Did I ever say that Craigslist sucks???

[1BigDog]

So far my 99 has received about 8 responses from CL. One no show, 5 off shore paypal scammers and another possible scammer on the stage right now. One offer of 4 grand..what a putz...If this last one is a scammer then im pulling my ads. That place just sucks.

[Carbon_One]

Unfortunately that is the norm rather than the exception you've experienced. I've have better results using trading times.

Larry

[etcswjoe]

I bought my last Venture off of Craigslist I think the guy was surprised when I actually showed up.

[ragtop69gs]

To reduce the number of scammer that reply to your ad, do as I do.

When I post an ad on CL I disable email replies and put in the ad MUST CALL, I then give a google phone number that is linked to my cell phone, scammers won't call, they just move on to the next ad they can email.

When I put the phone number in the ad I mix numbers, letters and written numbers to foil automated phone number mining software. This method has worked well for me, I very seldom will get a call that is not a genuine buyer inquiry. If they want additional pictures I ad them to my CL post, never send them direct from my email.

 

[Peder_y2k]

Must be your neighborhood. I've used my Seattle Craigslist with great success for a number of years now. Sold cars and trucks and motorcycles and machinery and parts, some interstate with zero problems. Sure there are flakes and no-shows and scams, but one learns how to spot them and deal with them accordingly, just like everyday dealings.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[Condor]

I bought my '99RSV off Craigslist for $4100 with 47K on the odo, and it had a ton of bling.... I needed a camper shell for my new2me Nissan Titan, and picked up a Snug Top Saturday afternoon in mint condition for $875. I was looking at laying out $2200 plus tax for a new one.. I've also sold a few things...mostly fishing equipment.... So I'm happy with what I've experienced. I've found that if it's priced right, it'll sell.... I generally put Cash'n'Carry in the ad and they have to email me for more info. I usually delete the responses that arrive in the first couple of hours from somebody that sez he'll take it and send him my info... They're scammers.

[etcswjoe]

I have an e-mail address srticlty for craigslist.

[Venturous Randy]

I have had very good success with CL, both buying and selling. As noted, there are some things you can do to make it better. I have sold some things that the buyer would never had much of a chance finding if I had only used the local trader, as they were not local.

Don't blame CL, just learn to work around the scammers.

RandyA

[Barrycuda]

Jeff, I feel ya. Hang tight Jeff, something will come along

Edited December 9, 2013 by Barrycuda

[Venturous]

Craiglist has been good for me as well. Both buying and selling. Sold a jetski and RV recently. I do as others mentioned and I do not list an email address at all. I list a phone number and ask them to either call or text. I make sure I mention "not interested in trades of any sort. Cash only" That cuts down on a lot of the hairbrained propositions I got.

 

Finally, when I list the phone number, I do so like this... Four five six - 555 - one two one two. That seems to help prevent the number from being harvested by bots.

[cowpuc]

You gotta take Craigs for what it is, just another tool and like most tools can be used for good or bad. I have successfully sold a lot of stuff thru Craigs too BUT always get my fair share of scammers. Like mentioned, you gotta take the good with the bad. Learn to sort em out, in a very short time you can identify most data collectors pretty easily.

One of the really nice features of Craigs is its FREE!! I have also met lots and lots of really great folks thru craigs and only a couple losers. On the same token though, there are some really bad people out there (scammers) that would be fun to do a burnout on..

I was also an avid ebay seller thru the years but had some major business issues with them after they bought Paypal. One of the things I learned in life and college about the free enterprise system is that the market sets the value, in other words - it doesnt matter what I think an item is worth, it only matters what people are willing to pay. That said, now I use Ebay a lot for market research, just to see what the "real" value of any particular item is. I have found that pricing a little below a simular item selling on Ebay on Craigs brings pretty good results.. If you use this strategy though ya gotta remember that lots of folks use credit when purchasing thru ebay (paypal,,) so this can change the target market considerably. This goofy economy seems to have brought a little shortage of cold hard cash..

[Rick Haywood]

Put in pickup only and cash only that solves the bull crap

[Squidley]

When I post an ad on CL I disable email replies

 

Jay,

 

Is there a setting that you go into on CL that you can do this? I went to my account to do just what you mentioned, but perhaps I'm too dense to figure it out

[Condor]

Jay,

 

Is there a setting that you go into on CL that you can do this? I went to my account to do just what you mentioned, but perhaps I'm too dense to figure it out

 

I'm not sure what the problem is about using the secure hidden email feature on Craigslist, and don't put your phone number in the ad. Just request that they respond with their telephone number, and they'll never see your actual email address unless you reply back to their response.... You're in the drivers seat... call them back. It's pretty easy to weed out the jerks. If they're willing to send you their info, it generally means they're serious.... That's what I'll do if I'm interested. Never had a problem yet.

 

[Squidley]

I'm not sure what the problem is about using the secure hidden email feature on Craigslist, and don't put your phone number in the ad. Just request that they respond with their telephone number, and they'll never see your actual email address unless you reply back to their response.... You're in the drivers seat... call them back. It's pretty easy to weed out the jerks. If they're willing to send you their info, it generally means they're serious.... That's what I'll do if I'm interested. Never had a problem yet.

 

 

I might be misunderstanding Jay then, I never have them contact me at my email, it's always through CL reroute. I was thinking that there was a way to make it so nobody could get ahold of you through email, just a call or text. I always break the phone number up, I dont get too many of the spams, I spot them a mile away.

[ragtop69gs]

Jay,

 

Is there a setting that you go into on CL that you can do this? I went to my account to do just what you mentioned, but perhaps I'm too dense to figure it out

 

Brad, there is a spot on the page you write the ad on that gives you options on how you want to receive replies , im on my cell now, when I get home i'll get a screenshot for you.

 

I'm not sure what the problem is about using the secure hidden email feature on Craigslist, and don't put your phone number in the ad. Just request that they respond with their telephone number, and they'll never see your actual email address unless you reply back to their response.... You're in the drivers seat... call them back. It's pretty easy to weed out the jerks. If they're willing to send you their info, it generally means they're serious.... That's what I'll do if I'm interested. Never had a problem yet.

 

 

Even an anonamous email brings all those scam offers you must weed thru, why bother? If they're willing to call , they're usually a real buyer or tire kicker. All they know of me at first is a google number that I can dump if needed and have a new one in 5 minutes.

[Hummingbird]

I use CL all the time for a lot of different items. What I have found tho is that if I priced an item too high for what it is (ie: 10" wood planer $400 when it actually should be $50 or $60 ) I get either no responses or scammers.

 

product and price have to be a matched set or priced less if you want to move it. A motorcycle that has a lot of custom work and additions probably doesn't belong on CL, should go to ebay with a reserve.

Ebay has a much larger audience - and a more reputable audience

[djh3]

I realize the chrome and extra goodies are apealing to us. But when it comes right down to it, if a fellow is looking to finance a bike the chrome bit dont mean nothing. The bank dont loan money on chrome. Some bits like the luggage rack and tip over bars they will. Well for the most part, some pieces are listed but over all thats how I look at it. Hard to stomach paying a couple hundred for that fancy piece and it really doesnt add value.

I have had OK luck on CL. Not sold alot of stuff but no scammer troubles I can speak of. I sold a rae car finnaly last Jan. Listed it off an on for 2yr or more before got a serious buyer.

[Guest]

Looks like im gonna pull my CL listings. And some of you are right. Maybe for the year the price is a little high but try and do all of this rebuild stuff to a stock bike and you will well exceed the listed price. And im not just talking about the chrome either. I even received

an email from someone referring to my ad here at VR but sent me an email outside of this site, not through it, from out of the country so we may not be safe either.

[Squidley]

Jeff,

 

I find unless your giving something away these days at pennies on the dollar, nobody is buying anything. I have had things that I have been trying to sell and that seems to be the case. The economy sucks, regardless of what the govt and press will say. Folks aren't spending money because they dont know what the hell is going to happen. I wish you luck my friend, If my money situation was better I would fly to Florida and ride that bike back to Texas.

[dacheedah]

ive bought on cl and sold on cl. the cost of free is dealing with it but it's easy to weed out scammers. you can check a dns on the server they are using to determine their location.

[Guest]

I know how to pick out the scammers its just the fact that there are so many on CL to begin with.

 

I rode the bike the last two days. Day 1 I felt ok and was reconsidering selling but yesterday I was a bit disoriented and slow to react to things so it still has to go.