[quote name='Navex']If one was new to using craigslist to sell, what tips would you guys give? I don't want to do it really but I want to see if I can unload some of my old books and other misc. stuff this way to make a little bit of cash before lowballing myself at retail chains that buy used stuff. I hear there are a lot of scammers out there so what can I do to avoid them or at least make it harder for them to harass me? And what's the best way to have people contact you, as I only have one # so I really do not want to give that out though I suspect I'm opening myself up to bots with an email address ugh.[/QUOTE]
What kind of books are you looking to sell? I would recommend checking them on amazon and seeing if they offer good trade in values on any, or selling them directly on amazon as you can ship them media mail (or whatever it's called now) and generally make much better money, particularly depending upon the book.
If amazon won't work for whatever reason and you have to sell these on craigslist, I always add disclaimers such as CASH ONLY, US Dollars only, etc. along with something about meeting at a public location. I usually meet at a grocery or convenience store near my office or home, or for the big transactions at a branch of my bank.
Just trust your gut instinct/judgment/common sense. If you ever feel the need for added security/insurance (without having to bring a buddy/posse and/or pack a concealed weapon or three), you should always let a loved one know the details of the transaction specifically the meet up location and time, and to plan some sort of signal, such as to expect a call or text from you within 5-10 minutes of the scheduled transaction.
If your spider sense is tingling when you get to the deal, you can always let the other party know that the area is under video surveillance, that there is a record of their email correspondence, and/or that someone is expecting a phone call/text from you within a few minutes and has the exact details of the transaction. This can help to diffuse any potentially further dangerous situation so that hopefully calm and rational thinking prevail.
If they plan to rob you, that is bad enough, but moving you (kidnapping), assaulting/raping and/or killing you will get them caught and potentially be capital offense(s) and get them the death penalty (depending on the crime/state). Generally, if you are being robbed in such a scenario, you can hopefully talk your way out of them doing anything worse by getting them to think about and understand the consequences of their choices so they don't do anything rash or in the heat of the moment.
I've never had to resort to that speech thankfully even after hundreds of craigslist transactions, however I have thought through such a scenario. Better to be prepared for anything and never have to use said preparedness.
Stories like
this and
that don't help...hopefully I haven't frightened you off craigslist though :lol: