The scumbags (and imbeciles) of Craigslist

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Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
234
106
Why didn't you just name your thread "scumbags of (insert any form of trading that has ever existed here)"? It's not like this is some new phenomenon that only started with Craigslist. :p
 

Spook

Platinum Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,620
0
76
you did not post the ad, or show a description, but is it possibly a 500gb PATA drive? I see those running a bit higher on ebay... and would explain a $199 price tag
 

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,758
603
126
Craigslist didn't invent this. I remember during the early 90s browsing the computer section of the local classified...back when there were actually things in it. I recall ads with people selling computers, listing what the paid for it new, then offering a 20% discount off that price from 4 years ago and mentioning that it had hardly been used. That would be ridiculous now, but back then it was even more so.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,741
456
126
If his price is out of line then he won't sell it. By telling him his price was off you're cluing him in on why his merch isn't moving and now he can get closer to a price that people will fall for.

Thanks a lot
 

jupiter57

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2001
4,600
3
71
OK, I'll be the first to admit that I am a tightwad.
I am wanting to upgrade the TV in the Living Room (Older 25" CRT), so as usual, I go to Craigslist.
WOW! People trying to sell 42" Visio LCDs for $400- $500, they typically say something like "paid over $900 for it 4 years ago"!
Come on people, the same model (or specs for that brand) can be bought at Wal-mart for $420-$485 brand new with Manufacturers warranty.

Other than big screen TVs, though, I usually do quite good!
(Just last week I got a 20' Gooseneck cattle trailer for $2000, and it looks as though it may be less than a year old, even though it is actually 8 years old!)
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Other than big screen TVs, though, I usually do quite good! (Just last week I got a 20' Gooseneck cattle trailer for $2000, and it looks as though it may be less than a year old, even though it is actually 8 years old!)

Wow, that's a heck of a good deal. I only occasionally find good deals; too many people doing exactly what's in the OP. Sometimes I wonder if they're just jacking up their prices, hoping a lowballer actually offers more than the item is worth. But, they may be missing sales because people like me just ignore them completely.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,125
10,589
126
Sometimes I wonder if they're just jacking up their prices, hoping a lowballer actually offers more than the item is worth. But, they may be missing sales because people like me just ignore them completely.

Dealing needs to start in the same ballpark. I ignore anything I think is too high. If for no other reason, it would be an insult to offer drastically less than the asking price.
 
Apr 12, 2010
10,510
10
0
If people didn't fall for this stupid shit, then I wouldn't be making any money when selling my sperms labeled "Harry Potter".
 

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,881
549
126
The ones that irk me the most are the speaker scammers like in this add on Kijiji. (Canadian version of Graig list)

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...sen-home-theater-solutions-W0QQAdIdZ354671892

So here is what I do about it.

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...sen-home-theater-solutions-W0QQAdIdZ354705190

You can't post warning on Kijiji, they get taken down but in this format it usualy stays up.

Other comments that irk me in adds:

"Serious inquiries only" WTF, do you want to sell your stuff or not? Are you that busy that you can't be bothered to look at an email?

Or

"low ball offers will be ignored" as if this was not obvious or the normal behavior of sellers.

:rolleyes:
 

HumblePie

Lifer
Oct 30, 2000
14,665
440
126
Deals on CL for electronics are rarely ever found. People have no idea how fast their electronics depreciate. But then again there is a bottom out price as well regardless of the item involved.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
why the drama? just move on

oh and great move in texting your number to a crack head.
 

Ichinisan

Lifer
Oct 9, 2002
28,298
1,235
136
No link, OP? You don't want us to see that it was some 10,000 RPM server-class hard drive with 7-year warranty and some shelf wear on the package?
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,864
4,979
136
Wow, that's a heck of a good deal. I only occasionally find good deals; too many people doing exactly what's in the OP. Sometimes I wonder if they're just jacking up their prices, hoping a lowballer actually offers more than the item is worth. But, they may be missing sales because people like me just ignore them completely.

A lowballer doesn't offer more than an item is worth. It's the exact opposite, hence the name.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,353
1,862
126
A lowballer doesn't offer more than an item is worth. It's the exact opposite, hence the name.

I think he meant lowballer in relationship to the "asking price" not the "item worth" ...

item is worth $60
asking price is $180
Guy offers 90 thinking he's getting a good deal .... offering 50% of an asking price is "lowballing" .... but it's still a ton more than actual item worth.
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Deals on CL for electronics are rarely ever found. People have no idea how fast their electronics depreciate. But then again there is a bottom out price as well regardless of the item involved.

Yeah I like how people try to sell their old tube or projection TVs and then list the original sale price.

When you can buy a brand new LCD TV of decent size for $200 it's difficult to justify buying used. Manufacturers are trying to keep their margins intact by adding new technology like LED backlighting, 120 or 240 Hz, and 3D, but for most people any LCD will do the job and the only reason to replace an HDTV is if it breaks.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
Flag it or leave it alone ...

NOOO!!!

The OP feels strongly about this; strong enough to post about it here, right? OP needs to set up a meeting to buy the drive. When seller shows up, harvest the seller's organs. That'll teach him/her!
 

blinblue

Senior member
Jul 7, 2006
889
0
76
Yeah I like how people try to sell their old tube or projection TVs and then list the original sale price.

When you can buy a brand new LCD TV of decent size for $200 it's difficult to justify buying used. Manufacturers are trying to keep their margins intact by adding new technology like LED backlighting, 120 or 240 Hz, and 3D, but for most people any LCD will do the job and the only reason to replace an HDTV is if it breaks.

I was walking through Goodwill the other day, and all their TVs were listed at 99 cents each. Amazing how worthless they are now. You could probably sell the copper for more than that.
 

goog40

Diamond Member
Mar 16, 2000
4,198
1
0
I've found that a good percentage of buyers on Craigslist are complete morons, incapable of writing an email longer than five words. My favorite is when they lowball but make it a point to mention that they have the cash in hand, like that's supposed to impress me. Did you think I was going to accept food stamps from other buyers?