Experiences buying from Craigslist/Ebay?

[Cataboo]

Hrm. You're lucky that all got straightened out.

I have to say, as someone who ocassionally sells on craigslist - that would be a reason for me to not allow someone to pay via paypal. I know as an ebay seller paypal resolution is heavily slanted towards the buyer. "The box was empty when it came" or something like that is a charge that it's really hard as a seller to dispute. And if paypal resolution goes through, it takes the cash from the sellers bank account. Which can be nasty depending on what bills you have going out.

I never thought of disputing an in person craigslist transaction via paypal though.

[zia]

Catriona, I hadn't thought about it from a seller's perspective. Certainly buying on eBay -- where you can't view and test ride -- is a leap of faith, and worthy of a certain level of buyer protection. But not so with Craigslist. If a buyer has regrets, well, that's really their own fault... for the most part.

Paypal ended up being what was most convenient the day I purchased. The asking price was more cash than I ever carry, and banks were closed, so it provided some assurance for the seller that the money was real. It was only later that I appreciated the buyer protection. And, like I said, I think my situation was an outlier.

[Cataboo]

Oh, I'm glad you had some method of recourse with the seller and that it worked out for you. I'd have hoped that an honest seller would have immediately offered you a discount or to take the bike back anyways. I know I've had a few people on craigslist when I was buying something from them and asked about how it worked, who just flat out told me if something was wrong, to bring it back and they'd give me my money back... I've never actually tested their good intentions though.

The last time I sold a bike on craigslist, I took a paypal payment as well - it was more convenient for all of us. They did a direct bank transfer so there was no 3% fee, and it wasn't a problem. In general, I've had really good results with craigslist buying & selling. I did have one guy who bought a bike frame & wheels from me on craiglsist and called up the next day pleading to be able to return them because his gf was furious with him for buying it... And I thought about it, but decided, this is craigslist, I don't know what he's done with the bike in the last 24 hours (carbon fiber fork & seat stays), and didn't take it back. However, if he'd paid by paypal and decided to force me to take it back or whatever - that could have ended badly.


And for the most part, I've had good experiences with buying and selling on ebay - when I've complained to sellers, they've general made it right. But sellers can no longer leave bad feedback for buyers, and buyers can leave bad feedback for sellers - which imbalances the system. I have had people email me after receiving an item saying "This is all sliced up" or something to that extent - and really... I cannot prove that I didn't mail them a sliced up item or that they didn't sliced it up themselves cutting the tape with a knife to open the box. I try to take a picture of the item as I'm packing it up just in case. And generally if someone emails me with a complaint, I'll make it right as a seller just to avoid the ebay resolution process, because I've heard lots of horror stories from friends or internet forum people about the ebay/paypal resolution being strongly buyer biased - which it sort of has to be for paypal/ebay to work, the buyers have to feel safe. But it can end badly if someone decides to work the system (claiming the box was empty when it arrived, whatever...)

[moderncyclista]

Bought my 09' Aurora off of Ebay. Floor model. $595.00 + shipping.

Came in good shape. Had one small paint ding that they didn't mention, but hard to find proper matching paint. Other than that works fine.

When I notified them they even sent free touch up paint (that didn't match - it was brown and white - very light brown they said Jamis doesn't make touch up paint available for the Aurora.) I made a better match with model car paints (white + yellow) mix and repeat. I plan on searching real car finish paint when I get time.

Other than that I don't feel like I got a bad deal. So, who knows. Be prepared for anything.

[nscrbug]

Another perspective, from the seller's end -

I just tried to sell my 2007 54cm Trek 2100 WSD on Craigslist, and was very disappointed with the experience. I got a few "bites", but one turned out to be a "scam"...thank goodness I was able to detect that this guy was scamming me and just trying to get my personal information. I had a few genuine interested parties that emailed me for more information/pics...which I gladly provided to each and every one of them. I did have one actual offer, but the guy low-balled me so badly...basically wanted me to give my bike away. When all was said and done...no sale resulted. I guess I'll try listing in a month or so, as we get closer to springtime.

[Cataboo]

Selling on craigslist is a pain in the neck. It usually ends up working out fine for me, but it can be an exercise in frustration. If you list the bike again in the spring, you should be fine. Getting rid of bikes or kayaks in the winter can be difficult. Generally if you post in your ad "price is firm" or something to that extent the lowballers will leave you alone. They might still try...

I usually build in like $20-50 into the price of whatever I'm selling for people that want to bargain. If it makes them feel better that they got $20 or $50 off, that's fine.

but i usually end up relisting things several times before i get a serious buyer... if someone seems like a scam, i usually just do the, this is my phone #, call me if you want to come by - nigerian scammers are not goign to call you or show up to meet you. I did once sell a guy in chicago a kayak that he saw me advertising on the local craigslist - he paypaled me, I verified I had the money, and then I shipped the kayak to him. we split the shipping (which was like $260) . he hadn't been able to find that kayak at a discount anywhere locally. so just because someone is contacting you that wans you to ship, it doesn't mean they're a scam - but I had him call me, and I spent a fair amount of time talking kayaks with him to make sure he was a real person

Several times people will say they're goilng to show up and then just not show up - unless they call me, I won't wait more than 30 mins.

[sundial]

I tried selling a bike on Craigslist and started getting spam emails. Then there was a problem with scams in our area.

I have had much better luck selling a bike on eBay and TE.

[TxDoc]

Hi,
I buy a lot of bikes and bike parts from both craigslist and ebay. Never had a bad experience, but a few I have had to take apart and overhaul and fix. Since I do my own builds it's no big deal - and the fact that they needed some work made the parts a good deal.
I guess you need to know what you are buying - well enough to determine the conditions and the work needed if any. Then you can bargain and make good deals.
Good luck