Craigslist inquiry.

[Larry Mal]

There are two choices with PayPal, I'm surprised no one has brought this up.

There is the "family and friends" method, where you simply send money to someone. It's free, and PayPal takes no responsibility for anything.

But then there is the method of Purchases, which does cost money, a few percent as I recall. That provides you with PayPal's protection.

For instance, if I sold someone a guitar that I didn't know, I would tell them to spend the extra money and have the protection. That way if there is a problem, PayPal gets involved.

It's up to you as the buyer, so just pay the money, get the protection, and make the deal.

How to use PayPal Friends and Family—and how not to use it | ZipBooks

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Maybe ask if there is a TBer who would go look at it for you and provide his opinion.

This is my thought, put out a post on what's up, see if there's a club for that area like we have the WI one. Maybe you could get a willing volunteer to assist. You could offer some amount of extra $$ for that person to get lunch to or something for their help?

If you're really intent on that particular bass it might work. I did that once but not through TB. Friend was in Milwaukee and the bass was near me (about 2 hrs away)

 

[kmon]

I've done this here and there. I ask for ebay, reverb, TB references etc. I talk to the seller and use the spidey senses to determine whether they seem to have it together. Someone with an expensive bass will likely be able to talk about gear somewhat intelligently. An acceptable level of trust can be established pretty quickly.

I haven't been scammed. All in all I'd rather buy from ebay or reverb or TB, but I wouldn't hesitate too much on CL if it was something really special.

 

[Neo1]

I'd first search my family tree and network of old friends, and see if anyone I know/knew is living there (it's why I search Craigslist occasionally in Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Montana, etc. even though I'm in NY - I have family in those cities). I would even sweeten the deal if I asked a friend or family member to purchase it for me (pay them for their troubles, including all of the shipping, and then more on top of that to make them not resent me). I have done this twice (not bass-related), but wouldn't use it unless something was very rare and desired by me.

Maybe someone here needs to create some TB service that does this (since we're EVERYWHERE)?

 

[skycruiser]

See if the seller will do a demo of the gear on a Zoom meeting that you can record (with permission). The face-to-face interaction might give you a better feeling about the deal. It will also make the seller less inclined to do any funny business knowing you have a video recording of the interaction that could include discussion of details of the transaction. I have offered this for local craigslist items I have listed since it takes almost no effort to run a meeting and demo the gear.

 

[Green Knight]

Ask him to put it on Reverb at an agreed-upon price that includes fees and taxes?

 

[christpncher]

Ask him to put it on Reverb at an agreed-upon price that includes fees and taxes?

sounds simple, yet in my experience the only reason sellers still use Craigslist is because they dont want to ship a guitar or bass. dont be surprised if the sellers says local sale only

 

[electracoyote]

I've done successful long-distance transactions via CL. As others have said, you need to establish a rapport and trust. Paying via PayPal or CC affords you the probability of some protections (notice the ambiguity and disclaimer). The trick would be ensuring the seller that you won't pull the rug out from under him. Allowing him to postpone shipment until he secures and insulates the payment is one solution for seller confidence. Then the buyer is the one who has to cross his fingers. And so it goes. Rapport is the main thing, phone/e-mail/text/SM chats, establishing proof of identity and transaction histories, etc. Two ethically sound people could do this easily.

I've only done it a couple of times, and had positive results. That being said, this has everything to do with your personal comfort level, your level of trust in mankind, and your vetting/diplomacy skills. Anyone feeling unsure, I would fully understand balking at the idea. Any resistance or odd/inconsistent behavior, or minor clash, no matter how seemingly innocent, is a big red flag and grounds to abort.

I liked the Reverb idea above, if you can convince a total stranger to go that length. Offering to pick up all related costs, including professional boxing and packing, could sweeten the pot.

 

[db59]

Some type of simultaneously "beaming" of bass and money

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hello all.

I have been literally searching the world for a certain, apparently rare bass. I have had about a 98% good luck rate on buying through eBay Reverb and (locally) Craigslist. I have purchased many basses and gear this way. EBay and reverb are pretty safe for the buyer and will support a return and refund if not satisfied, damaged or its not as described etc. So far all my CL purchases have been in person...contact make a deal, meet somewhere pay cash, drive away happy. That's the back story.

So I finally have found my bass! Problem is its a CL ad in Los Angles CA and I'm in NY! How do I get this bass, it seem to be a lot about trust, but how can I get a guarantee from this guy? On my end I easily send him money through paypal. I'm not asking for a return policy necessarily, just how can I be sure he will even ship the bass?

Weird question I know, any help would be awesome as I don't want to miss this thing.

Thanks

Get on a plane and go to LA. So it’s a $400 add on to the cost of the bass. Pretty cheap insurance to get exactly what you pay for. Otherwise, you are rolling the dice.

 

[GreggBummer]

I'm in NJ. I had a buyer for a listing on my local Craigs List who lived in Nevada. I offered to list on ebay, he would pay shipping and fees. We haggled a bit. The gentleman agreed and I shipped it the same day. It was pretty easy. We both expressed the same concerns about getting ripped off. We agreed that this was the best way to do it.

I think its reasonable to expect someone on the other side of a transaction to protect themselves.

 

[Huw Phillips]

How about asking a local music shop to appraise the bass and ship it to you ?

 

[C Stone]

Ask the seller how motivated they are (some need cash and want a quick sale) ask the seller if they are willing to ship then have them drop off at any ups store they offer PACKING AND SHIPPING. It'll cost extra $$$ though. Have seller give you the store info and employee's name to verify what is being packed/shipped (maybe even ask seller for a pic of item at store) pain in the butt but unlikely someone would go to all that trouble then and stiff you. After verification do the paypal x-fer...

 

[MultiScaleMale]

He (assuming he) is in a large market and will have no problem selling locally. You would have to make it worth their while to ship to you. Look at it from their perspective, just about anything you do will look like a potential rip off. Your best bet is to find someone locally who will do the purchase for you. I'm not near there, but would I? Nope. Basically the person would become a broker and take on any risk from both buyer and seller. I get jumped, money stolen, I owe the buyer money. Truss rod doesn't work right? PayPal claim against me. Shipping issue, claim. There just isn't an upside for a neutral party to just help out.

 

[DaDo625]

C'mon man -- what's the bass? (Don't worry I'm in neither L.A. nor a buying position so I won't poach, promise.)

Two pages and we don't know what it is that drives this cross country demand?
And did you put something in our very own "want to buy" section?

Our whole reason for being is enable each other to get/buy more gear...you must empower us to help (enable) you...

And GLWTB no matter what...we all want you to be happy...

 

[dalkowski]

Look at it from their perspective, just about anything you do will look like a potential rip off. .

This. Someone said earlier that they don't see all that many scam sellers in CL but speaking from experience: You post an ad and the scambots come out in force, all very interested in your wares.

 

[lfmn16]

The people that are saying "wait for one closer" have obviously never looked for a rare item. I have a few wish list items I've been looking for for a couple of years and they haven't come up at all, let alone come up close to me.

OP - I agree with the asking the seller if they'd list it on eBay or Reverb and you pay all expenses - IF you want it bad enough.

 

[gln1955]

How about asking a local music shop to appraise the bass and ship it to you ?

I can't imagine a music shop wanting to get involved in someone else's transaction without a hefty consignment fee. For something rare and pricey that might be more than airfare.

 

[Thomas998]

sounds simple, yet in my experience the only reason sellers still use Craigslist is because they dont want to ship a guitar or bass. dont be surprised if the sellers says local sale only

it isn't shipping that turns me off ebay, it is the percent you lose to ebay and PayPal that gets me to only use craigslist.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

it isn't shipping that turns me off ebay, it is the percent you lose to ebay and PayPal that gets me to only use craigslist.

I generally get access to a larger audience and thus higher prices that more than make up for the difference.