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My New Zero Tolerance Craigslist Attitude.
- Thread starter FingerDub
- Start date
- Status
He didn’t blow a gasket. He cancelled the transaction. The seller was not obligated to open his home to a CL stranger he didn’t trust because of used gear buying etiquette. The seller acted responsibly when he sensed the guy was a flake so he sent him home. I’m sure his family and neighbors appreciate it.
Some people will say anything to be the first poster at the top of the 30th page.
Nah. Haggling has been going on for centuries. Since money was invented.
Did you pay full sticker for every car you've ever bought?
Could be. I still think he's BSing. Ask him to show you his receipt for lunch.
He was an okay guy actually. Met him today.
Traded a lesser helmet worth maybe $40 and an acoustic guitar maybe worth $50 and took home a Fender Strat-acoustic with a Bartolini pickup. The pickup cost about $100 new. Not exactly an in-the-wrapper beauty but we were both happy and no money changed hands. Kind of a cool guitar. I had never seen one before.
Since I had some good karma going (because I didn't get mad about his silly offer) I stopped at a thrift store on the way home... got another acoustic guitar with a nice stand for $18 out the door.
See what can happen if you keep a cool head about goofy CL deals?
Haggling has been around since before currency.
You want two goats for that wheel?
I'll give you one!
Oh yeah? Now the price is four goats!
You can just turn your caravan around & head home, LOL!
Got my license in 1985, but I've never bought a new car. If the Craigslist ad says 'firm' I don't try to haggle. Same with all of my amps and cabs that were bought used, as well as my USA Spector bass, which I bought at a local brick and mortar that's not GC (note I didn't kick the tires there before ordering it online cheaper.)
And no, I'm not at all wealthy. Quite the opposite in fact
Adamixoye
A PT Pro is cool for worship, right?
- Apr 9, 2012
- 18,158
- 69,338
- Disclosures
- Occasional Beta Tester for Confusion Studios, Singular Sound, and Source Audio
I've been with this for 30 pages but I might as well weigh in now.
Short version, neither the buyer nor the seller come out looking great.
However, if I break it down, it's like this:
Interestingly, note that the seller/OP is currently suspended/banned on TB; the first post in this thread was March 11th. I have no insight as to why specifically, but I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader to determine if MAYBE the seller doesn't have the coolest of heads...
Short version, neither the buyer nor the seller come out looking great.
However, if I break it down, it's like this:
- Buyer makes a faux pas, but I don't believe with malicious intent: trying to knock off a few bucks. I don't totally understand the sequence of events, but I think there are multiple reasonable interpretations regarding whether or not the buyer was trying to get away with something re: how close he was.
- Seller escalated by taking it personally. "Sorry, the price is firm at $600" would have been perfectly appropriate, and avoided all the nonsense.
- Buyer further escalated with profanity.
- Seller responded in kind.
Interestingly, note that the seller/OP is currently suspended/banned on TB; the first post in this thread was March 11th. I have no insight as to why specifically, but I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader to determine if MAYBE the seller doesn't have the coolest of heads...
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(Sorry @FingerDub, but that was pretty dang funny
Make the best of your stint in TB Jail, and know that I look forward to your eventual return here to Gen Pop. Cheers)
He seemed like a nice enough fella. Do you think he’d mind if I used his avatar photo?
He did seem nice enough.
It's quite an accomplishment to start a thread that goes on and on like this one.
We should keep it going in his honor until he gets out of solitary confinement.
BTW I think that none of us would mind it if you used pretty much any avatar photo.
Wow, I had no idea you could be banned AND suspended! Double secret probation. </movie ref>
There's an old saying that I learned in every sales job I've had (cars, real estate, retail, etc.) and that's 'Buyers are liars' so just expect in going in. I've bought and sold lots of stuff at from CL and have never had any problems.
I had a guy come over to my house to look at an old Suburban I was selling for $1,200 which I would have taken 1k for.
He used the technique of spending an inordinate amount of time looking at every nut and bolt hoping that I would start lowering my ask. After about 30 minutes of chit chat in the driveway, I just told him I was going inside and to knock on the door when he's ready to deal. He knocked after another 30 minutes and I think he bought for $850 which was fine since I just wanted it gone.
I rarely haggle when buying unless the condition is not as expected but always have the full amount on hand in case the seller is firm. I also NEVER entertain a 'What's the least you'll take?' kind of offer via email, text, or phone. Haggling only happens face to face on local sales.
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