• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sorry, I am not a delivery service.

#41
Axtman said:
I have been selling a few items locally through Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. More and more, it seems people want me to deliver the item to them. I don't get it.

I want people to check out the item at my house. That way, they can't return to me and say it does not work.

Has Amazon Prime ruined it for everyone?
Click to expand...
I don't always mind in town but it depends on the item. I had a guy ask me if I'd deliver to a town four hours out... And he wanted to haggle. Yeah he didn't appreciate the laughing emoji, but honestly, buddy's in a town four hours out and wanted half price, not every deal is worth consideration.

But some requests are reasonable and I try to accommodate, and I bake haggling into every price I set - I work on beat up old bikes and the odd guitar or amp, it makes some beer money. You meet a lot of folks, most of them nice, but weirdos and jerks are out there - just remember to NEVER advertise trades, you'll rarely see anything interesting; never get angry about an offer or really anything that isn't disrespect; and the ultimate power move is just walking away - I'm not starving if I don't sell this supercycle, I can wait for the guy that'll give me fifty bucks.

You probably know all of that OP, but somebody who's reading this might need it.
 
Last edited:
#42
PennyroyalWe said:
I would way rather deliver if they're in town than have strangers coming to my house. Your worried about a disgruntled person asking for a return? You should be way more worried about a disgruntled person knowing where you live. Best yet, public meet up.

Regardless of where the meeting is, I'm armed. I've been lucky so far and not had any sketchy interactions, but I know of folks who haven't been so lucky.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine being so worried about bad stuff like that, and even mentioning weapons.
Am I too naive, lucky, or it's just a bit different around here? 🤷

(just "typing out loud", not interested in getting into comparisons of place of residence or any other sillinesseseses)
 
  • Like
Reactions: KenSmithFan, smurfco and PennyroyalWe
#44
mcnach said:
I can't imagine being so worried about bad stuff like that, and even mentioning weapons.
Am I too naive, lucky, or it's just a bit different around here? 🤷

(just "typing out loud", not interested in getting into comparisons of place of residence or any other sillinesseseses)
Click to expand...
I imagine not being in the US is a huge plus, in terms of safety. I'm jealous, really.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bass Viking
#45
People on CL don't want to come to your house. They can't abduct you in your house, that's just dumb. You need to go to the fake address they provide.
When a CL "buyer" contacts you they've already done the research and have a recipe already picked out.
 
#47
I always meet people in public, usually at a coffee shop near me. I have a small Boss and battery powered amp that people can test with. Cash or Zelle only. Depending on the distance, I might meet someone halfway. I don't work, so I have the time and usually don't mind the drive.
 
#49
I hate delivering. I'll knock a few bucks off if someone comes and picks up a piece of gear that I'm selling or drops off a piece that I'm buying. I won't meet anyone halfway (i.e. we each have to drive an hour) unless something is stupid rare.

For non-music stuff for sale, I usually have them meet me on my front porch, where I have security cameras, two vicious sounding dogs, and a heavily armed wife. I also live a block away from a fire station, a few blocks further down is a police station, directly across the street is a public park.

For music stuff, a lot of times I'll know the buyer, or we'll have mutuals on Facebook or I'll know them from here, or some other place online. The few times that I didn't, I sussed them out, plus again, the dogs and the armed wife, et all.

I like to make sure that they try it before they buy it, everyone is happy kind of thing.
 
#53
I've done numerous bass transactions via Craig's List, local pickup only, cash, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. My prices are low and I carefully analyze the emails and ignore the obvious scam artists, usually saying they don't like corresponding with CL, or will have a relative pickup. I meet the actual buyer in the garage of my apartment building and have them play the bass with my Phil Jones Double Four with battery. I make sure they thoroughly checkout the bass because sale is final, no returns.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: five7
#54
I often ask for delivery. This saves me time and if the seller is motivate to sell than it works for them. Worked best at my office parking which was next to the court house so both parties felt safe. However also, depending on the item I have even left cash in my mailbox for them to grab and leave item and also the other way around. If I have to pickup, in my area I can pretty much tell what to expect by the street address and a quick Google search. Individual circumstances dictate the level of concern I will have in any case.
 
#55
Never even crossed my mind . I live in the UK and we have plenty of weirdoes here , but not armed mostly . I have found that being a 6'2 250lb skinhead who looks slightly psychotic , and looks like his net worth is about 50p tends to discourage most people from excessive weirdness . There are a lot of less painful/more profitable people to roll over . I have met some truly great folks through buying and selling . I have delivered stuff to folks if it is convenient for me and saves me dealing with the lottery of couriers . I have had plenty of folk come to my house to buy and never had a problem . I've dealt with some truly difficult people over the years in various jobs , but rarely when dealing with musical folk .
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hoochie Coochie Man, five7 and mcnach
#58
mcnach said:
I think you overestimate the value of our 'gear' in the eyes of your garden variety thief, plus you don't need to show them your place, just the bit you're selling.
Click to expand...
Public service announcement: if you are having buyers come to your house don't make the mistake of letting them try your other gear because they may change their mind. This happened to a friend of mine! :banghead:
 
  • Like
Reactions: PennyroyalWe
#59
Bass Viking said:
Public service announcement: if you are having buyers come to your house don't make the mistake of letting them try your other gear because they may change their mind. This happened to a friend of mine! :banghead:
Click to expand...
I will meet people at a local music store to check out the gear.

Random people that I meet online do not get to see what gear I have at my residence.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PennyroyalWe and Bass Viking
#60
murphy said:
I used to always invite people in....Jam on my gear...Have a nice chat.
Same in reverse...

But now , I think the world is a bit different....I still treat people with dignity and respect.
Maybe not coming in my home anymore....or maybe....I don't know
Prob not like we used to.

Of course we tied an onion on our belt, which was the style back then...
Click to expand...
Heh heh, I like the Simpsons reference. :laugh:

I used to have people come to the house but not anymore, I have them meet at the local shopping mall. Mostly I avoid the whole scene by selling on consignment at a local store.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back