Members Oldskool Texas Posted January 27, 2011 Members Share Posted January 27, 2011 So I've got a nice Italian road bike for sale on Craigslist, attractively priced at $600. The ad says "priced to sell, very firm. Cash only, no checks or money orders." On Monday I heard from a girl who was very interested, but couldn't come look at it until today (Wednesday). "No problem," I say, figuring I'll never hear from her again. Much to my surprise, I do hear from her, and she'd like to come take a look tonight. Cool! So I give her my address and phone number, and tell her to call me to set up a time. She emails back that she'd like to come over in about 45 minutes, but "it's a long trek, so I want to ask you some questions first." Ooookay.... Question 1: "My bank will only let me take out $400 a day, so will you take a check? Question 2: "Since the bike has been on CL for four days, that usually means it's priced too high. Will you bargain on the price, because I can't spend $600 on a bike right now." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eco-Pik Posted January 27, 2011 Members Share Posted January 27, 2011 If I want the best price on something, I put it on CL and hope for the best.If I want to sell something quickly, I put it on eBay. Somebody will buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted January 27, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 27, 2011 At least with eBay I can use "Buy it Now" and require the buyer to pay immediately. The fees suck, but there's no run-around. Not to mention that you're advertising to the whole freakin' world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cale76 Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 Yeah, everyone likes to low ball you on CL. Oh, and I've also noticed that no one can read. It often provides for a good laugh, much like in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fiveoclockhero Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 Craigslist is better than eBay. Even if you have to field obnoxious questions and fight to make sure you get the right amount as people try to haggle with you, it's still free to list. Why should eBay or PayPal get ANY of my money? I hate third parties dipping their fingers into a transaction they have nothing to do with. As for buying on eBay, I want to see the guitar and hold it and play it, live and in person, before cash changes hands. Period. I don't want any questions and I don't want to run the risk of guitars being damaged in transport. I can live with retail and if I want to get something used, I live in a large enough city that I can find it within driving distance on CL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 Craigslist is better than eBay. Even if you have to field obnoxious questions and fight to make sure you get the right amount as people try to haggle with you, it's still free to list. Why should eBay or PayPal get ANY of my money? I hate third parties dipping their fingers into a transaction they have nothing to do with.As for buying on eBay, I want to see the guitar and hold it and play it, live and in person, before cash changes hands. Period. I don't want any questions and I don't want to run the risk of guitars being damaged in transport. I can live with retail and if I want to get something used, I live in a large enough city that I can find it within driving distance on CL. While I often feel Ebay and Paypal take too big of a chunk, it's not true that they "had nothing to do with" the transaction. They have made these kinds of transactions possible! They provide an entire SET of services that make buying and selling on the internet much more fast, efficient, and relatively safe than it ever was running a classified ad in the local paper or the "Tradin' Times" - It's a fact that their contribution to these transactions is so much taken for granted these days that it is invisible, and people have then no longer placed value on it. I guarantee that if either Paypal or Ebay went away tomorrow, people would realize the value in what they provide. As for Craigslist? I think CL is great...I'm still trying to figure out how they make any money and what their business model is?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fiveoclockhero Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 eBay has created a unique infrastructure that may be valuable to some people but I don't feel like it's worth it to me, relative to cost, risk, etc. If you're careful and have your head on straight, CL can be your friend but any time I consider going near eBay, I just feel like too much is out of my hands. Will this guy deliver on the product I've never seen? Will he package and ship it correctly? Just too many variables and trust there and, again, listing fees. Do they still charge you to list whether you sell it or not? That may not be an arm and a leg but they can kiss off. Plus, I prefer to be able to punch scam artists directly in the face when I deal with them. A guy with Han Solo in his avatar should be able to appreciate that more direct approach, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members smorgdonkey Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 So I give her my address and phone number, and tell her to call me to set up a time. She emails back that she'd like to come over in about 45 minutes, but "it's a long trek, so I want to ask you some questions first." Ooookay.... Question 1: "My bank will only let me take out $400 a day, so will you take a check? Question 2: "Since the bike has been on CL for four days, that usually means it's priced too high. Will you bargain on the price, because I can't spend $600 on a bike right now." I'd say...well, I may bargain on the price if you'll entertain the idea of some pony rides but I'll need a few photos first. I need the headshot and the full body pic plus one from behind when you are wearing snug jeans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brujo13 Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 it seems to be that the craigslist rules are like this. Buyer:1-Offer half or less, than the asking price, everytime, for every item you intend to buy, regardless if the item is already priced right or even a sweet deal. ex. "Hi, im really interested in that MiM fender strat, I know you are asking $275 and it looks to be in great shape. but its not quite the color I want, will you take $130 on it? since its not the color/fretoard I wanted?" 2- never shop when you have money, but always do so when you are waiting for it. "Hey, ive been looking for a delay pedal for a while, the DE7 looks to be what i want in the price i want, is the pedal still available? if it is i can come pick it up", once you answer that the item is still available, " great, anyway you can hold it for me until Friday? i dont get paid/my tax return/my allowance/to sell blood, until then i dont have the money at the moment to buy it" this is where you tell them if they still have it by friday they can come get it, but you wont HOLD the item for them. then thursday comes along, still have the item, send a email or text, their responce " oh hey , yeah, thanx but i already bought one yesterday, yeah ended up getting my money early, and just decided to buy another pedal, ill buy it for $15 since you are having a hard time selling it, and i dont really need it anymore, but youll have to deliver it to me cause i dont have time to come by and get it this week". Seller have their anoying rules too. 1- Advertise price about 50% over what you really want, that way the lowballers, can lowball me into a reasonable price " Fender Stratocaster standard, great shape blah blah blah, these cost $535 with tax, ill include my old strap and a cable that works sometimes and its a lil rusty, im asking $489, hey at least you dont have to pay for the strap, cable or tax!" 2- Squier = Fender, Epiphone = Gibson, Ibanez Gio = Ibanez Prestige " I can add $50 to the price of my squier for every time I use "By Fender" on my ad, actually why even bother writing squier, ill just sell it as a fender strat tha way i can ask $350 for this $230 squier standard strat! dont forget ill give you a stinky strap and a non working cable!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaleH Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 People looking for deals piss me off. j/k So far I have had pretty good luck with CL. The last 3 items I have sold the buyers just paid me what I was asking and said thanks. 2 guitars and a set of winter tires on rims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members roners5 Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 I've done a lot of good deals using craigslist but you have to have wayyyy more patience if u wanna go that route. People are gonna lowball, you can't take it personally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members straycat113 Posted February 2, 2011 Members Share Posted February 2, 2011 The biggest thing I hate about CL is all the cool and hard to find gear I stumble upon in other states and the buyer refuses to ship. I do not even bother anymore looking out of state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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