Craigslist sucks again

[spidernut]

I need a few parts, spot a guy parting a Spider on Craigslist real close to my home. I e-mail (no reply), so I call him. He says he received my e-mail. I inquired about several parts. He has them! He asks me to suggest a price, I say it depends on the condition of the parts. I ask him to email photos since he isn't open to me coming to see the car in person (warning sign number one). He agrees. He asks me to e-mail what I'd be willing to pay for a few parts anyways.

Days pass...no photos. I drop another e-mail this time with suggested prices depending on condition...no response (warning sign number 2)

I drop a reminder e-mail a few days later...no response (3 strikes, you're out!)

I know people are busy, but why advertise something that you're not interested in actively selling. Someone here said that it is because they have nothing invested in posting on Craigslist...no skin in the game so to speak.

I guess I'll have to look elsewhere...sigh.

[4uall]

you gotta love the crackheads

[RRoller123]

Over time, I have developed the habit of abandoning the CL clowns on the first warning sign. If they have a legitimate issue, they can come back to ME and explain why they didn't perform. Probably have left some good stuff on the table, but have probably also avoided a lot of aggravation and wasted time this way too! God love 'em, the fools of the Earth.

[opus10583]

Hi John,

...Looking for an Alfa on Craigslist is what got me back into a FIAT.

Ciao,
Mark

[tonyfromjersey]

He'll call you in a week or 10.

[ronarthur]

A couple of days ago, I was looking at an antique bed on Craigslist. I wanted to make sure that it was a full sized bed and not a 3/4 bed. So, I e-mail the guy and give him my mattress dimensions to confirm that it would work. He e-mails me back that I would have to bring my box spring along to confirm that it fits. Needless to say, I didn't get back to him.

[2ndwind]

I've had reasonable luck with craigslist BUT...

Three weeks ago I saw an ad for John Deere self-propelled push mower (picture in a garage), newer, Dad sold house, no need for mower, about half price.

Sun: Do you still have it
Yes
Can I come see it tonight, I have cash.
Not tonight, check with me tomorrow morning

Mon:
No Answer. Left Message.
Mon. Evening: No Answer

The Next Sunday: Email to me: Are you still interested in the John Deere?
Yes
No response
I call his number, No answer.
I'm done.

Found a better one on CL for half the money anyway.
I can only guess a sibling wanted the first one and he was trying to price it by what a CL buyer (me) might pay for it.

[dmwhiteoak]

I have bought many items from craigslist. It is the people of the world today that tarnish the tools we have at our disposal. I'm sure this world we live in has had this type all along its just that there are more of them. All they care about is there time and want all of your money. They will sell you there trash at a premium and laugh as you drive off. I always use extreme caution when dealing with anyone I don't know or at least think I know.

[kd1wo]

I for one love the "picture collectors".
You provide a detailed description, good photos of everything, what you feel is a reasonable price, and all they want is more pics. Thank goodness, no further contact.
I stopped listing the home phone # for fear of a real nut job. Usually, I call their provided number AFTER I've verified it's theirs via another source.
It is a strange world out there..... and getting worse.

[AndyS]

what i can't understand how someone lists something and then makes no effort to meet a qualified buyer,( doesn't return promised calls, forgets to send the promised emails with more photos, etc) It used to be the buyers were the flakes, (I'll be there at 12 noon today no shows) now I guess it goes both ways. I think good manners are becoming rarer and rarer in today's texting, spamming, scamming world. Seems like a lot pf people have forgotten how to treat each other in a civil fashion. it becomes a self fulfilling prophesy, as the sellers expect the buyer to be jerks, and vise versa.

[Daniel]

there was someone on here selling a 69 doing the same thing he wouldn't send more photos or be clear
about what your getting so its not just CL people .

[GeorgiaGirl]

A couple of days ago, I was looking at an antique bed on Craigslist. I wanted to make sure that it was a full sized bed and not a 3/4 bed. So, I e-mail the guy and give him my mattress dimensions to confirm that it would work. He e-mails me back that I would have to bring my box spring along to confirm that it fits. Needless to say, I didn't get back to him.

I guess the CL seller didn't think you had a tape measure handy!

[wikkid]

It's a double edged sword, really. If Craigslist charged a small fee to list an item, it would weed out some of less serious "sellers." However, it is as popular and well-used as it is because it is free to list.

Interesting item to note: ebay now owns 25% of Craigslist, apparently.