Safe purchase through craigslist?

[OldSchool50]

I'm tring to buy a bass on craiglist that's too far to see in person. I've read a while ago about a way to do this through UPS or other service where they hold the bass, you pay when you pick it up and they make payment to the seller. Does this sound familiar. Can anyone suggest other options that will accomplish the same while protecting buyer and seller? Thanks.

 

[bassicmike]

Personally, I won't purchase an instrument unless I've held it in my hands.

I recently went to check out a very nice bass of a type I've always wanted. As soon as i held it, I knew I didn't want it. The neck just didn't feel right

But you do you. And do your due diligence on the seller. Definitely find out how he plans to ship the bass, even insist upon pics of the shipping prep.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I did a "half way" meet up years ago when I sold my upright. I was in Bakersfield, the buyer was in San Diego. Drove 2 hours out to Apple Valley to meet up, only to have the guy start hemming and hawing and offering less than asking.
I ended up selling him the bass, because I needed the money, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Now, I'm a "in town " or nothing guy.

 

[ELG60]

I had great luck with my first of two Japanese Market 75 reissue Jazz basses with a craigslist deal. Once I spoke with the seller on the phone, the level of trust was fine. I sent him a PMO next-day delivery, and as an added bonus, he owned a car dealership so it was shipped for like 30 bucks. YMMV.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

14 hour RT

So Anyway, never heard of UPS offering an open-box inspection at their store, but I don't ship/receive a lot of stuff.
A couple of questions:

• Is the bass something special? Vintage, rare, discontinued, etc? Or is a new one available?
• Is it located in an area you'd like to visit? A 14-hour RT for me would include a night in a hotel. Maybe two.

I've made a couple of deals where the seller didn't want to ship, so I made arrangements with the local UPS store. But I paid the seller before it left his house. I also sold a bass on CL to a guy who did a 10-hour RT.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[devnulljp]

You could just dig a hole in your back yard, put the money in, and set it on fire. Same outcome.

 

[Kevin Hailey]

You could just dig a hole in your back yard, put the money in, and set it on fire. Same outcome.

Nah, that would be way quicker and easier

 

[ashtray]

14 hour RT

That's kinda crazy - you'd have to decide if it's worth the full day+ drive, otherwise it's not on the board as something you can buy. The only other option is if you have a friend that lives nearby there, send the money to your friend, and have them go check it out.

That said, craigslist sells can be anyone, including scammers who will meet you in a parking lot: you bring the cash, they bring some people or other ways to part the cash from you. Advertise something cheap that you don't even have, and dozens of people are lined up to bring cash to you! They can set up a dozen meets across the city and clean up!

So before sending a friend, or yourself, to meet up with a stranger - vet them as much as possible.

But 14 hours away sounds like a deal you'll just have to pass on - unless they are willing to list it on ebay or reverb and you buy it through that path, with buyer protections.

 

[Lobster11]

This is a non-starter unless you are jonesin' for this particular bass so hard that you'd be willing to do the 14-hour round-trip to check it out in person.

 

[Albert Ross]

I haven't done this on a CL transaction, and it's probably way too cumbersome of a method for that kind of sale, but Ive used this method for buying used gear from an unknown seller before.

This method absolutely requires a reliable third party. The third party could be anyone trusted by both the buyer and the seller. Maybe a luthier, music store/school, or trusted private educator.

Basically it goes like this: After sharing information about the gear, the buyer and seller agree on a price. The buyer then gives the money to the third party. When the third party confirms that the money is in hand, then the seller ships the gear to the third party. The buyer then checks out the gear at the third party's spot while under the third party's supervision. If the gear is satisfactory, then the third party sends the money to the seller. When the seller says that the money is good, then the third party releases the gear to the buyer. If the gear isn't satisfactory, then the third party returns it to the seller.

The shipping can be worked out in a bunch of ways, but typically the seller pays the shipping to the third party, and the buyer pays the return shipping if necessary.

The third party's fee is agreed upon by everyone before hand and is usually shared by the buyer and seller.

 

[OldSchool50]

I'm the original poster with an update. The bass is quite special, fairly rare and great condition. I get a good feeling from the seller. He has offered to meet me part way, but still an 8 hour RT for me, which I'm not inclined to do, especially in winter. We spoke by phone today and I feel confident he's legit. He's concerned about the nitro finish and was not inclined to ship in winter, but now he's considering it. I know all the caveats about shipping in winter. (Acclimate box and then case slowly, at least 24 hours.)Hope for an agreeable solution and will report back.
Thanks to all who responded with ideas, suggestions or strong feelings.
QUESTION: has anyone used Pirate Shipping to sent UPS? How did it go?

 

[OldSchool50]

I haven't done this on a CL transaction, and it's probably way too cumbersome of a method for that kind of sale, but Ive used this method for buying used gear from an unknown seller before.

Thanks to Albert Ross for his informative and clever suggestion. Not easy to accomplish but definitely an option for that "have to have" bass.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Not fer nuthin', but I once had a bass listed for sale on cl and a potential buyer reached out to me asking if they paypal'd me the funds would I ship it. I said "yes". They sent the funds via PayPal, I shipped the bass. Worked out fine.

 

[Daniel B5]

About a month ago I faced a similar scenario, except it was listed on Kijiji (much more popular than CL in Canada) and would have been a 25 hour drive in central Canada. Which... No.

Went back and forth with the seller; good communications. I suggested PayPal G&S, which they had never used before (and neither had I). They countered with "how about I just ship you the bass, and you pay me if it measures up?"

And that's how I purchased the most expensive bass I've ever owned, a Dingwall AB1 in terrific condition, for under $3,000 CAD (including the Gator hardshell it shipped in). It was a gamble, and it could have very easily gone sideways, but it didn't.

I think PayPal G&S is still the best option if you want to go this route, and I wouldn't recommend taking the risk that I did... but it turns out that there are still some honest people out there.

 

[Daniel B5]

Oh and the generic term for the service that UPS offers is "escrow", if that helps your search for alternatives. As a Canuck I'm not sure what other options you have in the States.

 

[devnulljp]

Basically it goes like this: After sharing information about the gear, the buyer and seller agree on a price. The buyer then gives the money to the third party. When the third party confirms that the money is in hand, then the seller ships the gear to the third party. The buyer then checks out the gear at the third party's spot while under the third party's supervision. If the gear is satisfactory, then the third party sends the money to the seller. When the seller says that the money is good, then the third party releases the gear to the buyer. If the gear isn't satisfactory, then the third party returns it to the seller.

You just described Hawala, 1000+-year old Indian/Persian value transfer system.

 

[beaglesandbass]

PayPal G/S. Record a video of you opening and inspecting the bass (from closed/sealed box to complete inspection, one continuous take). In the event of any issues, file a claim and you have video backing you.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

never CL at a distance.

you're only safe option is a "meet up" and CASH:

• somewhere agreed apon/halfway/public
• or if they have someone local to purchase for them.

if these ^^^ arent acceptable ...its not worth the sale/purchase.

 

[brianrost]

14 hour RT

I did that once to buy a Juzek DB that Bob Gollihur told me about.

 

[planetdrumz]

Not worth the risk. If you cant see it in person, i'd look elsewhere

 

[OldSchool50]

I'm the original poster. I wouldn't necessarily recommend to everyone, but if buyer and seller on craigslist do due diligence it can be a success. I did purchase the mentioned 1983 Fender AVRI Jazz bass in 3b and it worked out fine. It's in gorgeous condition at a very fair price. The seller even hooked us up with Pirate ship, for budget shipping and the went smoothly. We spoke several times in the lead-up and exchanged info. Overall a very good experience.My two other similar long distance CL purchases were two Pedullas. Those also went smoothly. I have some journalism skills from a previous life that came in handy. I try to go in trusting people but definitely make the effort to verify. Your mileage may vary.