When you sell on Craig's List do you meet at your house or a neutral site?

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I've always had people come to my house and haven't had any problems. But I'm wandering if I should change that. I was curious what fellow CAGS do. Do you have them come to your house or meet them at some neutral location?
 
I've never messed with craigslist, but I personally wouldn't meet at somebody's house or have them come to mine. While I'm not paranoid of that thing and would like to think the best of people, it's also best to be safe about that kind of thing. Never know what of crazy people are out there in this world.
 
I've always met at a neutral and public place with plenty of people around. Usually a local shopping center that stays pretty busy year round.
 
Always meet at a well trafficed area for protection, carry a cell phone or bring someon with you. If the other person looks fishy or there are too many of them, you can always drive away.

If you met at home, you don't want the person coming back to your house for technical assistance or help do you!!
 
I've sold a few LCD TVs on craigslist and each time I had the person come to my house since most people want you to plug it in and confirm that it works for them. Once I agreed to meet a guy at his place when I bought a used pc recently. Again I wanted proof it worked before I paid.

If its not a big item like a videogame or something portable I will have them meet me outside of Super Target but I've only done that 2 times. I've pretty much only used craigslist to sell furniture, arcade machines, and TVs.
 
[quote name='JStryke']I've never messed with craigslist, but I personally wouldn't meet at somebody's house or have them come to mine. While I'm not paranoid of that thing and would like to think the best of people, it's also best to be safe about that kind of thing. Never know what of crazy people are out there in this world.[/QUOTE]

...I love how the paranoid people always start out by saying "I'm not paranoid, but...". LOL :p



I dont know about anyone else who commented in this thread, but I have actually bought numerous things through CS such as video games, consoles, power/AV cords, etc. Rarely do I ever have a problem (unless we opt to meet at a public place that is...that is when I have been stood up in the past). I have been stood up ~4 times when I attempt to meet people at the mall, or Target, etc., and its a pain in the ass to have to drive somewhere and wait...and wait...and wait...for someone who you hope will show up. I would rather just wait at home...

I have met people at their house, they have stopped by my house, etc. If you are not paranoid then it should be fine. I just bought a fat xbox 360 last night off CS to refurbish for $30, complete with cords (it was RRoD w/3 lights - I took it home and reflowed it and go it working perfectly in about 45 minutes). I drove to the person's place and picked it up from their house. Easy as pie.

I have met lots of people on CS...from kids to elderly people and many in between (the person I got the 360 off of last night looked like he was about 12 years old :p). I guess that I just dont understand for the life of me why some people are so ridiculously paranoid and introverted... CS is a great tool for every day people like myself.

FYI: about 99.9% of the time I have been stood up by someone on CS (e.g. scheduled a time to meet and they didnt show) was when I was meeting them at a public place. I almost always either go to people's houses, or have them come to mine...its more personal that way and I usually get a better deal anyway if I offer to drive to their place (so they dont have to drive anywhere and spend gas). Never had a problem... *shrug*
I guess there is the *possibility* of having a problem, but there is the possibility that I could get in a car accident driving to meet someone as well (or get struck by lightining? LOL).
 
Usually at shopping centers (Targets seem to be popular meeting places), but when dealing with large furniture, you don't really have a choice, its got to be at the home.
 
I met plenty of people at their home. I don't think it is a big deal if you are dealing with something less than $50.
 
Depends on the item... game console or things that need tv's usually at their place. Everything else neutral and public place. Always bring friends. If it feels too shady and uncomfortable, trust your instincts. Bail out.
 
[quote name='kodave']Usually at shopping centers (Targets seem to be popular meeting places), but when dealing with large furniture, you don't really have a choice, its got to be at the home.[/QUOTE]

We've sold used appliances (microwave, fridge, washer and dryer, oven,, etc.) and we have the prospective buyers meet at our house because you can't move those items to a neutral location like a parking lot. The items are placed in the garage and plugged in so the buyers can test them out. And NO ONE is allowed past our garage, or in our house. We keep all the doors locked and window shutters closed so no one can try to peek inside our house when they come over to buy stuff. So all the Craiglisters see only the junk in our garage, and no one is desperate enough to come back and steal things like a hammer and nails, 20 year old Xmas decorations, or used cat litter boxes.
 
Yea have no idea how to sell my 40" TV... I've sold a lot of things in the past on CL, but never in LA and never a TV. And selling it online is not worth shipping it...
 
If I'm picking up something I just go wherever without even thinking about it really. Although now with the stories of murders and theft, I'll just remember to hit up a public place.

A few of my stories

-I got a like new 725 mortorcycle helmet for 65 on FB Marketplace. Guy who sold it had both his legs broken from falling off a bicycle.

-Bought a sega, 32 and sega cd with a bunch of games for like 20, but had to replace the fuse in the sega cd. Guy ran a community center but had boxes and manuals for everything even gb stuff.

-Got a Sega CDX with about 50 games for 100

-Sold my sharp 32" SDTV to some sorority girls on FB marketplace. It weighed about 115 lbs. I expressed in the post, must bring 2 guys and a truck to move this it wont fit in a car. 2 small girls show up in a car, it doesn't fit and I end up carrying it. I place it in the front seat and they smash the door into it breaking their armrest center console in their car. They send me a message 2 days later thanking me for the TV and that it was amazing lol. I sold this for 75$! after getting a free HDTV through buy.com

-Dumbest thing I did was check out a free mattress and ended up at this two story house that this guy built himself with no such building skills. It literally looked like a bigger version of what a 12 year old would make as a fort with some nails and plywood. The guy had like 6 dogs and the mattress, although in good condition, reeked of dog, I carried it down the most pathetic stairs that someone could make. Like random chunks of would nailed in, steps missing, no rails, and took it to my truck and tossed it in the first dumpster that I found.

-Went to buy a boat with some friends and ended up at some rednecks house with junk all in the yard. Things were half buried everywhere like a flood came through and everything settled in the mud. This guy had a small old shabby house that he had added random pieces of metal sheets, fence, wood, and it was now a 3 story house. Also almost like a fort, its like he just added platforms and archer outposts like from a castle. He had farm animals everywhere and his door was open with mud tracks going inside with pigs and chickens walking through. He is showing me and my friend this half buried boat, meanwhile there are mosquitoes everywhere and one is stabbing the guy right in the middle of the forehead and he is just sitting there taking it, like it's normal, I listened to his redneck language for like 5 minutes just watching this mosquito biting his face and he never stopped it. It could still be there till this day.
 
Depends. When I buy on Craigslist I prefer neutral site for things that I would otherwise have to go into someone's house to see. For a car or boat, going to the place of the listing isn't really a big deal.

Many times you can get a feel for the person over the phone, but you can never be too sure. I buy whole comic book collections and have been in some sketchy situations and dealt with some underhanded people. I've walked into a house where there's been loaded guns on the table (no harm, just some survivalist wackos). I've also run into my fair share of tweakers willing to sell ANYTHING.

Neutral site is usually the safest.
 
[quote name='Theenternal'] free HDTV through buy.com[/QUOTE]
Please elaborate.:D

But either way I have never( and will never) either meet someone at their house for a CL deal or let them into my house to make a deal.

If it's something like a game console or something else that might need to be tested before they may buy it, then I'd either take them to Gamestop(before my perma-ban) under the guise of wanting to trade it in there or Best Buy if it's another electronic item.

But if it's something like a game or DVD or something, then meeting at the local mall is good enough.
[quote name='RedRingOfDeath']I almost always either go to people's houses, or have them come to mine...its more personal that way and I usually get a better deal anyway if I offer to drive to their place (so they dont have to drive anywhere and spend gas). Never had a problem... *shrug*[/QUOTE]
:rofl: You know how many times I've had some fuckwad from an hour or MORE from me(even after I put LOCAL ONLY in my ads) expect me to drive halfway there to meet them, then expect me to meet them OUTSIDE the mall or wherever to make the deal? A TON.

Besides possibly wasting my time driving there to meet them and possibly getting robbed(or stood up), there's also the distinct possibility the fuckin' idiot will try and haggle me down from our agreed price that we set BEFORE I made the trek.

Don't get me wrong. If gas was still $1 something a gallon I wouldn't give a shit and make the trip then just turn around and walk away with my item without a second thought. But going halfway to China just to be considerate to someone who will most likely try and get me to take less for it is NOT gonna happen.

Case in point: I was selling a $300+ Gamestop gift card(EDGE card actually) a while ago on CL. I had about 4-5 offers and only ONE of them was reasonable. One dickhead expected me to take $80 for $300+ in credit to GS AND expected me to drive 25-40 miles to meet him OUTSIDE a mall. I told him promptly I'd rather melt the card into ashes and snort the ashes than give it up for 1/3 or less of what it's worth.

So yeah, me taking other peoples' hassle they go through to buy my shit into consideration doesn't happen very often. If somebody is nice enough to meet me on neutral ground n they're like $5-10 short, then I might bend and say fuck it. But with all of the ignorant assholes I've dealt with via emails from CL I lean heavily towards the 'fuck you gimme my money' side of selling anymore.
 
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Depends on the item.

If it's something that needs additional equipment to test, like a microphone, television or any type of electronics, needs to be at a location where they or I can test - that's usually a home or apartment. I don't expect them to buy something they can't test and I certainly won't give up my money and walk away without giving something a thorough rundown.

If it's concert tickets or other smaller goods, then I like a coffee shop. Public, non-threatening, and I can grab a coffee.

Always important to talk on the phone with folks before giving out your information or agreeing to meet, too, so you can decide whether you want to meet them at all. I've never been skeeved out talking to someone on the phone, but if I had any concerns, I'd just change the meeting place or cancel the deal.

That said, there's nothing wrong with preparing in the event things do go south. Have a friend with you (someone imposing is preferred), carry a tactical pen in your pocket, heck, have mace handy if you're really worried...but honestly, if you're that worried, you shouldn't be dealing with the person you're dealing with - and maybe shouldn't be selling things on craigslist to begin with.
 
[quote name='JStryke']I've never messed with craigslist, but I personally wouldn't meet at somebody's house or have them come to mine. While I'm not paranoid of that thing and would like to think the best of people, it's also best to be safe about that kind of thing. Never know what of crazy people are out there in this world.[/QUOTE]

Agree 1000%. I myself dont sell on craigslist but I would never in a million years invite someone I didn't know to my house. Why would you when you can just as easily meet at a neutral location. 50 years ago, maybe. today...not a chance in hell. Even if I didnt have a family and was living alone, I still wouldn't do it.
 
I have no problem with people coming to the house. I have met several people at their house as well. I just tend to do whatever is the easiest and whatever they feel comfortable with.
 
[quote name='evildeadjedi']Always meet in a neutral well populated place. Walmart parking lot works very well.

So, why should someone be paranoid?

Teen Craigslist Killer Arrested, Charged with Aggravated Murder of Three in Ohio

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/259594/20111201/teen-craigslist-killer-arrested-charged-aggravated-murder.htm

Granted, this was for a job posting but it was people that came to this house. They were robbed, shot, then buried in shallow graves.[/QUOTE]


I knew someone was gonna post this sooner or later.

Its like you pull out the 1 in 100 million instance where some psycho comes over and kills someone.

If that is the case, than no one should even go outside again! Think about it, you could possibly brush up against a killer at the mall, or at wal-mart as you walk through the crowd of people...LOL

Bah, if I were to lead such a paranoid and sheltered life I would be unhappy and make less friends...and get less great deals! On the 24th I sold 3 xbox 360 core units (console + cords, no controller) for $75 each. Then I took another refurb unit I fixed and tossed a warrantee sticker on it, took it to gamestop and they gave me $75 in-store credit for it which I used towards a new slim model. I basically paid $35 for a xbox 360 slim because the 3 xboxes I sold to CS buyers to get it cost me nothing (it is common for people to bring me 3 or 4 xboxes and give me 1 of them to fix the rest...), but I did pay $35 for the one I traded in for $75...and I even had a little money left over.

I really love CS. My friend bought a xbox 360 slim on there 2 days ago for $70! Friggin $70! You cant beat that (I paid $35 for mine because I got most of the money for free, but I still think he got the better deal - $70!!!). I have never come across a situation while using CS that has made me worried or upset. Love it! :D Will have people over to my house, or I will drive to theirs. :D
 
Always a neutral site and I always carry some form of protection. Also, make sure they're not tailing you when you leave the neutral location.
 
[quote name='CaptainJoel']Always a neutral site and I always carry some form of protection. Also, make sure they're not tailing you when you leave the neutral location.[/QUOTE]

ROFL, what are you, a secret agent? I hope you are being sarcastic. :p
 
[quote name='RedRingOfDeath']Then I took another refurb unit I fixed and tossed a warrantee sticker on it, took it to gamestop and they gave me $75 in-store credit for it which I used towards a new slim model.[/QUOTE]
So you give them a system that you knowingly fraudulently put a warranty sticker back on after fixing it? Awesome.:roll:
[quote name='CaptainJoel']Always a neutral site and I always carry some form of protection. Also, make sure they're not tailing you when you leave the neutral location.[/QUOTE]
Exactly. I always walk around the mall after making the deal. I usually walk around there for 30-45 minutes and I always park up the opposite end from where I meet the people to make the deals.
 
Guess this depends on your neighborhood, but I've never even considered my safety being in danger -- that's a bit extreme. People seem to get more wary of strangers as crimes rates go lower, and lower.
 
[quote name='CaptainJoel']Always a neutral site and I always carry some form of protection. Also, make sure they're not tailing you when you leave the neutral location.[/QUOTE]
Protection like condoms, amirite? :cool:

Gotta strap up for dem CL casuals.
 
[quote name='hankmecrankme']Protection like condoms, amirite? :cool:

Gotta strap up for dem CL casuals.[/QUOTE]
That reminds me of another not so funny(more like:puke:) encounter I had from CL.

I posted an ad for shits n giggles in the casual encounters section. I put the word WOMAN in CAPS and even bolded it.

I got responses from 3-4 non passable(they sent pics) CD's, 2-3 trannies and a woman that I wouldn't even do with a dozen burlap sacks tied over her head with 20 condoms stacked one on top of the other.

So yeah, CL is great if ya wanna meet some real freaks or some people who expect you to bend over backwards for em to sell them something cuz they falsely believe the customer is always right.:roll:
 
[quote name='CaptainJoel']Always a neutral site and I always carry some form of protection. Also, make sure they're not tailing you when you leave the neutral location.[/QUOTE]

This.

1) Upon meeting up near the registers of Walmart and making the transaction, you need to walk around the store randomly for at least 30 minutes to make sure you are not being followed.

2) If you don't suspect you're being followed, walk out to the parking lot and go to a car that is not yours and see if anyone is watching you.

3) If you still aren't, run to your car, dive in and speed off into the nearest Krispy Kreme (or like) location to again make sure you aren't being tailed.

If you follow all these precatious everytime you deal on Craigslist, you should be able to avoid being mugged, taken prisoner, then later thrown into the desert to fend for yourself, which will undoubtedly happen if you are not constantly aware of...ATTACK!
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']That reminds me of another not so funny(more like:puke:) encounter I had from CL.

I posted an ad for shits n giggles in the casual encounters section. I put the word WOMAN in CAPS and even bolded it.

I got responses from 3-4 non passable(they sent pics) CD's, 2-3 trannies and a woman that I wouldn't even do with a dozen burlap sacks tied over her head with 20 condoms stacked one on top of the other.

So yeah, CL is great if ya wanna meet some real freaks or some people who expect you to bend over backwards for em to sell them something cuz they falsely believe the customer is always right.:roll:[/QUOTE]

Ugh, that is just sick....leading on those trannies like that.:booty:
 
The Best Place to meet someone for a craigslist transaction, imo, is your local police department. Couldn't be safer, and if someone selling stolen good reads that you want to have the transaction at a police station, I bet they back off.
 
We've always had people come to the house. I dont think we have much to fear from mom's picking up old toys and baby clothes.

Now, finding someone to buy your items who isn't actually a spambot in disguise is a much bigger problem.
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']
If you follow all these precatious everytime you deal on Craigslist, you should be able to avoid being mugged, taken prisoner, then later thrown into the desert to fend for yourself, which will undoubtedly happen if you are not constantly aware of...ATTACK![/QUOTE]
But if you've been watching Man Vs. Wild or Survivorman, then you will already know how to survive in the desert. Nothing quite says survival like drinking your own pee or using it to cool yourself down in the desert, according to Bear Grylls anyway.;)
 
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