Nosey Craigslist Buyers

last time it was 2 younger fellas buying a snowblower.i had garage door open,one was looking around-when the second one says-u don't have any windows in your garage!(garage doors face my kitchen window for security) don't need them I said.i can shoot anybody dead from my kitchen window,my gun is loaded and racked.u would'nt even know its coming.they bought the blower and left mumbling about a nut case....

I sell stuff daily on craigslist..

Here are my standard policies...

Call me about an hour before you want to come and I'll give you some directions..

Call me again when you turn down my road so I it gives me a few minutes to take care of the dog. (My dog is very friendly but they don't know that)

When they turn down my road and call, I close all doors.

I have had a couple of folks who have tried to walk around my property asking about stuff.. I treat each person differently.. Women never try that.. if its an old man (60+) I just let them do whatever.. For anyone younger than that, I assert some control and reel them back with gentile conversational manipulation.

I have only had two people, out of several hundred over the years, who I have had to get rude with and say "excuse me, where do you think you're going?"
In both cases, they fell right back in line and purchased the item they came to see.

Well, one of the wonderful things about CL is that there is never ever just one thing up for sale. After having people be snitty and rude to me for calling when the ad said texts only, I won't call a text only labeled ad.

I haven't had any bad experiences... heck I even got my husband off Craigslist! Still very happy with that find. But we have had our share of weirdos,lol. One guy who was there to buy a karaoke machine I had taken in barter started complimenting me a little too much to my husband--- he was sent packing quickly with a clear do not return.

I do not operate a museum.

This guy walked back 20 feet or so and started looking around inside the barn and asking me questions about what type of tractor, the backhoe was attached to.

No, I don't do that.

I had one item for sale, not running a second hand store, where you browse all you want. I did not know this guy, he may have been casing me.

You are welcome to let strangers snoop around on your property.

Sorry you feel that way.

All they said they wanted to come and look at it at three. I had no other calls, so i said "ok". They didn't ask for directions or anything.

I texted the first caller before agreeing to the the second one, anyway and got no reply - ever.

I guess i could have done "the right thing" - in your eyes (which I did think about anyway) and would have ended up getting burned, if the second buyer moved on.

But, that would have then been my tough luck, right?

I think you were wrong.

That's what you asked about.

I think it was wrong of the person who didnt show up to not show up/ contact you as well, but that is besides the point. Their actions don't make you right 'just because'.

Honest is honest in and of itself, and you weren't. You will tell anyone anything to get your item sold, -that- is the point you are making. And I think it is a poor thing.



I understand your point on the snooping around, but that is human nature and as others have said, often more stuff is for sale... Myself I would expect folks to look around a bit, not wear blinders; but I do at least understand your side of that, really never considered that such a thing would really bother anyone.....

Paul

I make myself very clear... I don't hold items. If you have an appointment at 5pm I let you know that if someone shows up before you with the cash, it's gone. I will call/email everyone involved when that happens too. "Item xyz is gone, thanks for your interest!" Only exception is when I have had a litter of puppies. With those they tell me which one they are interested in seeing and I bring that puppy and an alt puppy out for them to look at. No one enters my animal area, bio-security is too important.

It even works that way in a retail shop, for the most part. If I don't know you I'm not holding anything that someone else might pop in and buy.

Hay, first one with the money, and don't call and tell me to ship you a semi load with out payment and I don't know you.

Smaller things is play by ear, if you get a real quick response they want it, if it has set for a while who ever shows up first.

My 2c to your two part question.

1) No, I don't blame you. I would feel leery of people snooping around as well.

2) I do CL this way: I first tell people who call that they need to come out that day to look at it, if they cannot, I tell them to call back later if they're still interested because I can't hold an item while they make up their mind. Then I write down names and numbers and time they called in the order received. I tell each of them, you are caller #2 and I will let you know if #1 falls through. After 5 people have called, I tell them the item is pending but they are welcome to call back if they still see the ad. I no longer write down names.

So now I have a list:
John called at 10 a.m.
Joy called at 10:15 a.m.
Jennuvia called at 10:23 a.m.
Jehosephat called 10:24 a.m.
Jackson called at 10:34 a.m.

John has first dibs and we agree upon a time. If he doesn't show within the hour when he is supposed to, that day, I then call Joy and so on. This works without fail and seems to be fair. I will also call each of the prospectives if the item has sold. It takes a few minutes and I like tying up loose ends.

I've been on the buying end and have gone out to get something, to be told I was beat to it because another seller had more money. That was frustrating with wasted time and gas and no courtesy call.

It's not wise to have somebody come look at your item in your barn or whatever where other stuff are.

Most people who look around are just looking - I love old barns - but I wouldn't just go snooping around. Most people are just looking to see if you might have something you don't want anymore that catches their eye - and they can ask you if you are interested in selling it - might as well make a trip pay for itself.

The problem with some people looking around though, is they might be looking for stuff for themselves - and have no intention of buying it - they will case your place out and come back later to break in.

And even for the people just looking around who are honest - all it takes is for them to tell somebody dishonest "I got a great deal on CL for a mower, and these people have a 1952 Ford Tractor that looks brand new - but it's the orginal paint - it's just well taken care of." The dishonest person simply needs to just ask the person who got the mower "What was the name of these people?" or "Where do they live?"

If you must have the item in your barn or garage - block off other things with a big tarp or sheet - and have the item for sell right at the entrance.

You can never really tell if the person coming is really honest or not - looks can be deceiving.

Just got to be careful.

As for selling it first come, first served - then list it that way. But otherwise, if someone calls and sets a time to come and says they will take it, and then someone else calls and can get there before the first buyer, I would tell them I have it potentially sold, but if the first buyer doesn't show or doesn't buy it, I'll give you a call back.

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Michael W. Smith in North-West Pennsylvania

"Everything happens for a reason."

As a seller - I try to meet somewhere public (usually the WalMart) unless it is something I can't take there. I have them call me before they leave, so that I don't waste time going to a meeting and them not turn up. If they **have** to come to the house then I put the item out on the drive and shut all doors so nothing is visible. I tell everyone that it is first come, first served. I hold nothing - been burned too many times for that

Mary

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In politics the truth is just the lie you believe most - unknown

I think it's just common courtesy that when a buyer has set up an appointment to come and see an item, he gets first dibs. That is, unless you specifically advise him that you're going to sell to the first guy who shows up with cash.

I used to feel that way too, but I have had people swear up and down that they really, really wanted something, I have held it till the time they were supposed to come and ... nothing. They didn't arrive. Didn't call. Didn't return a text. This has happened several times. So now if you can't come over right away and can't get here till tomorrow afternoon I advise you to call me then so I can tell you whether I still have it.

As a buyer that can be frustrating as I *always* turn up, but I do understand how people get burned out real fast about no-shows.

Mary

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In politics the truth is just the lie you believe most - unknown

Things I sell on CL I meet at the parking lot of a local Homedepot or Lowes and park where parking lot cameras can get a good look(just in case).