More Whining about Craigslist

[neillarson]

I use Craigslist a lot for selling electronics, RC stuff and for 4 or 5 cars over the last few years. As I am in the middle of packing for a cross country move I decided to apply the same rule i use on my RC and electronics to my guitars, if I haven't used it in a year, it is time to go. So I listed my '94 Strat MIM that i built with Lace PuPs, my '76 Tak 12 string and a 2011 Triburst Tele MIM. I may be a touch high but I am willing to negotiate.

The problem I have are the buyers that refuse to read the ad, refuse to do any research on what they are looking at. I received a text this morning than said Mexican? then one this afternoon from the same number that said Tele??. I asked what he was trying to say, he answered that he wanted to know if the Tele was a Mexican. I answered that the ad CLEARLY states that it is a Standard. Standard is a Mexican. He answered back that I was wrong because he had an American Standard. I then explained that a "Standard Telecaster" is Mexican and an "American Standard Telecaster" is American. The funny part is the add states: "This is a like new Fender Standard Telecaster (MIM) in a beautiful Tri-burst."

My other pet peeves are "Is it still available" and "Where can we meet?" I have become such an A$$ about this that all my ads open with:

"If the ad is still visible, it is still for sale. I will not answer any emails asking if it is still available. You can call or text 8four7-XXX-XXXX. If you respond via email, include a contact name and number or you will receive no response."

And I close with:

"The item is available for LOCAL pickup, in Crystal Lake IL and no place else. An amp will be made available for you to test the guitar. I accept only cash. No Trades."

I feel as I don't need to sell these, just not using them, they can play by my rules or not buy my stuff.

So far today, I have received 3 "is it still available" and 2 "can we meet at a half way point?"

It seems the best place I have found to deal with people is right here on RCC.

 

[ScaleReady]

:lmao: When you put that stuff in your ad, it is pretty much asking for it. Either way you are going to get those idiots....:roll:

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

The general public are morons. That's why I've stopped selling on CL, ebay, listing ads in the AutoTrader, and consider my options before running a newspaper ad.

 

[Meatwad]

Sadly its true about doing biz on CL. Been there plenty of times.. my fav is after agreeing to a price and where to meet, buyer wants to negotiate in person still. Crying about not having enough money for gas or lunch, twice I've driven off so far from that crap.

 

[BigSki]

The general public are morons. That's why I've stopped selling on CL, ebay, listing ads in the AutoTrader, and consider my options before running a newspaper ad.

This.^

I've come to the conclusion that the general public is just stupid, not that I consider myself a genius or anything but at least I have comprehensive skills, something that seems to be lost on the masses. I've honestly thought about renting a space at the local flea market to sell stuff, but I realized that I'd be walking into the eye of the storm.

 

[execelon]

I feel like people have been watching barter kings way to much! I'm always getting trade offers for junk!

 

[C*H*U*D]

I hate craigslist ever since crazedlist got shut down. Crazedlist was awesome "thumbsup"

 

[team3six]

RCC should start a site called "SellStuff.com"
"thumbsup"

 

[Hoosierdady]

hate dealing with the moronic masses? Try selling cars.:roll:

 

[JeremyH]

The general public are morons.

Yep.

 

[Grundy]

Ok; I hope you’re ready for this – I have spent most of my seventy years in retail and this is my take on this.

Cell phone syndrome – I think we are moving into a new stage of human development, I call it cell phone syndrome.

There seems to be growing number of people who no longer can comprehend or process anything from reading about it.

These are the people who spend every moment with a cell phone imbedded in their ear. Because all information is now entering their brains through the cell phone, they are losing the ability to comprehend the written word.

Next up will be an app that will let you walk up to a product in a retail store, scan the label with a phone, than listen to what is on that label.

It may not be too far in the future, when all written information will be processed in this way.

At first I thought these people were just too lazy to read the label, but after many years of studying this new species of shopper, I now realize they truly can’t comprehend the written word, and can only somewhat understand what they’re being told if it enters their brain through the ear, sometimes over and over and over again, until they understand.

This is what I call, The Video Game Syndrome – But that’s another topic for a later time.

This may be written with a little tough in cheek, but give it some thought, it may not be far out there.

 

[neillarson]

I think you have nailed this on the head.

 

[BUBBA069]

Next up will be an app that will let you walk up to a product in a retail store, scan the label with a phone, than listen to what is on that label.

Already have it. It's called a QR bar code. You can scan it with a smart phone app and there is web URL's in the bar code. Which then directs the phone to a website. On that page there can be anything about the product from allergy info for food to a video on how to assemble the bike you just bought.

 

[neillarson]

RCC should start a site called "SellStuff.com"
"thumbsup"

I agree, but wasn't that what Craigslist was supposed to be? lol.

I have just come to the conclusion that If I want to sell something, I am going to deal with:

- 70% Professional scammers (email address sellers, phone number scammers, identify thiefs)
- 20% flaming morons
- 5% clueless
- 5% Serious and honest shoppers

So, I will just start by pissing them all off and then if someone really wants something I have, they will be persistent. Part of the problem is guitars and amps are so damn expensive and people see an electric guitar and thing Squire and Epiphone prices, Doesn't matter if it is a vintage or custom, they want them for $100.

 

[Harley]

Is it still available?

 

[C*H*U*D]

Next up will be an app that will let you walk up to a product in a retail store, scan the label with a phone, than listen to what is on that label.

Welcome to 2012 "thumbsup"

 

[Rockpiledriver]

Maybe he wanted to know if you were Mexican? And where he could meet you? To buy you a drink or something.

Be careful I heard there are some stalkers on that site. :shock:

 

[4VRYNG]

Was selling my car. Had it on the street in front of my house. Some guy stops and looks at it, takes it for a ride, with me as passenger, we agree on price and he says he will come back next day with cash. We agree to $900.00. So he shows up and says he could only get $800.00 so I told him, ok, and turned around and started walking back in my house. Amazingly he found another $100.00 in his wallet suddenly. Douchebag.

 

[neillarson]

Had the same thing yesterday. When I was at the track, my wife sold our 3 YO Stainless Steel Fridge and Stove for $900. The guy gave her a $50 to hold them for one day. He showed up yesterday with $800. I told him, $50 more, he said he didn't have it so I said fine here is your $800, I will keep the $50 for the inconvenience. Imagine this, He found a $50 in his wallet.

 

[MojaveMonster]

What's wrong with asking if its still available? I pretty much start all my inquiries that way. Sounds like you have alot of personal standards you want everyone else to live up to. I guess if they have the cash and you want the cash you will deal with the people being people.