Thread: Craigslist scammers

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I'm a fan of Craigslist for some things. Most recently unloaded a couple flatties. I'm not sure that the scammers are functionally much different than the "tire kickers" . You know, the guy who runs you through the drill with some questions, then asks for directions (or in the modern era just your address for a Mapquest) and then never shows. You still have to sort the flakes from the real folk. I guess that's part of what I like about Craigslist, I can pre-qualify via email before disclosing where the goodies are stored. The best procedure I've found for sorting out the dreamers is to put the onus on them when they ask for directions/address. I say something like" are you coming over right now?" If they hem and haw they're most likely a flake and I tell them to call me when they're ready to come over so the directions will be fresh in their mind. Minimizes the amount of time wasted on them.

On the flip side, it does usually end up with sending out more pictures to folks you never hear from again. But, the ol' picture/1000 word thing......they probably mean shorter emails/phone conversations, so may still be a bene.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

I'm a fan of Craigslist for some things. Most recently unloaded a couple flatties. I'm not sure that the scammers are functionally much different than the "tire kickers" . You know, the guy who runs you through the drill with some questions, then asks for directions (or in the modern era just your address for a Mapquest) and then never shows. You still have to sort the flakes from the real folk. I guess that's part of what I like about Craigslist, I can pre-qualify via email before disclosing where the goodies are stored. The best procedure I've found for sorting out the dreamers is to put the onus on them when they ask for directions/address. I say something like" are you coming over right now?" If they hem and haw they're most likely a flake and I tell them to call me when they're ready to come over so the directions will be fresh in their mind. Minimizes the amount of time wasted on them.

On the flip side, it does usually end up with sending out more pictures to folks you never hear from again. But, the ol' picture/1000 word thing......they probably mean shorter emails/phone conversations, so may still be a bene.

Bob,
The tire kickers and hem & haw folks I can deal with and can even enjoy the 'negotiations'. I've done so much swap meet selling in the past few years that I enjoy the challange. I do have "no lower then price" but a low ball with out seeing the item tends to P*** me Off. It's the folks that have English as a second language and are from Nigeria or similar 4th or less world country that want to send me a certified check for more then the amount........ More than one or two pictures of a Sharpe Finex or a kerosene heater is a waste of my time tho.

I haven't given up yet on craigslist - as long as it's free and I can winnow out the trash in my anonymous email box I'll keep trying. Batting zero for 3 now.