Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
I put a windshield up for sale on craigs list. Within one day, I get three responses. One from a total idiot, and two from people who both just happen to be leaving for London and both have assistants who will complete the transaction for them in their absence. Boy, sure must be nice to have an assistant do stuff for you while you galavant off to England while looking for used boat windshields in Craigslist in your spare time. Guess all those savings from shopping on Craigslist helps pay for the assistant.

Damn scammers. Used to be I could place an item on Craigs list and never get one scammer response. Now they are the majority of the responses.

Oh well, all good things come to an end.
 

Philip_G

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
634
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Just a wasteland of lowballers and scammers. I sell some stuff there but usually I don't care too much if it sells and I'm pretty picky about who I show the item to. I hate wasting my time. My #1 pet peeve 'im really interested call me'... delete.
 

mommicked

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
1,700
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Got lucky on my first sale a week ago,even delivered the item to a nice older man.Yesterday someone called and wanted another item right away and asked where I was,I told them a general area and asked "where are you coming from"they gave a vague answer also and then asked for my address.I told them I was on my way to work and to call back later,and Id meet them at a parkinglot w the item.still waiting.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Got lucky on my first sale a week ago,even delivered the item to a nice older man.Yesterday someone called and wanted another item right away and asked where I was,I told them a general area and asked "where are you coming from"they gave a vague answer also and then asked for my address.I told them I was on my way to work and to call back later,and Id meet them at a parkinglot w the item.still waiting.

I use CL sparingly, and I never post an e-mail address. Phone only. Weeds out some of the riff-raff.
 

eaglejim

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Messages
1,006
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

I buy on CL all the time most of the time the folks are so happy that I a real buyer I get some real good deals last buy I went for a radiator and came home with that and bumper,grill,transmission cooler,and a AC compressor for 65.00
 

Philip_G

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
634
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

I buy on CL all the time most of the time the folks are so happy that I a real buyer I get some real good deals last buy I went for a radiator and came home with that and bumper,grill,transmission cooler,and a AC compressor for 65.00

lol
 

nos10racer

Cadet
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
16
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

i have had really good luck on cl. i buy/sell/trade allot o there.. i get a bunch of tire kickers but never had any scammers or any really bad experience..
 

mscher

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

It seems ironic, that even though CL is the best and cheapest place, to buy and sell, people shun it, because it is not 100% easy, or 100% safe.

In business, there has always been "risk" of lowballers, time wasters and scammers, since people in caves, trading shiny rocks.

CL is the best game in town, but alas, you have to do have to do some work and pay attention, to protect against getting taken. ;)
 

emoney

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
2,551
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

You're better off NOT listing a price in the description line. I always put, "$1.00". It stops a lot of the scammers because it's filtered out as being too cheap of an item by their automated computers. I also think it helps to but "FS/FT", but then list the 'trades' as stuff you know noone would actually swap for. It really has cut down on the "I want your item, and I will send you a cashier's check..." emails. Now, none of that helps the goobers out there that want to offer you 1/3 of the price without even talking to you or coming to see the item. You're on your own with those guys.
 

Silverbullet555

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
621
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

I got a bunch of people sending emails asking for my phone number or asking me to call them or text them. Then I started getting calls about enrolling in a college. No more. And I never have them come to the house. Meet them at some parking lot.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

I also hate the people that respond and want me to call them. I've started adding a line in my ad saying that I deal with CL exclusively via email and please do not ask me to call you. It has worked well.

I love the people that say "no scammers". Yeah that'll stop 'em! :p
 

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

I am very interested in your for sale item(s). Being a member of the Nigerian royal family, I am very busy personally, so my assistant will mail you a check that will more than cover the cost of your item(s)...

:D
 

jtmarten

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
825
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

They're not just the majority of responses, but also the ads it seems. I especially love the cars listed for 20% of their real value, say they're in Denver, and have pics with palm trees in the background!
I've had good luck over the years with craigslist, both buying and selling. Sold my BMW 540i a couple weeks ago through CL, now looking for an 840ci, and using Cl as one source.
 

dlindeblad

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
256
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Next time you go on CL look at the top right hand of the page and browse "the best of CL", funny stuff there.
 

sdilecce

Cadet
Joined
Nov 9, 2007
Messages
23
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Craigslist guy "I'll give you $500 for it"
Me "Ok, bring cash and you can have it"

Ten minutes later the phone rings....

Craigslist guy "I changed my mind and bought another truck, but I will still give you $250 for yours"

Me "No Thanks"

Two days later the phone rings....

Craigslist guy "Its me again, I want to buy your truck for $300"

Me "Im sorry, I sold it for $800"

Craigslist guy "I would have given you $1000 for it"

I hate selling on Craigslist!
 

Cadwelder

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
1,780
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

My son sells on Craiglist all the time....he's had good results. He keeps all of his by email only and doesn't put a phone number in the ad. He says he don't get scammers but get alot of "You wanna trade for my four wheeler" or some other trade offer. And he even puts "no trades" in the ad. Guess some can't read to well.

He always tells them I'll trade it for cash....lol
 

jtmarten

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
825
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Lots of trade offers!
Lots of lowballers too. They must think everyone who uses craigslist is broke and desperate for cash. I had my 540i listed for $9K, had a few offers for $6k. Told them that was a sufficient down payment, I'd be happy to hold the car for up to 30 days. I told one guy thanks, he'll give my coworkers and I something to laugh about!
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

Bubba, you want free? or good. I'll take free :p
 

jtmarten

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
825
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

+1
If you want them to make major improvements they'd have to make it a pay site just like ebay.

Ever heard Caveat Emptor? Don't rely on someone else to cover your *****.
 

Brewman61

Ensign
Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Messages
996
Re: Geez, Craigslist responses are two thirds scamers.

CL is basically an electronic garage sale- you get that same types. You have a nice item that may be worth $50, but wanna get rid of it fast so you ask $5. Then the garage sale low ballers show up and offer you a quarter or something. My sister gave away for free a pretty nice older redwood picnic table, with the two long benches. The short benches for the ends of the table were long gone.
Guy rolls up and asks the price- sister tells him it's free for the hauling. He then spends the next half hour beating her up for the missing end benches. They are long gone, she says. Guy can't get over that and leaves. Idiots.
 
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