craigslist ads

[gearman]

I am trying to find a new scooter and three people from out of state I contacted said they were going to email pictures. None did. Do you think that sellers dont want to bother with non local buyers and dont have the character to tell me that?I keep looking at my inbox and three days later nada.What are your experiences?

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

If you were corresponding through CL, instead of direct person-to-person e-mail, check your spam folder if you haven't already done so.

[gearman]

These were people I talked to.I gave them my email address.I did just check my spam and nothing there. Thanks

[Perazzimx14]

How many threads have you see where the OP states I'll post pic or more pics when I get home.

That is code for I ain't never gonna post pics.

[kballowe]

I buy and sell fairly often on Craigslist.

Generally speaking, anyone more than 500 miles away will usually get ignored unless they can pick up the phone and call, and then only if they have a good story.  My personal experience is that those are likely to be scams and even if they're not -  I don't ship.

The guy with 143 questions in 23 text messages also gets ignored.


There are so many scams on Craigslist and maybe I'm a bit sensitive to it.  If it even SMELLS like a scam, then it gets ignored.

[Guzzi Gal]

Both of our Vespas came from CL and were supposed to be seen by 'serious' buyers from out of state.  It was our good fortune they cancelled last minute.   

[usedtobefast]

My first thoughts, if they were too lazy to put up decent pictures on their CL ad, then they are probably too lazy to email you some extra pics.

You mentioned you gave them your email address via phone?  Maybe they spelled it wrong? 

On the selling side, I've found remote people to more likely be scammers or a bit more difficult to work with.  Local guy can just stop by.  Remote guy might want many extra photos (which makes sense, but if a seller is getting local interest they might just skip working with the remote guy).

As a buyer, I've never had a remote purchase be awesome.  My last example, bike was a 10 hour drive away.  I decided to drive SUV up with trailer vs. the fly/buy/ride approach.  Had wonderful pics of bike.  Garage kept. etc etc.  When I got there, the bike looked like it was treated like a leaf blower or mower ... dust all over it, leaves all down in the fairing ... such a deep layer of dust on it would be hard to tell the condition of the finish.  I felt like asking him to wash the bike and I'd be back in a hour or two.  So obviously the pics were from an earlier time.  I asked about the "garage kept" thing, he said he had to put it out on the patio for a few nights.  Right.  Looked it over best I could.  Went on test drive.  And ended up buying it.  Turned out ok but the guy knew he posted up beautiful spotless pics and was selling a dust/leaf bin.  And he knew I was driving 10 hours to get it.  But the motorcycle is in better hands now.   

So if the seller if flaky from the very start, I'd tend to take that as a sign and move on. 

[gearman]

My first thoughts, if they were too lazy to put up decent pictures on their CL ad, then they are probably too lazy to email you some extra pics.

You mentioned you gave them your email address via phone?  Maybe they spelled it wrong? 

On the selling side, I've found remote people to more likely be scammers or a bit more difficult to work with.  Local guy can just stop by.  Remote guy might want many extra photos (which makes sense, but if a seller is getting local interest they might just skip working with the remote guy).

As a buyer, I've never had a remote purchase be awesome.  My last example, bike was a 10 hour drive away.  I decided to drive SUV up with trailer vs. the fly/buy/ride approach.  Had wonderful pics of bike.  Garage kept. etc etc.  When I got there, the bike looked like it was treated like a leaf blower or mower ... dust all over it, leaves all down in the fairing ... such a deep layer of dust on it would be hard to tell the condition of the finish.  I felt like asking him to wash the bike and I'd be back in a hour or two.  So obviously the pics were from an earlier time.  I asked about the "garage kept" thing, he said he had to put it out on the patio for a few nights.  Right.  Looked it over best I could.  Went on test drive.  And ended up buying it.  Turned out ok but the guy knew he posted up beautiful spotless pics and was selling a dust/leaf bin.  And he knew I was driving 10 hours to get it.  But the motorcycle is in better hands now.   

So if the seller if flaky from the very start, I'd tend to take that as a sign and move on.

[gearman]

Great reply. You may be spot on.

[Lannis]

I buy and sell fairly often on Craigslist.

I've quit.   When you sell, you get a raft of wanna-bes and looky-lous and people offering payment plans.

When you buy, you have to fight your way through a hedge of swords and dragons liars, cheats, and scammers.

I don't want anything bad enough any more to look at craigslist for it.

Lannis

[gearman]

I've quit.   When you sell, you get a raft of wanna-bes and looky-lous and people offering payment plans.

When you buy, you have to fight your way through a hedge of swords and dragons liars, cheats, and scammers.

I don't want anything bad enough any more to look at craigslist for it.

Lannis

So where would buy a new ride?You quit easy. You don't even watch TV you said.

[gearman]

Also I have seen lots of bikes with way too low prices. When I call I get answer machines. Wheres the profit in what they are doing? Craigslist needs to police their site better.One was a goldwing trike for $2000.

[Lannis]

So where would buy a new ride?You quit easy. You don't even watch TV you said.

I know an awful lot of people in the world of bikes.   Every bike I've bought for the past 20 years, I've bought either from someone I know in the Guzzi or BSA world, or from a dealer I trust.

There's just no need, no matter what kind of bike I want, to go outside my circle of friends or friend-of-a-friend to buy any kind of bike I want ....

I sell them the same way.   The last three Guzzis I sold all went to people at Moto Guzzi rallies!   

It's a real relief knowing that I don't have to worry if a check is going to clear or if there's actually a crankshaft in the motor ..... !

Lannis

[kballowe]

So if the seller if flaky from the very start, I'd tend to take that as a sign and move on.

Yep

[oldbike54]

 Any of you guys ever call out for a pizza delivery , good grief , what a hassle .

 Dusty

[Perazzimx14]

I've sold most of my bikes on CL. Within the last month I've sold 2. Its free and reaches a lot of people. Sure you have to separate the wheat from the chaff and do a few things to protect yourself but all in all CL has been very helpful in e selling bikes. I've also bought a lot of bikes on CL and never any drama.

Maybe I'm just lucky or maybe CL rally isn't as bad as we make it out to be. But no matter what its worth want we pay for it.

[egschade]

In addition to all the good advice that's been posted I'd also say that as a buyer you need to be willing to let go and move on. If the person is real and motivated to sell they'll be responsive. Anyone not being so is either a scam artist or non-caring. When I'm selling I go out of my way to communicate and follow up with the potential buyer to see if they received photos and such. If someone doesn't care enough to sell their toy then they probably didn't take care of it - move on.

As a seller I've typically received an initial flurry of scammers and dabblers. You have to wade through these to uncover the real buyers.  Can't agree more with Perazzimx14 - protect yourself and be patient. The right deal is out there.

[Groover]

What kind of scooter are you looking for? Also try Facebook marketplace for things like that. There is at least a little more accountability there since it's tied to a Facebook profile.

[stmike]

I've sold most of my bikes on CL. Within the last month I've sold 2. Its free and reaches a lot of people. Sure you have to separate the wheat from the chaff and do a few things to protect yourself but all in all CL has been very helpful in e selling bikes. I've also bought a lot of bikes on CL and never any drama.

Maybe I'm just lucky or maybe CL rally isn't as bad as we make it out to be. But no matter what its worth want we pay for it.

+1. I've sold many bikes, cars, and miscellaneous stuff on CL, and it's always been much more effective for me than the various forums I subscribe to. But there are a lot of unreliable buyers and sellers out there, so I just weed through them and move on. Can't be beat for the price!