Any savvy craigslist sellers?

[Luanne]

I have only sold one thing on Craigslist and it was my dd's car. It was a very pleasant experience. So, I decided to see if we could sell our electric piano that hasn't been used for quite awhile. I put the ad up this afternoon, price listed, and got an email almost right away. It said:

"I want to buy your piano. Call my cell phone [number given]."

For some reason this just made all kinds of warning bells go off. Am I being paranoid? What do you think?

 

[DeniseM]

You can key in *67 and then their number. That way your number won't show up on their caller ID, and if you don't like what you hear, they won't have your number.

Some people are not good with emails, and they really prefer to talk on the phone.

 

[Luanne]

Good tip. Thanks Denise.

I think what makes me wary is there was no discussion about the price, and nothing about wanting to see the piano. I think I may have dh call him.

 

[vacationhopeful]

You can key in *67 and then their number. That way your number won't show up on their caller ID, and if you don't like what you hear, they won't have your number...

I use *67 more than 10 times daily. I don't like getting cell phone calls, but use it to make long distance and toll calls from my cell. I use my landline phone as my contact number for PIAs as it has caller id and an answering machine (and is 5 miles from my bedroom in a different town.)

And with CL, I ask all parties to provide a contract PHONE number for me to call them back. No phone number, NO CALL BACK. I do not email/response to them, as it is a way to get your email. And I don't need those persons with my email addressed. And over 25% do not provide their phone number. And 10% of the phone numbers are out of minutes (not accepting calls at this time). Another 10% have their mailbox full.

PS These are NOT timeshare type of ads.

 

[sstug]

And with CL, I ask all parties to provide a contract PHONE number for me to call them back. No phone number, NO CALL BACK. I do not email/response to them, as it is a way to get your email. And I don't need those persons with my email addressed.

So if I reply to a CL ad via the email link, does the poster get my personal email address?

 

[Luanne]

So if I reply to a CL ad via the email link, does the poster get my personal email address?

I'm not sure. The first response goes through craiglist. But I responded back to his email, so he may have gotten it then. And he did provide a cell phone number.

I have since set up a completely separate gmail account to use just for craigslist.

This guy now wants to pay $900 and pick it up tonight. Hmmmm.

 

[nightnurse613]

I have sold some things on CL. I always word my ad - LOCAL ONLY- I don't want to deal with out of towners - I once advertised a cell phone battery for free (even paid the postage as part of my recycle pledge) and the guy had me mail it 2500 miles away!! What I hate is all the calls and emails; most of them trying to get the item for less but probably not interested anyway. Unless this is a digital piano, I can't imagine moving it in the dark (is digital the same as electric?). We move ours at Christmas from the lower living room to the upper and it's NO FUN. I have bought some stuff and got great deals. Good luck and thanks for recycling!

 

[zcrider]

I would just *67 and call them back. I personally don't even bother with that and just call directly as my home # is public record anyway. I find it much better to talk to someone on the phone as I have never been stood up after a phone call, but have been after e-mails. Usually if they give out their phone # then they are a serious buyer. It sounds like that is so since he asked to come get it tonight. If you have your piano priced as a steal this makes since b/c they want to snag it before someone else as these are usually first to show up gets it kind of sales. If your price is high and you were suprise by their offer then I would keep feeling suspecious.
Good luck. I just posted my loveseat on craigslist today and someone also messaged me within hours and gave thier #. I have spoken to them and they are coming in the morning to look at it. I too hope my item disappears soon as I have already moved it to the front foyer for ease of showing.

 

[vacationhopeful]

So if I reply to a CL ad via the email link, does the poster get my personal email address?

Yes - only posting ads do NOT carry an email. A reply to CL does have the sender's email.

 

[ronparise]

I take a different position than many here on TUG.

First of all I assume that most folks I meet in person or on line are good people. I go into every situation expecting the best and I usually get it. That dosent mean Im completely stupid. I usually "trust then verify"

It seems to me that if Im trying to sell something I have to make myself easy to find and my product easy to see. If I had a store front, I would want the biggest signs and the biggest ads possible. For on line activity. my phone number and email address are out there. I want my phone to ring with lots of potential buyers

Looking at this from another perspective...the buyers;

I wouldnt do business with a seller that didn't provide a phone number. I would wonder what else you are trying to hide

You are going to have to meet your buyer face to face anyway...(they will have your address) why not make it easy for a prospective buyer to call you

 

[csudell]

you could have them meet you somewhere so you dont give them your address

 

[1st Class]

I've sold several items and always require those who reply to type a specific word of my choosing to be placed in the subject line (so I know it's not spam) and to include a phone number. All have been legitimate buyers. Those that do not follow directions do not get a response. I also once had a buyer who wanted to meet at a shopping mall and that was OK too. She lived about 30 miles from my home and the mall is about 1/2 way between us. From her perspective, I can understand not wanting to go to a complete stranger's home.

I also have an e-mail account that I use as a junk account for things like CL.

Good luck with your sale.

 

[Luanne]

you could have them meet you somewhere so you dont give them your address

We did that when we sold the car. But with the piano I'm not going to haul it around. Too heavy.

And just to follow up. The prospective buyer did come over last night, with his son who the piano was for. The son tried it out, thought the keys sounded "too loud" and they decided not to purchase it.

 

[ampaholic]

So if I reply to a CL ad via the email link, does the poster get my personal email address?

yes they do

 

[Timeshare Von]

I've done very little via Craig's List and most recently the stuff I've placed online to sell has only resulted in spam-type responses to try to get me over to some other auction or sales site. I'm very disappointed with the level on nonsense happening on CL lately.

 

[bobby]

I have sold quite a few items on Craigslist and also bought items. I've always had a good experience with obviously legit people. I just ignore ones that seem like scammers.

 

[Luanne]

I have sold quite a few items on Craigslist and also bought items. I've always had a good experience with obviously legit people. I just ignore ones that seem like scammers.

I think part of my concern/issue is, that I'm so new to this I don't have good scammer radar yet.

 

[zcrider]

Already sold my loveseat. I don't worry much about giving out my phone # or address. It is just that and anyone can get it from a phone book or online yellow pages anyway. I usually only sell something 1-2 times a year, more often I buy stuff off CL and just give it away when I am done with it. It is great for getting those big things out of the house though, so I don't have to haul them out myself.
My biggest fear is strangers coming INTO my house! So I always place the item right in my foyer and make sure other people are home when they buyer comes so that I am not alone with someone I don't know inside my house. To me that is the real fear....not spam e-mail showing up, that stuff automatically gets sent to my junk box anyway and no harm is done.

 

[Luanne]

My biggest fear is strangers coming INTO my house! So I always place the item right in my foyer and make sure other people are home when they buyer comes so that I am not alone with someone I don't know inside my house. To me that is the real fear....not spam e-mail showing up, that stuff automatically gets sent to my junk box anyway and no harm is done.

Luckily the piano is already right next to the entrance. I can't see moving that thing around, it's heavy! So far no more inquiries. I have a few more things we want to try to sell, not sure when I'll put up more ads.