Craig's List?

mgsmith9 · #1 07-30-2010, 11:33 PM

Ok, I just wanted other peoples opinion on buying stuff (face to face) off of craig's list?

Here is the scenario, I live in a medium sized city in Louisiana whose music scene is decent, but doesn't have many people selling used gear. I have checked around in other nearby cities but again have found none of the things I am searching for. I did find some of the things here on TB but not all. However, tonight I searched Atlanta since I will be traveling there in just about a month for a football game, and noticed the craig's list up there has nearly everything I want to buy and at very reasonable prices.

I know I have seen many a post about stupid/ignorant/funny craig's list ads, but I am really wondering would anyone buy from CL if the opportunity presented itself, like it has in my case?

254 stringer · #2 07-30-2010, 11:42 PM

I sell all the time and buy when the deal is good just meet in a public place in a good part of town I would not go to anybodys house with cash on me in a strange town or even in my home town

mgsmith9 · #3 07-30-2010, 11:47 PM

Well yea, I asked if we could meet at or near the hotel I am gonna be staying at because I would feel more comfortable and not get lost in ATL lol. I've always kinda been skeptical about craigslist, it feels kinda reassuring knowing that not everyone is a scam artist there. Thanks!

254 stringer · #4 07-30-2010, 11:55 PM

Just be careful if you have any doubts don't do it and ask for as many pictures as you need I never mind answering questions and sending emails back and forth if I know I'm gonna make a sell

ourworldisgrey · #5 07-30-2010, 11:55 PM

I've sold some stuff on there before, just meet during the day in a (preferably relatively) public place. You'll be fine. I've gone to a guy's house to get a bass cab, and he had a set-up to try it out and I ended up getting to try out a 1977 Gibson Grabber bass that he had. Not everyone on CL is sketchy.

cableguy · #6 07-30-2010, 11:57 PM

You can find some great dals on c-list. But there are also scammers so just know what you're looking for. I wouldn't go off the beaten path or invite a stranger to my home with a lot of cash for a big purchase. I've bought a G&L bass and a SWR 4X10 for great prices so I'm a happy camper with those buys.

Good Luck

mgsmith9 · #7 08-08-2010, 11:16 PM

Just a follow up for this, i actually did buy what i had mentioned in my OP, but the seller agreed to ship it to me for a nominal fee (we basically ended up splitting shipping 50/50). It was a Samson Airline 77 Wireless. I got it the other day and love it, was exactly as described and sounds great. I couldn't be happier (and it was almost $150 off MSRP).

SurferJoe46 · #8 08-10-2010, 12:04 AM

I've made a few deals where we meet at the public library - inside the library actually.

Another time I met a buyer at GC and we made the deal in the parking lot on a bright sunny day. Then I went inside and bought what I wanted new.

Pilgrim · #9 08-10-2010, 09:44 AM

Craigslist (not "Craig's List") is a good way to buy and sell - just be safe. Don't open your home to a stranger and don't go down dark alleys to finish a deal. Use your head and you'll be fine.

DRafalske · #10 08-10-2010, 12:44 PM

I've had pretty good luck buying and selling stuff on Craigslist.
Like others have posted, a little common sense goes a long way.

BASSnSPEED · #11 08-10-2010, 12:57 PM

Don't let the stuff you have read scare you away from CL.

I've bought seriously like 30 things from CL over the past few years. I bought my STi on there, EVERY bit of my bass gear (usually at 1/3-1/2 of the original price, I consider half of new or less to be a good deal), bought and sold video game systems, my bowflex, all kinds of stuff.

I usually opt to just meet someone in a grocery store parking lot, very slim odds they'll do something sketchy. It's kind of funny, last night I had a guy stand me up that I was supposed to meet from CL and buy a bass from. He was seriously the ONLY person that has ever stood me up.

The only time I've ever gone to someone's house or they came to mine was when I was selling stuff that you really want to test (like a guitar). I guess if you really need to test something you could also get them to meet you at a guitar store so you can both go in and test it with the store's gear.

Bassman7PM · #12 08-10-2010, 01:09 PM

I can't begin to tell you how much stuff I've bought and sold over the years using CL. In every case except one I arrange to meet face to face either at my home or theres especially when it comes to musical gear. Other small stuff like Ipods, Mp3 players, etc I prefer to meet at a Starbucks or McDonalds. If I go to someones home I take my son with me. If a female is coming over I'll let her know that either my wife or daughter will be home with me. Overall CL can be a great place to buy from others but be careful and use wisdom. Oh, the one exception was with my Carvin B1500, guy in another state was selling it dirt cheap in great condition. We exchanged information, emailed and talked a few times and I got the internal green light to move forward with the deal. Turned out to be a real great seller.

electracoyote · #13 08-10-2010, 01:13 PM

Yes, buying selling trading on CL is legit, just keep your wits about you. E-mail and phone calls are great opportunities to screen for nut jobs. Don't go down any dark alleys without someone to watch your back. Meet at neutral public locations if possible, although I've gone to people's houses and vice-versa for transactions (know what part of town you're in). You know the drill, be a responsible adult. There's gold in them thar hills. I'm lining up a sweet trade bass-for-bass straight up with someone on CL as we speak.

picklebarrel · #14 08-10-2010, 01:21 PM

I like meeting people in the parking lot of GC since I work right next door to it and musicians usually find themselves in the area anyway. I've gone to peoples' houses with a friend and it's always been fine. I'm a bit wary of having people come to my house since all of my music gear is in one room that's not connected to my house. Maybe I'm paranoid but I'm always afraid someone will take note of all of the music gear and come back and steal stuff.

Other than that, it's pretty easy to tell when a situation might be shady. If you are talking back and forth with someone you can tell just from the vibes. Or, just do a little research. I always copy and paste the person's email address and search google to see what comes up. You can usually find someone's facebook, twitter, etc or maybe even their posts on a forum like this.

Plays_For_Dog · #15 08-10-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

You can find some great dals on c-list. But there are also scammers so just know what you're looking for. I wouldn't go off the beaten path or invite a stranger to my home with a lot of cash for a big purchase. I've bought a G&L bass and a SWR 4X10 for great prices so I'm a happy camper with those buys.

Good Luck

I was going to post I sold my SWR 4x10 on CL. Maybe that was you? I was in Arlington at the time and the guy who came up was on a buying spree. He had another cab in the car and was going to look at a third when he left my work with my old 4x10. If that was you, glad it's still working out for you! It was a great cab for me and I had a hard time parting with it. This was about or just over a year ago.

Jayhawk · #16 08-10-2010, 01:30 PM

I've bought and sold using CL in both public and private settings. Most people are straight with you and very cool. Like anything there are occasional sketchy or odd people - so, like others have said, listen to your instincts.

Subrage · #17 08-10-2010, 01:37 PM

Bought and sold quite a few things on CL (Macbook pro's, motorcycle's, Bass's/Guitars, Cabs) Yes multiple's of each.

Just meet up at a local coffee shop / bar / any other place where there are other people around. Just use your head.

Ive yet to be stood up, but definatly have to deal with some odd ones and the ones that are running late.

essentre · #18 08-10-2010, 01:40 PM

I've both bought and sold alot off craigslist. I've gotten a lot of really good deals too. I live in NJ and I bought a Fender USA Deluxe J-Bass from someone in Arizona for an AMAZING price.

To date I really haven't had any problems, but that doesn't mean I haven't noticed "shady" situations. I think you have to go with your gut and use common sense when using craigslist. Just the other day I had someone contact me about a bass I was selling. Right away I knew it was strange. When the follow-up email they sent said "I want this bass, please send me your name, address, telephone, etc.. so I can send a check" I found that a little strange.

Basically, just be careful.

Rockmusician · #19 12-20-2010, 08:57 PM

I found a guy sellling a Carvin LB75 on Craigslist. He was the original owner. He had it built 7 years ago and paid around $1,200. I met him tonight at McDonald's and paid $350 for it. Most fast food places have camera's so I figured it was a good place to meet. The seller was a very nice guy. As long as you meet face to face and in a public place, there is no reason not to buy from someone on Craigslist. I sold a 76 P Bass on CL a few years ago. We also met face to face and exchanged cash.

**Matt Lake** · #20 12-20-2010, 09:31 PM

There are people who want you to reply to their email so they can harvest your email address to sell to email list brokers. I've gotten several strange emails through CL where I could tell they didn't actually read my listing, They were just trying to get me to respond by email. Their message would say something like "I want your item. Do you still have it for sale" or " That seems a bit pricey, would you take less?"
Also, there are robot computers scanning CL ads for phone numbers. That's why you will see adds that spell out part of the phone number (so the robots won't pick it up). I think they sell those too, since home phones are becoming less and cell phone numbers are unlisted.

I've bought and sold a lot gear on CL and have had great results. And since it's usually local, there's no shipping costs. Just like E-bay or anywhere else, it's mostly good people and a few bad apples. Just be carefull.