View Full Version : Is it safe to buy something for $200 on craiglist?
Found something I want, but it seems to be a risk dealing that kind of money with someone I know nothing about.
Edit: The price is a reasonable price, not too high or too low.
secretvampire
04-06-2006, 08:12 PM
Life is a risk. I dunno, what do you want somebody to say "It's always safe on Craigslist" or "It's never safe?" Just make a judgement call based on the circumstances, chances are it's legit unless it's just too good to be true.
evilmax17
04-06-2006, 08:17 PM
What are you worried about? It not working?
You could always ask to pick it up at their house and see them test it before you pay.
puternerd
04-06-2006, 08:22 PM
I'm guessing it's this:
XBox(2 controller, remote control & 7 games) - $200
I am worried about brining $200 to a complete stranger.
magictoilet
04-06-2006, 08:33 PM
usually, craigslist deals occur in a populated area so nobody gets scammed, etc. Craigslist is most likely safe unless it is too good to be true. If it is just normal price as you say, it is 99% real. I dealt with probably 10 transactions, ipod mini, shuffle, psp, nintendo ds, all of them went smoothly. My friend even sold his $700 laptop to someone at my high school. If you are unsure, bring a friend.
Trakan
04-06-2006, 08:35 PM
Agree upon a public place to meet sometime during the day. I've bought something off Craigslist before with no problems.
thealternakid
04-06-2006, 08:39 PM
i sold a 50inch magnavox projection tv on craigslist ( I actually got it for free) and the guy showed up with 450$ in cash and i helped him load it up. Listed it and sold it same day. Craigslist is by far the easiest site to use, but if you are weary, just call the dude, if he sounds shady, back out. or you could always ask to meet somewhere other they your or his house, like a mall. but that seems kinda movie dramatic. "you bring the money and i'll bring the box, we'll meet in the mall in the food court, at noon..."
Zoglog
04-06-2006, 08:50 PM
like with everything there is a risk. So what you buying? hookers =)?
bmsdaddy
04-06-2006, 08:57 PM
I sold a tv on Craigslist for $1100. Have also bought and/or sold several other items fro $200 or more. Never had any problems.
Michaellvortega
04-06-2006, 09:05 PM
I sold a 19" LCD monitor for $300, met up with the buyer at Leon's (where happy days was based off) Got my money and a ice cream without any problems.
chakan
04-06-2006, 09:05 PM
Definitely YMMV.
Make sure it works before you hand over the cash.
oxidative
04-06-2006, 09:38 PM
"you bring the money and i'll bring the box, we'll meet in the mall in the food court, at noon..."
Hey, I've done that! Except it wasn't noon.
Craigslist can be great. I bought my Saturn, Dreamcast, a couple Macs and an '89 VW Jetta. All great experiences. I've sold a couple things as well.
My only problem with Craigslist is that A LOT of people are very flaky and/or retarded. My father needed to get rid of a bunch of junker cars. None of them worked. I was very explicit in my ad about this fact. Wouldn't you know it, 80% of the e-mails involved some rendition of being able to drive a car away. Sheesh. I've been stood up once which was irritating.
Just feel out before you meet up and don't hand over any cash until you have a good feeling about what you are doing. Don't feel bad about walking away. It might irritate the seller, but so what.
DCriminal
04-07-2006, 12:30 PM
I have had no problems with Craigs List. Sometimes people are flakes, but most of the time they are not.
grendel19
04-07-2006, 06:22 PM
I tried selling an old desk of mine for a few weeks and had 3 people flake out on me. First guy seemed intent on buying, but after a few calls, he just failed to follow through.
Second guy said his wife changed her mind.
Third guy just never replied to my email and message.
Just bad luck I guess, nevertheless, these 3 incidents irritated the hell out of me. Why do these fuckers call if they're not going follow through?
But gonna keep trying because I want to get rid of this thing...
Warner1281
04-07-2006, 06:26 PM
I tried selling an old desk of mine for a few weeks and had 3 people flake out on me. First guy seemed intent on buying, but after a few calls, he just failed to follow through.
Second guy said his wife changed her mind.
Third guy just never replied to my email and message.
Just bad luck I guess, nevertheless, these 3 incidents irritated the hell out of me. Why do these fuckers call if they're not going follow through?
But gonna keep trying because I want to get rid of this thing...
Yeah, that's the problem with Craigslist. Too many people flake out. Nonetheless, I've bought and sold many an items on there with no problems whatsoever.
Michaellvortega
04-07-2006, 07:42 PM
Speaking of Craigslist I'm in negotiations to get a mac mini with a gig of ram with the apple keyboard and mouse in exchange for a 400GB external hard drive and $150.
oxidative
04-07-2006, 07:50 PM
Speaking of Craigslist I'm in negotiations to get a mac mini with a gig of ram with the apple keyboard and mouse in exchange for a 400GB external hard drive and $150.
Nice! I love my G4 Mini :)