Has anyone here sold a computer on Craigslist?

[VirtualLarry]

I need some cash. So I was going to put one of my prized C2D rigs on Craigslist. Maybe one of my secondary rigs with AMD Opteron 165 + 6600GT too.

I'm curious what the usual transaction is like, what to expect, what I should do to prepare (security precautions). Where to meet (public place, my apt)?

Whether or not to include my cell # on the listing?

I was thinking, if they want XP on the computer, then I'll ask them to bring XP install media, and I can install it while they wait. Then again, they may not want to wait. (Or I may not want them in my apt.) I have some Vista Home Basic Retail Upgrade packages, I could use one of those. The other alternative, is to just install XP or Vista as a trial install (30-day time limit), as is allowed.

I don't particularly want to part with one of my paid-for copies of XP, they are getting hard to find these days.

Could I just tell them to go to Wal-Mart and purchase XP, before they come to me to get the computer?

Or should I list two prices, one with XP pre-installed, and one without? (Meaning, I would purchase and then install XP beforehand.)

Both rigs are currently overclocked. Do buyers prefer overclocked, or non-overclocked machines? Both machines are arguably gaming rigs. I could install a HD4850 (and an upgraded PSU) into the C2D rig if need be. Currently, it has a 256MB X1950Pro. Getting a little older, but still a decent gaming card. I would think that gamers would prefer overclocked rigs. (Both rigs are completely stable.)

I might just list "E2140 CPU @ 3.2Ghz", and not explicitly say "overclocked". That way I wouldn't scare off the less technically-inclined.

 

[jlee]

I think you're overthinking it.

'hi do u still have the compter and will u take 100$' is what you're gonna get.

List them on FS/T and be done with it.

 

[takeru]

prepare to haggle...

also, 7x dban all hard drives. meet in public place with decent amount of people...

 

[an51r]

I sold my last computer on craigslist and the nice thing is you can get what you want for it and sell it as a whole. With Craigslist you have to remember a lot of these people are intermediate or amateur when it comes to these things so it is best to go onto the Dell or HP site and find something equivalent to post as a reference.

When you ask for 1200 bucks it seems like way to much but when Dell or HP list a computer for 1200 people think it must be an amazing PC. So if you list your computer for 1200 and can show the HP or Dell equivalent going for 1500 they will be a little more comfortable with there investment.

Those are just my thoughts on the situation.

 

[OCGuy]

If a guy offers you $5000USD to send it to an escrow company, it is probably legit.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
If a guy offers you $5000USD to send it to an escrow company, it is probably legit.

Only if he's from Nigeria, though.

 

[olds]

Personally, I won't buy anything that has been overclocked.

 

[erub]

Sold my last 2 computers on craigslist, and am currently trying to sell a laptop after ebay deal went south. Put whatever OS on it you want, although I think a non-activated copy is kinda sketchy (but you can probably get away with it). Really, unless you list an OS in the description, you could just give them one with nothing on it. I've always had people come over to my house, but then again most of the places I've lived in have been controlled access (so I don't worry about them coming back later). Haven't had any problems with doing business this way. Cash only.

 

[FleshLight]

Sold a laptop that I bought for $100 for $300. Took a few weeks but I had no problems at all.

 

[takeru]

a laptop yeah, its easy for the buyer to test anywhere. a desktop though is a bit harder. i would NOT have the person go to where i live to try it. too many problems can happen afterwards.

 

[silverpig]

I usually just sell parts.

 

[jupiter57]

Originally posted by: JLee
I think you're overthinking it.

'hi do u still have the compter and will u take 100$' is what you're gonna get.

List them on FS/T and be done with it.

QFT: I sell a couple of laptops every month on CL, And I ALWAYS add "FIRM" & "CASH" on the asking prices.
But you can count on getting a lot of hagglers on there. Some even have the gall to make a lowball offer before they ask anything about it or see it, I hang up on these types!
The worst ones are the ones who ask a hundred questions, can barely comprehend what you're telling them, taking 10 - 20 minutes of your time, and THEN throw you the lowball offer! (Apparently, "FIRM" is not in their vocabulary!)

I always post the exact specs, programs, etc. and a good pic, sometimes 3-4 in my postings, but approx. 75% of callers want you to go through the whole list again (?) & explain what each & every spec. or program is for!

Then, there are the buyers who go through the whole quizzing ordeal, say they'll take it, then ask if they can make weekly/ monthly payments on it, or worse, ask if you'll trade it for some obscure/obsolete desktop, video game collection, Playstation, etc.! What part of "CASH" don't they understand?

As far as listing them here on FS/FT, heck, that's where I get 1/2 of the units I sell, I buy them here at a reduced price, them sell them to the public. Sometimes I can nearly double my money!

For the record, I always list my Cell Ph. #, though that is optional.

 

[dud]

Prepare yourself to have to deal with the following:

1) Scammers

2) People who say they are interested but never show up

3) People who try to low-ball you to death

I've found that a LOT of people selling computers on CL are high on something ... they post prices that are way out of whack. Only the least educated would even consider buying their over-priced crap.

 

[Deviant Grasshopper]

I sold a laptop on ebay once. I learned my lesson - some old woman bought it, junked it up with spyware within 7 days, and then denied the paypal charge claiming the computer was broken.

It was a nightmare of an experience that taught me not to sell computers, ever. It just isn't worth it... I give them away to friends/family members with the condition that they don't contact me for help with it.

 

[dakels]

I sold a laptop on CL. I had to shake off some nigerian scammers at first and reposted my ad with Must meet face to face, and cash only. I got a nice buyer, met up with them and sold it for $600 cash.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: an51r
I sold my last computer on craigslist and the nice thing is you can get what you want for it and sell it as a whole. With Craigslist you have to remember a lot of these people are intermediate or amateur when it comes to these things so it is best to go onto the Dell or HP site and find something equivalent to post as a reference.

When you ask for 1200 bucks it seems like way to much but when Dell or HP list a computer for 1200 people think it must be an amazing PC. So if you list your computer for 1200 and can show the HP or Dell equivalent going for 1500 they will be a little more comfortable with there investment.

Those are just my thoughts on the situation.

The closest thing to what I'm selling is the Dell XPS 625 gaming computer. Configured with 4GB of RAM, an AMD X2 5600 BE @ 2.9Ghz dual-core, and an HD4850 graphics card (and a floppy drive), it comes out to $1200. With XP SP3, (downgrade from Vista Ultimate).

Mine is a C2D @ 3.2Ghz, so it's more than 25% faster than that PC in the CPU dept.

I was hoping I could get $800 for it with the X1950Pro, or $1000 with the HD4850 and upgraded 500W PSU.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: erub
I've always had people come over to my house, but then again most of the places I've lived in have been controlled access (so I don't worry about them coming back later). Haven't had any problems with doing business this way. Cash only.

Hmm. I live in an apt building, with a front-door buzzer. Would that be safe enough?

 

[Newbian]

Try trading it for some used panties.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

I don't particularly want to part with one of my paid-for copies of XP, they are getting hard to find these days.

hard to find?

 

[JDMnAR1]

My rule of thumb is if it is something that is prone to failure given improper usage, etc. (such as a computer or electronics) I absolutely do not handle the transaction at my residence. Now matter how much you emphasize "as is, no warranty" in the event that something goes wrong with the item it is much easier to avoid a confrontation if all they have is your cell number and/or email address.

As far as the question re: loading on OS on it for them - sure, if they want to give you the OS and you can contact them when it is ready. No way would I have someone hanging out at my place while I load an OS on the system for them. You might wind up in a bathtub full of ice missing a kidney or something.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

I don't particularly want to part with one of my paid-for copies of XP, they are getting hard to find these days.

hard to find?

Those are all OEM versions. You can still get OEM versions, it's the retail versions that I'm talking about that are hard to find.

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: erub
I've always had people come over to my house, but then again most of the places I've lived in have been controlled access (so I don't worry about them coming back later). Haven't had any problems with doing business this way. Cash only.

Hmm. I live in an apt building, with a front-door buzzer. Would that be safe enough?

Sounds good to me. The only time I've been remotely bothered about someone coming back, was when I was selling some monitors..she complained picture looked lousy, even geek squad couldnt help her. I told her to download the drivers, wowsa problem fixed!

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: jupiter57
I always post the exact specs, programs, etc. and a good pic, sometimes 3-4 in my postings, but approx. 75% of callers want you to go through the whole list again (?) & explain what each & every spec. or program is for!

I do this because I want to be perfectly clear that the specs are right. Some people just copy from online.

Once I confirmed the laptop specs through email AND verbally, only to find out the specs for the laptop was WRONG when I finally met with him and inspected it thoroughly myself. The jerk claimed that I could get the higher resolution, which was he listed in the specs, IF I hooked it up to an external monitor. wow..... :disgust:

(I did research to see that the higher resolution was possible for the laptop, but only on certain models which is why I wanted to confirm.)

 

[WT]

Larry, why do you need the retail copies ?? If you are selling the rig, you don't mind that the license is tied to the board after you sell it.

Either way, good luck with selling them. I'm building two rigs to sell for much less than yours, but my target market is a semi-gamer budget rig too. Just made my first CL purchase last month, so now I'd like to see how selling it goes. Looking at other sales, people seem to be selling absolute JUNK (I'm talking P4 2.0 PCs with 256 RAM) for $250 !

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: dakels
I sold a laptop on CL. I had to shake off some nigerian scammers at first and reposted my ad with Must meet face to face, and cash only. I got a nice buyer, met up with them and sold it for $600 cash.

Similar story took about a week for mine to sell.