Yet another Craigslist Wack-A-Doodle!

[Axtman]

Remember folks it is nothing more than a BUSINESS transaction. Try throwing a temper tantrum at Guitar Center and see where it gets you. (Years ago when I was young and stupid I threw a temper tantrum at a car dealership......they called the cops on me.)

 

[AlanSanJoseBass]

I feel your pain. I've been buying and selling stuff on Craigslist for years and have only had a few problems. In these Covid times, I often meet people at a neutral location rather than having them come to my house. If they do come to my house, I don't let them past my garage anymore.
Some of my favorite incidents are:
Only having a $100 bill to buy a $20 item. I can't remember the last time I had a $100 bill in my wallet. No, I don't have change.
Meeting at some location and then having the buyer be 1/2 hour late or more.
I had one guy come into my house to buy a guitar and then refused to leave after the sale. He wanted to sit on my couch and play the guitar all afternoon. I thought I was going to have to call the police, but he finally left.
I now live in a gated community and if you are not a resident, you have to give the security guard your name. I've had one guy that refused to do that, so no sale.

Still buying and selling things on Craigslist is much easier than eBay. You really never know what your going to end up with.

 

[dkelley]

My post was about the fact that it happens HERE, quite often, with no response. We're not talking about the same issue.

gotcha! Aren't we though? At least the basic logic seems as messed up for communication here like everywhere else LoL

Buying and selling online is a real problem for some people.

And then look at the OP with the IN PERSON part of going crazy??

basically - what I'm saying is -- wow, people suck

 

[dkelley]

I was the buyer in a CL deal just recently. Just for a music stand and guitar stand, but they are very high quality and the price was ok, and I had nothing to do that night. 30 minute drive away.

Go to his address, nothing there. Like nothing. Grass. A sign saying the name of this complex, but just grass beside the highway.

But street coming up and gps tells me I can get there by turning right there. So I do.

Drive up that road now for like 5 minutes in the pitch black, side road, and then it tells me to turn right. I see entrance to complex, thinking AH, ok, it's right!

WEll, I mean, it WAS right. But I was give a unit number of like ninety-something

In the dark I can't see a single unit number anywher,e and as I slowly drive in further I realize that this is a HUGE place when I come to an intersection in the complex that is like 6 ways with street signs. All I know is a unit number.

Spent a few minutes driving around trynig to take a guess about where I was, but realizing I could be a couple blocks down the wrong mini road and have no idea.

FB message him, he's very nice, and says "oh it's over by the little chapel". I'm like, I can't even see 2 doors ahead of me, and this place is huge, where is THAT supposed to be?

so I said to myself I'm going to go straight north and find the end, and that way I Can tell teh guy THIS is where I am, now where do I go?

like 3 minutes later I see a real road, adn sure enough I'm at an entrance. So I pull over, tell him where I am and that I can't find any way to locate his place, and he says "ok, I'll walk to you there, hang on".

few minutes later guy's walking up to my car, it's him. No mask, by the way. but he's walking so meh. So I say hi, and he says, ok, follow me, I know you can't drive me right now, so I'll just walk on ahead.

HOLY CRAP. like 15 minutes later we're at his place, adn he walks pretty fast!

all that for this stuff was kinda not worth it, but having gone this far I wasn't about to turn back empty handed.

Really nice guy, religious freak but that's ok, he was very polite and kind, although didn't seem to realize that strangers have no way of navigating in this place.

So now I have decided not to do anything like that unless it's like some killer deal on something really serious, not just a frickin music stand and guitar stand, no matter how good.

 

[KJMO]

Last thing I sold on craigslist was a preamp, and it ended up being our sound guy showing up at my door. I asked him if I could use it at our next gig ;-)

When I contact people, I try to say something that doesn't sound like a scammer. I also say "If you have it, I'll take it, given it's as it appears". Or, "I will take it if you can accept X dollars." I try to take an extra step beyond "do you still have it".

I almost think a person develops a sort of PTSD from buying and selling things. If you're generous, people take advantage. If you're not, they make you feel like a jerk. There might not be a right way to do it. Every way I do it works, until it doesn't.

 

[Brad Johnson]

gotcha! Aren't we though? At least the basic logic seems as messed up for communication here like everywhere else LoL

Buying and selling online is a real problem for some people.

And then look at the OP with the IN PERSON part of going crazy??

basically - what I'm saying is -- wow, people suck

On the one hand we have people who are bothered by people even asking the question. On the other we have the fact that once the question is answered they don't follow up... so why did they bother asking unless all they wanted to know was the availability with no interest in buying?

 

[Axtman]

This is why I would rather deal with you guys on TalkBass. At least you are normal...........uh.....um. Okay maybe not.

 

[basscooker]

I havent had much bad luck with CL, maybe I'm due. I have admittedly lost out on sales there by being honest.

For example, a younger fella came to check out one of my 1x10 cabs. Had the full asking price in cash, and even had some $5 bills to make up for any negotiating differences in case I didn't have change. We did a bit of haggling for the cab he was there for, and even some other small items I had around. Then he tells me he is upgrading from a 15 watt amp that came in his starter pack; his buddy just got a half stack. This kid was going to pair the 1x10 cab with a 500 watt head to compete with a drummer and another kid with a 50 watt tube amp and 4x12. Yikes. Needless to say I had to ask him to reconsider.

I usually "build-in" a little on the asking price expecting sooner or later someone will bring less than agreed.

Honestly though, I've done tons of sales on CL and have had darn near no flakes or shady prospective buyers. Tire kickers, sure, but really tone is so subjective I don't really mind. Hey if what I'm selling is in your price range and we both have the time, who cares? So what if it isnt your flavor? Thanks for the interest, you know?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I havent had much bad luck with CL, maybe I'm due. I have admittedly lost out on sales there by being honest.

For example, a younger fella came to check out one of my 1x10 cabs. Had the full asking price in cash, and even had some $5 bills to make up for any negotiating differences in case I didn't have change. We did a bit of haggling for the cab he was there for, and even some other small items I had around. Then he tells me he is upgrading from a 15 watt amp that came in his starter pack; his buddy just got a half stack. This kid was going to pair the 1x10 cab with a 500 watt head to compete with a drummer and another kid with a 50 watt tube amp and 4x12. Yikes. Needless to say I had to ask him to reconsider.

I usually "build-in" a little on the asking price expecting sooner or later someone will bring less than agreed.

Honestly though, I've done tons of sales on CL and have had darn near no flakes or shady prospective buyers. Tire kickers, sure, but really tone is so subjective I don't really mind. Hey if what I'm selling is in your price range and we both have the time, who cares? So what if it isnt your flavor? Thanks for the interest, you know?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So I listed a solid-state Fender guitar amp for $300 on Craigslist. I got a text from a guy that was interested in my amp. He asked me a bunch of questions about the amp (size of speakers, date, working condition, etc.) He explained that he lived about 2 hours away. He asked if I would be willing to meet half-way. After pondering I said yes. He recommended the mall in a half-way city. I recommended a Guitar Center near that mall. (That way if he wanted to try it out we could bring it into the GC.)

We agreed that we would leave immediately and meet about the same time. I got to the GC parking lot a little early and waited 15 minutes for him after driving for 45 minutes to get there.

He shows up and I show him the amp. I show him the footswitch and he asks what cord goes to it. I show him the 1/4 jack cord. He then asks if I have the power cord. I realize that I forgot the IEC cord in my dash to get out the door. He says, "I tell you what. I'll buy the amp for 20 dollars less or you can mail me the cord." I reply, "Nah........."

The nice older guy immediately angrily blows up, "I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO DO THIS TO ME!!!" He then storms of to his truck and drives away.

I stood there stunned. Had he let me finish I would have offered to buy one at GC for $5 or there is a GoodWill across the street that will sell them for $.50 to $1.

The guy acted like I had done him a HUGE disservice and was trying to cheat him (out of a power cord?).

BTW, who doesn't have extra cords lying around anyway?

Had he met me at my house I could have given him one or two.

Yikes.

 

[AlanSanJoseBass]

I've had excellent luck buying things from the talkbass.com members. About a year ago, a guy in Reno listed a 1951 Kay upright bass. I had been looking for one in California but there were none to be found in that good of condition and in my price range. So I flew to Reno from San Jose (using my free mileage) rented a SUV, bought the bass, and drove the 5 hours home. The seller was very gracious and friendly. What a great experience! Yes, a year later, the bass is still awesome!

 

[Axtman]

Did it come with a power cord?

 

[brianrost]

I showed up to buy a Squier bass once - while giving it a quick look over, I noticed it had no strap buttons. I asked if they were in the gigbag. The guy was so sorry (?) that he forgot to put them back on and didn’t bring them, he insisted to take $90 instead of $100.

In 1978 I bought a Silvertone bass from my hometown mom and pop music store for $75. After I took it home I noticed that the output would crackle and then drop out unless I played it upside down I opened up the control cavity, found a bad solder joint on one of the pots, touched it up and it's still rocking 42 years later.

Anyway, the next time I was in the store I mentioned this to the owner, thinking he'd find it humorous. I was totally surprised when he took a $10 bill out of the cash register, handed it to me and apologized.

 

[Gearhead17]

This is why I would rather deal with you guys on TalkBass. At least you are normal...........uh.....um. Okay maybe not.

We'll call it "bass player normal". MANY steps above the average singer or disgruntled sound people.

 

[bassdude51]

When I sell stuff on C. List, I am always concerned and worried. I feel like I am gambling. Dangerous world!

I will not meet half way or on the other side of town. Out of my driveway or garage only! My time and effort is extra expense.

"If "you" want it, here it is, come and get it but you better hurry 'cause it may not last............."

 

[DJ Bebop]

When I sell stuff on C. List, I am always concerned and worried. I feel like I am gambling. Dangerous world!

I will not meet half way or on the other side of town. Out of my driveway or garage only! My time and effort is extra expense.

"If "you" want it, here it is, come and get it but you better hurry 'cause it may not last............."

Did I hear you say that there must be a catch?
Will you walk away from a fool and his money?
Sonny!

 

[EdO.]

When I sell stuff on C. List, I am always concerned and worried. I feel like I am gambling. Dangerous world!

I will not meet half way or on the other side of town. Out of my driveway or garage only! My time and effort is extra expense.

"If "you" want it, here it is, come and get it but you better hurry 'cause it may not last............."

Quite the opposite here, I really don't want them coming to my home, seems like a gamble to me too. Music store or police station parking lot works for me.

 

[MynameisMe]

I only sell things on Facebook Marketplace. I also look up the person to see what i can out about them before engaging in commerce with them.
I also do this before I hire someone.

 

[electracoyote]

This is why I don't drive to sell my gear, time-wasters and tire-kickers. If they're serious, they come to me, in broad daylight, outside, with my family and neighbors watching.

Buyer didn't want the amp and the missing cord was his out. He's probably fully aware that an AC cord only costs a buck or two. He simply changed his mind about the purchase.

 

[dadglasser]

This is why I don't drive to sell my gear, time-wasters and tire-kickers. If they're serious, they come to me, in broad daylight, outside, with my family and neighbors watching.

Buyer didn't want the amp and the missing cord was his out. He's probably fully aware that an AC cord only costs a buck or two. He simply changed his mind about the purchase.

Or became concerned that his wife/significant-other was going to ask what happened to the rent money.