My Craigslist horror story

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Archive 2009 · My Craigslist horror story

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p.2 #1 · My Craigslist horror story

But tell me; if you were in my shoes, would you have not done the same thing? For the possibility of a profit of several hundred dollars??

No, but I'm not you. Where do you draw the line as to how far you would travel for a "deal". Craigslist is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

Aug 24, 2009 at 03:20 PM

Vertigo2020
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p.2 #2 · My Craigslist horror story

I'd say traveling for a "deal" is relative. I have to drive 92 miles one way just to get groceries and they're damn sure not a deal! Personally, I'd have done the same thing if I were havasu. In fact, it's pretty common for folks in that area to drive from LHC, Kingman, BHC to Vegas to shop. Besides, selling the lens to someone else before he got there is the epitome of greed.

Aug 24, 2009 at 03:44 PM

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p.2 #3 · My Craigslist horror story

based on limited experience, craigslist is a ready road to disappointment, especially if the deal is very good. act fast and be prepared for scheisterism. assume you may well get hosed and have a mitigation plan. that place is the wild west (or east or whatever....)

Aug 25, 2009 at 01:57 AM

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p.2 #4 · My Craigslist horror story

many of the items you see for sale on craisglist or even the buy/sell forums on places like this will have items being sold in more than one place, such as an item advertised on craigslist, while at the same time being sold on ebay. i see it all the time, and likely the item was sold somewhere else online and this was a case of miscommunication. I am not faulting anyone with this, not you and not him. In your case you should have made absoultely clear that you wanted the item, and made sure he knew you were the final buyer, if you did and he sold it to someone else, ethier he is a bad sales man, or the whole occurance may have slipped his mind, my father is 63 and some things don't always occour to him, and i can see where that could have gone wrong. all in all it's a rotten thing that your time/money got wasted, but it happens.

Aug 25, 2009 at 02:13 AM

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p.2 #5 · My Craigslist horror story

first things wrote:
based on limited experience, craigslist is a ready road to disappointment, especially if the deal is very good. act fast and be prepared for scheisterism. assume you may well get hosed and have a mitigation plan. that place is the wild west (or east or whatever....)

It is also a pain in the butt to be a seller. I have driven to meet people only to wait and never hear a peep from them again. So now I have learned to be a hard ass and insist people come to me and the first one with cash gets what I am selling. I hate to do business like that but people have no qualms about wasting your time.

Aug 25, 2009 at 02:05 PM

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p.2 #6 · My Craigslist horror story

The only problem I have with people coming to me, is I don't allow any strangers near my house. So, I usually meet in a public place, and if I'm feeling nice, I'll drive the 30 miles or so round trip, out to the gas station near the interstate to meet them.

I have yet to have anyone stiff me, or rob me. But, I just don't use Craigslist that much anymore. I've found that the buyers of photography equipment can be a bit un-educated. And then there is always the flood of emails from Nigeria asking you if the "item" is still available. Unfortunately for them, I also like to do "scam baiting", so I have a lot of fun with them.

I actually placed on ad on Craigslist once that said; For sale, one Item, in new condition, only used once. You will not find a nicer Item anywhere on Craigslist. The price for this Item is $4200, and will include the box and all original paperwork"

Sadly, some "sharp cookie" flagged my ad before I had a chance to play with the West Africans.

Aug 25, 2009 at 02:23 PM

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p.2 #7 · My Craigslist horror story

Geeez, with my temperament that guy would be screwed by me and not in a pleasant way. I would think hard of a way how to "get back at him". I know it sounds horrible, but keeping a word in these kinds of matter is very important. I am just like you - I drive half way if not more to sell my stuff. I guess that was a lesson how to stop being nice.

Aug 27, 2009 at 11:29 AM

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p.2 #8 · My Craigslist horror story

I understand your frustration, but I sell stuff on Craigslist all the time, and I will sell it to the first person who is available to come pick it up, no questions asked. A buyer's time is "valuable", but so is mine, and I won't wait around for people, especially given the nature of Craigslist buyers being extremely flaky (at least in my experience - YMV).

I think he should have called you when he was prepared to sell the lens to the other buyer to let you know that he was selling it and not to waste your time driving (or maybe he could have used it as a bargaining chip to raise his price). I agree that it was kind of a shady move. He could have notified you when the lens was off hands. And I agree that he could have met you half way (if it were me, though, I would have declined your offer on the basis that it was too far away).

At least you know for next time ! I think driving 3 hours to pick up anything from Craigslist has a high chance of leading to disappointment.

Aug 27, 2009 at 02:32 PM

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p.2 #9 · My Craigslist horror story

As a buyer I let my seller know the exact time that I'll arrive at his home, if I get stuck in traffic I'll call. And I always call to let him know I'm on my way, no problem so far.

As a seller I give my buyer a window of +/-5 minutes, a few has miss the bus and sold to the next buyer. Snooze you loose.

Aug 27, 2009 at 05:16 PM

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p.2 #10 · My Craigslist horror story

carlsbadbum wrote:
As a buyer I let my seller know the exact time that I'll arrive at his home, if I get stuck in traffic I'll call. And I always call to let him know I'm on my way, no problem so far.

As a seller I give my buyer a window of +/-5 minutes, a few has miss the bus and sold to the next buyer. Snooze you loose.

What happens if you get stuck in traffic, call and the seller says you have a window of +/- 5 minutes away from your estimated arrival time? Would you be upset that they sold to another buyer if you are outside the 5 minute period ?

Aug 27, 2009 at 05:57 PM

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p.2 #11 · My Craigslist horror story

Similar thing happened to me, only with a 1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 4-spd (Bullitt car). Moved to my new neighborhood, went for a walk down some sidestreets. The car was sitting there on blocks, with a 1986 registration sticker. I offered him $7k, he told me I could have it but not for a few days. 2 days later I walked to his house with a bank check for $7k and when I turned the corner I saw it coming toward me on a flat bed. The a-hole sold it to a sleezebag in town for you guessed it, $7k. Not sure what he was thinking. I wanted to knock his teeth out but decided that wouldn't be a good move.

Looks like there are inconsiderate people everywhere

Aug 29, 2009 at 01:48 AM

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p.2 #12 · My Craigslist horror story

WTF. Was the rent due like that minute.

Aug 29, 2009 at 10:22 PM

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p.2 #13 · My Craigslist horror story

Just a quick update; I have had a very positive experience, buying a lens off of Craigslist. I saw a Sigma 150-500mm OS(Nikon) mount, and had been looking at buying one brand new.
So, I contacted the seller(he lived 200 hundred miles away), struck up a conversation, and I asked about the lens. The serial number started with 103, which made the lens maybe a year old, and past the serial numbers where they were having problems with this lens.

The lens was in like new condition. He sent picture of, and taken with, the lens, and they looked fine. We negotiated a price, and I paid by Paypal, and he shipped USPS, with a tracking number.

Two days later, my lens arrived. It is in it's original box, with case, and all accessories. The lens was still wrapped in the original plastic(how many of you throw that away?), and was in perfect condition. It came with both a case strap, and lens strap, both still wrapped in plastic.
As a bonus, he threw in, for free, an 86mm B+W UV filter. Still in it's original cardboard box, and nestled in its own little case.

So, there are deals to be had out there. And, there are people that still have morals and values similar to mine. I got the lens that I wanted, got a smoking deal(no, I won't tell you the price, because I may want to sell it someday), and am quite pleased with the initial results in testing the lens.

While I don't recommend non-face to face transactions on Craigslist, I have now done 4 of them, one as the seller, and 3 as a buyer, and have been very satisfied with all of the transactions.

I'm still a bit overly cautious, but, my "Catholic" nature allows me to think there is good in everyone. Sometimes, you just have to trust your gut feeling. Not everyone is trying to rip you off. But, if it quacks like a duck, it's still a duck. The best way is always a face to face transaction, in a public place, cash only.

Sep 09, 2009 at 09:18 PM

carlsbadbum
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p.2 #14 · My Craigslist horror story

mdude85 wrote:

What happens if you get stuck in traffic, call and the seller says you have a window of +/- 5 minutes away from your estimated arrival time? Would you be upset that they sold to another buyer if you are outside the 5 minute period ?

I always plan on getting there early, and I call the guy when I leave my house to let him know I'm on the way. I never miss a deal. If I miss the seller's 5 min window and the item is sold to another buyer then snooze I loose. I bought a 70-200IS from a seller that need cash fast, I was't the first to respond but first to show with cash and got a great deal.

Sep 09, 2009 at 10:22 PM

CGrindahl
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p.2 #15 · My Craigslist horror story

I found an EF 28-70 f/2.8L for sale on craigslist for a price that had me drooling. I met with the fellow and checked the lens which was perfect except for a bit of wobble when the zoom was extended. I suggested the lens be checked by a technician at a camera store in the town where I live and he agreed. The tech said there was an adjustment needed. The seller left the lens, paid for the repair, and still sold it to me for a ridiculously low price. Needless to say, I was VERY happy with the transaction. I've NO complaints about craigslist. I've sold two cameras easily, at my price. I've bought a Wacom tablet at a great price.

What is required is common sense and a bit of due diligence if questions arise. I always meet buyers/sellers in public places. Horror stories most often involve unscrupulous sellers AND unrealistic expectations.

Sep 10, 2009 at 01:21 AM

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p.2 #16 · My Craigslist horror story

I have sold a fair amount of "stuff" on craigs and when I listen to some of the stories people tell me about how they have been treated by others selling or lying about the condition of the items is unreal,,

I know I was looking for a 2000 Corolla for my grand daughter and the amount of scams going on is another issue,, just send me the money and you can pick the car up in a couple days at Joe Blows, bla bla bla,, are there really folks who believe this,,

I know there are honest prople around but craigs list sure makes ya wonder where society is heading,,

Derry

Sep 11, 2009 at 12:14 AM

kalex
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p.2 #17 · My Craigslist horror story

I bought and sold on craigslist for a while and don't blame the guy at all for selling the lens. I had so many instances when people would tell me that they are on their way and would never show up. I also had instances when people would ask me to hold it for them till "friday" and would never hear from them again. now I sell it to whoever shows up with the cash first. I'm sure that somebody else wanted the same lens as you for $200 which is a lot less than it costs new or even used. He should have probably been more clear about his buyers. I always tell buyers if there is more than 1 person interested and who ever shows up first gets my item

Sep 13, 2009 at 09:57 PM

John Power
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p.2 #18 · My Craigslist horror story

trenchmonkey wrote:
That positively blows, Paul.

The guy should get run over by a train...twice.

No. I think he should be hit over the head with a pipe wrench. Got one?

Sep 14, 2009 at 03:28 PM

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p.2 #19 · My Craigslist horror story

John Power wrote:
trenchmonkey wrote:
That positively blows, Paul.

The guy should get run over by a train...twice.

No. I think he should be hit over the head with a pipe wrench. Got one?

As a matter of fact, I do

I'm a firm believer in Karma.
He may have thought like everyone else, first one with the money wins. But, when I call you, say it's going to take me X long to get there, and I'm on my way, then I cal you from the road with an update, I'm going to be there.

But, two wrongs don't make a right. I've since got a smoking deal on the lens I was really looking for, off Craigslist. So it works out sometimes.

The guy also had a Nikon 200mm F2, which I told him I was looking forward to seeing, since I've never even been in the same room at "fat boy". Bummer.

Sep 14, 2009 at 05:02 PM

CDalessandro
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p.2 #20 · My Craigslist horror story

I know this will not make you feel any better..but, it is proven, "What goes around ALWAYS comes around"...unfortunately most don't put the thoughts together when sh** happens that it is paying them back for xyz..
Move on, continue to be the person with integrity...it is rare today. Don't let the scum of the earth change you if he does you will be what he is..YUK!
Just think, it might have been divine intervention...Good luck!!

Sep 16, 2009 at 03:15 AM

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