

For whatever reason I've gotten to be really phone-phobic. I hate talking on the phone to anyone I don't know (yes I know it's weird). Whenever I sell stuff on CL I always get all these responses saying "call me @ ###-#### about the item". I just don't see why I need to have a phone conversation about an inexpensive item. You say you want it, I tell you where I live, you tell me when you'll come, I say fine. Done. I've started adding this line to my ads "I deal with CL exclusively over email. Please so do not ask me to call you." And I still get people asking me to call them!

Im with you on that! It causes me stress to do that, I prefer they call me..for some reason thats better for me. This whole deal, while it only took 3 or 4 days probably took a few years off my life. Live and learn, Ill manage better next time!

From what Ive gathered here and elsewhere, as a first time boat owner who just bought number two and just sold number one, Ive just started down that slippery slope that will have me buying and selling boats for the rest of my life!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Craigslist blues

I kid you not.....I just emailed a guy about a used below deck fuel tank to ask him the dimensions.....his response? "Call me I'll get them for you". AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Craigslist blues

I had an even better one yesterday afternoon, I emailed a guy that had listed a boat and motor, but didn't want to sell the trailer. It was listed for $650. The boat looked good, and his description sounded OK. I drove about 30 minutes to see it, the boat was in decent shape, the motor was too small but ran, and the trailer, which he wanted to keep was junk and not even worth fixing, let alone for a boat twice as big as what was on it.
The guy took his time getting out of the house to show me the boat, it was backed in way down back behind about 10 junk cars and some scrap. I gave the boat a good once over, asked him if he'd take any less, and the first thing out of his mouth was that he really wants to get $1500 for it. Keep in mind it was listed for $650 in a local paper and on CL. He went on about how if he listed it for $1500, no one would show up. I at that point just started walking away, when he asked me what my problem was I really had to restrain myself from getting ignorant with the guy. In his twisted head he somehow figured that listing it for less than half of what he planned to sell it for was OK. The boat was barely worth the $650, and I'd have not taken it for much more than $500, especially after seeing that the "Excellent condition outboard" was a 1963 5.5Hp that looked like it had been knocked around a bit.
I really just wanted the hull. He followed me to my car harping on how "Every #$@& %& he meets wants everything for free" and how he's going to lose his house because no one will pay him a fair price for valuable items. At that point I lost it and gave him a reality check on what I thought about his personal little junk yard. The place looked like a scene out of Sanford & Son. He also had a "Super Nice outboard" listed, it turned out to be a 1967 V4 Evinrude with no cover and a seized lower unit. He had it listed for $800 firm and said it was no older than late 80's in his email. It was laying in the dirt on it's side half covered in snow and other scrap aluminum. The house matched the yard too. It was in a half decent looking neighborhood, I bet the neighbors love him.

Even if I had bought that boat, it was so buried behind so many dead cars, trucks, and boats without trailers I'd have needed a wrecker or helicopter to get it out of there.

I went right home, intending to flag all his ads in hopes he won't waste anyone else's time, but someone else beat me to it. I guess I wasn't the first guy he ticked off. Maybe it's something in the water or a full moon coming on?

 

[DANZIG]

Re: Craigslist blues

"Hmm, take picture of me without my permission and you might end up wearing the camera."

Yep, that would not amuse me at all. The best the photographer could expect is a broken camera/phone. I am truly surprised it has not happened to him already.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Craigslist blues

Just something for sellers to consider. Every low balling, prop kicker eventually buys something. The only question is, whose item, yours or the next guys.

Point being, they are still buyers, it just requires you to be a better negotiator. I've had my fair share of them (more than my share) and while I can't turn everyone of them into a sale I find that by finding a little about them I often can.

Joe low baller shows up and makes a silly offer. I know and he knows its a silly offer but... Its a starting point.

I often take the approach, "Joe, how many boats have you tried this on and for how long"? Often Joe will admit that he's been looking for a very long time but just can't find what he wants.

Well Joe, I can't sell it for your offer but I can work with you if you can be realistic, you want a good solid boat right, well let's go over this one and let me show you what your really getting. Blah, blah, blah...

You might be surprised how well it works.

Works for me, no sense taking it personal, its just "stuff" for sale.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Craigslist blues

"Hmm, take picture of me without my permission and you might end up wearing the camera."

Yep, that would not amuse me at all. The best the photographer could expect is a broken camera/phone. I am truly surprised it has not happened to him already.

You do realize if your out in public anyone is welcome to take your picture right? I'm not saying I agree with snapping pics of someone as soon as they walk up to buy something but it's perfectly within their legal right. Now, breaking that persons camera or assaulting them on the other hand will get you time in the gray bar motel.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Craigslist blues

I've sold a few things on CL when I was moving; I've avoided it since due to the time you waste with non-buyers. But I'd do it again with the right stuff.

I like email just to be able to ask specific questions about things not shown in the ad: Ex. is it a long shaft or short shaft? This is convenient for both when the timing of the response is not important.

When it comes to setting up appointments or discussing more details--important for a boat, not for an extension ladder--the phone works best. It's the only way to nail down an appointment time. If selling, you need their number to call them off a Wednesday appointment if you get a sale on Tuesday--or to find out where they are if they are late. If buying, you need to be able to call when you are on your way to see if the buyer is home and still has the item.

 

[DANZIG]

Re: Craigslist blues

"You do realize if your out in public anyone is welcome to take your picture right?"

Legal? Yes. Welcome? Absolutely not!


"will get you time in the gray bar motel."

Probation at worst, and then I am really POed and know where you live.

I emphatically recommend someone give "fair warning" if they intend on doing such a thing.

 

[jsonnebe]

Re: Craigslist blues

I found a 15' Crestliner on Craigslist. I had to call the guy, at his insistence, when I left the house then again when I got to his street. We walked across the street to a boat covered with a tarp. He invited me to lift the tarp at the splash well and "peek" inside. Everything inside was covered up except the rotted out floor.

I told the guy it would be pretty hard to buy something I can't even look at. He eventually found another place where I could "peek" my head in.

We had a slight disagreement on what it took to replace a floor. His version, based on 27 years of boating, consisted of a piece of plywood, a jig saw, and an hours worth of time. I don't have 27 years under my belt but I am pretty sure it takes a wee bit more than that to do it right.

I passed on even making an offer. It was listed @ $800.

 

[jsonnebe]

Re: Craigslist blues

And here's a dumb question...If you tell me in your ad that your motor, trailer, and outdrive are worth twice what you're asking for the boat then why don't you just trash the boat and sell the motor, trailer, and outdrive?

Unfortunately my budget forces me to read all these "the trailer alone is worth the price" ads.