Craig's List is DANGEROUS!!

[KnottedYet]

Just on a lark I paged through the bikes for sale on the Craig's List for my area. www.craigslist.org

Oh, I found about 10 bikes I wouldn't mind buying, some *dirt* cheap. I also found a Burley cargo (not child, but actual flatbed cargo) trailer for $75.

A couple gems that were pricey but seductive: A Rivendell Atlantis for $1,000. A Kona Dr. Dew (my commutermobile but a step up with nicer goodies and disc brakes) for $350 and in my size to boot.

Geez, it's worse than Ebay!

[Wahine]

Although most sellers are reputable, there are some sneaky people out there on Craig's list. I have two friends that have been burned buying stuff. So be careful! Have fun shopping.

[laughlaugh18]

Craigslist can be great, but it's like everything else online - buyer beware. Craigslist has some great recommendations about how to protect yourself from scammers and you can report bogus ads to the administrator and they'll deal with it. I've had good experiences with Craigslist, but I have noticed there seems to be a really high percentage of bad ads in the bike section.

[logdiva32]

I haven't had many problems, just minor stuff. Got to use street sense and common sense. Don't buy a $2000 bike off CL, Duh????? Get robbed, riped off, bike is a fake, many scams. But I bought my bike ( and many other things) off CL and it was cool.
Never place yourself in harms way.
Try to meet at a public place.
Always take a friend or let someone know your whereabouts, plus whatever description you have of the other person.
In seattle, I like to meet in front of the County Sheriffs office...

[KnottedYet]

I sold my recumbent on Craig's List. Thinking about trying to sell my Trikke on CL, too. I like the idea of meeting potential buyers in front of the police station!

Reading through some of those bike ads, a few did sound fishy.

I'm not buying any bikes for a good while... darn. I've got two and should stop there. Before my finances completely collapse!

[caligurl]

i keep meaning to look at craigslist and seeing about putting my hardrock up for sale on there! at least it's local... unlike ebay where i'd have to box it to ship it! may have to check it out today if i can access the site from work!

[Veronica]

Some of our stolen stuff turned up on Craig's List. No we did not get it back.

If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably stolen. Especially high end electronics and jewelry. No receipt, no box = stolen.

V.

[Blueberry]

Some of our stolen stuff turned up on Craig's List. No we did not get it back.

That sucks! Did you at least let the police know? Too bad you couldn't get your computer (with data) back...

I'm careful with Craigs. I've sold 2 bikes that way, but have always met in a public place mid-day with spouse.

I have been trying to give some stuff away and have gotten some creepy replies. It's going to the dump (it's computer stuff, and none of our local charities will take it - I get so frustrated with having to go to 10 different places because they all have different regulations on what they will take - I know it's for a reason, but I don't want to spend all day on a weekend trying to give stuff away )

CA

[KnottedYet]

Trek had a good point when I was talking to her about getting a supercr@p bike for commuting to campus and leaving on the school bike rack: that I should buy one from Recycled Cycles, because they'd've already checked to see if it was stolen and would've done maintainence on it.

'Course, i won't be in the market for a supercr@p for at least 2 years, if if if I get into grad school.

But some of those bikes/prices on CL are mighty nice. But i'd be thinking of V's experience with her stuff getting stolen.

[Veronica]

It's not everybody on CL. But just be aware. If they are selling something far below the regular going rate, there's a good chance it's hot. You know a Rivendell for $150.

We've sold some stuff and given stuff away on CL and not had anything weird happen.

Yeah, we got the police involved. It just took them too long to decide to care.

V.

[emily_in_nc]

I have been trying to give some stuff away and have gotten some creepy replies. It's going to the dump (it's computer stuff, and none of our local charities will take it - I get so frustrated with having to go to 10 different places because they all have different regulations on what they will take - I know it's for a reason, but I don't want to spend all day on a weekend trying to give stuff away ) CA

CA -- Do you know about the salvage shed at the Orange County Eubanks Road Convenience Center? It's off I-40 at the Hwy 86 (Chapel Hill) exit. At least they *used* to have a salvage shed; we haven't been there for years but used to use that center to take our trash (out where we live there's no trash pickup) and used it frequently then. Even found some decent stuff to take home! You might want to take your stuff to give away for freebies there instead of trashing it.

Ooops - just remembered you don't live in Orange Co, so you probably can't use the convenience center there -- maybe Durham has something similar? You might want to check the Durham County website under solid waste or some such...good luck!

Emily

[mimitabby]

I agree with you, Knot, Craig's list is a big pain. When you want something, it's not there, but when you don't want it, suddenly there it is and you don't need it, you don't have money for it. It's a terrible distraction.
it's also evil to look at craig's list in, say, San Francisco.. OOOOOOOOOOh
they have nice bikes but you CAN'T go look at them.
and it messes with your head.
of course buyer beware, but Craig's list isn't that much different from Ebay
or little nickel ads in that respect.

[SouthernBelle]

I've had some decent luck selling stuff on CL. Always for the full price too. Bought one or 2 things off of it. Much simpler than ebay and free to boot.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have had good luck selling on Craigslist. We sold a bed and my old bike on there. Didn't even have to come off on the price! Right now I have several formal dresses listed on there. No takers yet, but it isn't prom season.

That being said, I am leery of buying from there. I have been looking at trainers, but everyone has been real evasive about the details. How can you not tell me what year it is? Model? Argh!

My friend has great luck on there. He manages to find great things and talk the people down. It is almost annoying how good he is at it!

[7rider]

I've had really good luck with CL here in the D.C. area.
I sold a bike - my DH bought a bike. We've gotten exercise equipment (a nice rowing machine that is beside me unused at this moment, as I type this! ). I've also sold camera and stereo equipment, pots and pans, bike parts, and given away stuff in the "Free" section when I couldn't bring myself to ask for money for something. It's a great place to sell things that you don't want to throw out or give away because they're too good, but for which you really have no space in your life. And who has the time/space/energy to host a yard sale??