Totally sketched out by Craigslist emailer/prospective buyer

[droptrd]

I do the google thing everytime. I assume people do it to me as well. If you dont like it, tuff shit. I also do the GC thing all the time. I dont see anything wrong with it. I dont think GC has a problem with it either. Otherwise they would throw us out. CL is frustrating. But it does work - most of the time. The scam emails and lowballers drive me nuts. I like to accept the lowballers price and then when they email back for a meeting I never reply back and watch them freak out I have a sick sense of humor sometimes

Ive doen countless deals on CL. Only one was bad. I drove an hour to meet a guy to sell my goth LP at a price we agreed upon and the fucker lowballed me right there at GC. Like a dumbass i accepted. I drove home wishing I wouldve told the dude to get fucked.

I sell pedals all the time on CL. I put the price plus "free shipping". I sell pedals fast on CL. And I never have to deal with people directly. Plus I dont get lowballed as much that way. Maybe cause of the "free shipping"

 

[Spaceboy]

Honestly, if someone was that straightforward and told me they Googled my information before I went through with a deal, I would be a little creeped out, but probably not offended enough to retract from a deal. I really don't understand why he wouldn't want to meet at GC, but he probably though it was fishy that you weren't willing to meet at either party's house to check out the gear in a place he was comfortable. I've been to dozens homes through Craigslist dealing and never been raped once, but I do see your side too. I don't know, I think both of you were probably playing it a little too safe.

I think how we approach Craigslist could have something to do with where we live as well. I don't know what Tennessee is like, but I would never go over to someone's house in Boston. There is a lot of crime in that city. Didn't you hear about the pizza delivery guy who was brutally murdered by three minors? No way man, I would never do that here. Too sketchy. I am a happily married 29 year-old, and would love to stay that way!

I've lived in Atlanta and Chicago and used Craigslist, but honestly I'm not that cautious about Craigslist and not too afraid of those rare situations like that. I also deliver food for a living.

I don't see a problem with Googling who you're dealing with, but you probably shouldn't mention it to them. I prefer to handle deals over the phone rather than through email, as it feels more natural and you can get a natural conversation flowing easily.

I'll probably be the first of us to be raped and chopped into little pieces.

 

[vultures]

Honestly, if someone was that straightforward and told me they Googled my information before I went through with a deal, I would be a little creeped out, but probably not offended enough to retract from a deal. I really don't understand why he wouldn't want to meet at GC, but he probably though it was fishy that you weren't willing to meet at either party's house to check out the gear in a place he was comfortable. I've been to dozens homes through Craigslist dealing and never been raped once, but I do see your side too. I don't know, I think both of you were probably playing it a little too safe.

Wtf? Getting raped takes $100 off the deal, duh.

 

[billm408]

The only thing you did wrong was tell him you searched his name. I've done a fair amount of deals through CL and generally have no problems going to a seller's place or having a buyer come to mine. But I talk to everyone on the phone first and I'm cautious. Remember way back before Fleabay, CL and forums when you'd sell stuff through newspapers and hand scribbled notes at the local music store?

 

[Ventura]

You know man, gut instinct is all this is about... Follow your gut instinct and don't overthink it. It's done, fuck it. Game over, move forward.

I think people need to realize that personal information ain't that personal anymore. Everyone Google's everybody nowadays, it's just the way it goes. If someone wants to back out of a deal because of it, or doesn't want to meet in a 'neutral' zone, ya man, screw it, not worth the worry. The beauty of the internet today, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, is that we openly allowed ourselves to be transparent and no longer confidential. Great scam, really - Google can track our every cyber move, as well, we've web'd ourselves enough fragments out there that the bots and spiders can piece it all together and give you a snapshot of anyone including yourself. There would have been a time not that long ago that people would have got their backs up about any of this, and for whatever reason, we've freely let this happen to ourselves

Botton line, gut instinct - go with it. I think you did the right thing, now fuck it, and move forward...

V.

 

[VoodooChild24]

I do a lot of CL deals and very cautious with it too. I have people come over to my house by I make sure that we
do the transaction in the garage and not inside the house. Some people I meet in a local commercial complex near
my house.

My wife freaks out whenever I do a CL deal. She was never fond of the idea and she makes sure she gets the name
and the phone number of the person I'm meeting. Heck, we just watched the Craigslist killer 3 weeks ago. lol.

So far I have good experiences with CL deals.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Damn, mess with the Goose and you get the beak!
Wow, lesson served, and a harsh one at that.....please don't take this as insulting, I have too many skeletons in my Google closet, lol

 

[Gooseman]

Damn, mess with the Goose and you get the beak!
Wow, lesson served, and a harsh one at that.....please don't take this as insulting, I have too many skeletons in my Google closet, lol

Naw man, I just found that other guy to be sort of rude with no reason as to why. Then I did a search on him and found that he has a pattern of trolling, so using his own language of "ball-busting," I messed with him back.

LOL, I will have to remember your beak quote! Hilarious! Thanks.

 

[RedB4Black]

hell, I google everyone I deal with over the internet - not just Craigslist people. Just need to find out that they are who they say they are. Especially if they are using a gmail or yahoo e-mail address or other throw-away address. Why wouldn't you? I'd expect people to do the same on my name. Never had a problem in any deal I've ever done - aside from one guy who took 5 months to finish paying me.

 

[putnut77]

You did the right thing man. CL always seems a bit sketchy to me. Ive sold a few things from CL and have met the people at the mall, or a dunkin doughnuts or somewhere other than my home. I always make sure I bring a friend with me; a little added muscle never hurt. I try to avoid CL at all costs.

 

[MississippiMetal]

Fear and paranoia of violence has as much to do with the perpetuation of it as does violence itself.

 

[Ventura]

Fear and paranoia of violence has as much to do with the perpetuation of it as does violence itself.

In summary, nothing to fear but fear itself.

Good post, wise man... It's too bad that we live in a society that has to go 'there' whenever we think about anything. What's this of the CL Killer, a show?? A documentary?? That's so f'd up... Perhaps these things didn't happen to the extent they are in today's times and today's world, but that just leads me to think 'desparate times, desparate measures', which doesn't say much about where we're all heading as a societal and conscious collective.

Blah blah blah...
V.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Fear and paranoia of violence has as much to do with the perpetuation of it as does violence itself.

In summary, nothing to fear but fear itself.

Philosophical quotes doesn't do squat when you meet up with a CL Nutball...high risk is unmistakable, pay the eBay fees and keep yourself safe

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I have done plenty of CL deals.....I just carry a .45 with me and make sure I am aware of my surroundings. I have never had a problem. If you are gonna try and ass rape me you had better be prepared for a fight.

I may only be 190lbs but it can 190lbs of mean.

 

[Gitfiddler]

i've met buyers in some very sketchy neighborhoods and question my judgment in hindsight. threads like this remind me to be more careful.

google, search email addresses on facebook/myspace, and look for people on sheriffs' arrest records websites and property appraiser websites (search their name or address). take your gun if you have the appropriate license

i try to keep my physical distance and stand between the person and their car while they're handling the gear. i also keep the gear in or near my trunk while they're looking at it.
i'd rather take the price hit and try to sell/trade to a store than deal with craigslist drama. i've had pawn shops pay what price i'm asking as well.

most people are cool and mean well. just don't discuss the Van Halen 1 rig setup with them and you should be ok.

 

[MississippiMetal]

Fear and paranoia of violence has as much to do with the perpetuation of it as does violence itself.

In summary, nothing to fear but fear itself.

Philosophical quotes doesn't do squat when you meet up with a CL Nutball...high risk is unmistakable, pay the eBay fees and keep yourself safe

The quote is not there for eye candy. Predators pick up on it if you're acting like a paranoid pussy, and they'll prey on you based on what kind of vibe you're giving off. Fear provokes a predator. In more cases than people realize, an opportunity turns an otherwise "normal" person into a predator. It's just as common as the "normal" person who becomes a thief when someone walking in front of them drops a $20 bill and they pick it up and pocket it out of reflex.

Prisoners survive this kind of danger and worse every day. You ask them how they do it, and two things are at the top of their list:

- Never let your guard down.
- Don't let them see your fear.

You present weakness neither tactically nor psychologically.

Bringing someone to your home and conducting business in a specific part of the house like the garage, is fine in many cases. You have homecourt advantage, which goes a long way for your confidence and how you carry yourself to the prospective buyer.

I could delve into a big long analysis of risk management with regards to CL sales, but in short, it's best to just say be careful, but stand tall. Don't let them see your fear.

And obviously don't do stupid shit like turning your back to them, following them to somewhere dark, or allowing them to turn their back and hide their hands. This should all be common sense.

 

[Digital Jams]

Damn I am glad my gear flipping days are pretty much over

I post it here and just wait till it sells, pretty much it.

The kid I met in a JC Penny parking lot for a marshall was amusing though

 

[Spaceboy]

I guess I'm in good standing when it comes to Craigslist. I'm too hotheaded and arrogant to be intimidated.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

MissiMetal: all true and good points. However, that would be good advice when you accidently find yourself in a situation- a CL transaction is a situation you choose to put yourself into- bad tactical move IMO

 

[Shiny_Surface]

just don't discuss the Van Halen 1 rig setup with them and you should be ok.