Huss
Veteran
I am used to people replying to ads I've placed with comments such as 'is it still available?' with no mention of what it is. So basically wanting you to reply so they have your email address for marketing etc.
Last night I received what I think is a new version of this:
"im much interested in buying it... PLS get back to me with your number for text and call."
"I'm interested in buying your item... PLS get back to me with your NUMBER for text/call.."
Just a heads up.
FYI in my ad I stated that unless they include their phone # and what they are looking at I would not reply to inquiries.
Last night I received what I think is a new version of this:
"im much interested in buying it... PLS get back to me with your number for text and call."
"I'm interested in buying your item... PLS get back to me with your NUMBER for text/call.."
Just a heads up.
FYI in my ad I stated that unless they include their phone # and what they are looking at I would not reply to inquiries.
B-9
Devin Bro
Common response for Facebook classifieds.
Typically no response after the initial “i want it”
I used to enjoy selling locally, now I dread selling anything.
Recently sold my classic Dodge D150 pickup, it had been a labor of love, I had replaced just about everything held on with a bolt. Made out a really bargain price for it (rust free body and bed!) and had a hell of a time sorting out the creeps from those actually interested.
Had a man repeatedly threaten me with violence if I wouldn’t take 100$ for my “****ty old truck”.
Never again! I ignore 90% of messages I get about items for sale. If their first question isn’t when and where can I see it I skip the small talk and delete their message.
Typically no response after the initial “i want it”
I used to enjoy selling locally, now I dread selling anything.
Recently sold my classic Dodge D150 pickup, it had been a labor of love, I had replaced just about everything held on with a bolt. Made out a really bargain price for it (rust free body and bed!) and had a hell of a time sorting out the creeps from those actually interested.
Had a man repeatedly threaten me with violence if I wouldn’t take 100$ for my “****ty old truck”.
Never again! I ignore 90% of messages I get about items for sale. If their first question isn’t when and where can I see it I skip the small talk and delete their message.
JoeLopez
Well-known
I still sell plenty of items locally, facebook marketplace is much better than craigslist in the metro detroit market. Age old protections apply 
Steve M.
Veteran
Craigslist is what it is, and it is what it always has been. I buy and sell there, and I'm very picky about both. The scams the op mentioned have been around for a while.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
This year we sold our boat, minivan and I exchanged my Cron lens to another Cron lens. And my wife sold many items.
Wait.... It was not CL, but Kijiji. CL is long time dusty corner in Ontario..
Wait.... It was not CL, but Kijiji. CL is long time dusty corner in Ontario.
.
bmattock
Veteran
No matter what social systems humans build, horrible people will use it to hurt each other. Life sucks.
Corran
Well-known
My tip for CL, is to state all terms in extremely specific language and to be very terse and to the point. That seems to scare away the scammers...in my experience anyway.
I listed a piece of audio equipment a few months ago, very high price item (like M10 level). I was very, very specific and had lots of caps-lock statements, aka NO SHIPPING, CASH ONLY, etc.
I got only a few responses, including the one person I did sell to. He totally understood the ad and reason for writing it as such. We met at a police department, exchanged cash for the item, and both left satisfied.
I specifically wanted to sell on CL to avoid hefty eBay/PP fees when dealing with many thousands of dollars. Plus I sold it for 10% over the typical eBay price (people are willing to pay more for a high-end item in-person with a chance to inspect the merchandise). Made an extra $500 or so from the extra money + no fee sale. So CL is nice, sometimes.
I listed a piece of audio equipment a few months ago, very high price item (like M10 level). I was very, very specific and had lots of caps-lock statements, aka NO SHIPPING, CASH ONLY, etc.
I got only a few responses, including the one person I did sell to. He totally understood the ad and reason for writing it as such. We met at a police department, exchanged cash for the item, and both left satisfied.
I specifically wanted to sell on CL to avoid hefty eBay/PP fees when dealing with many thousands of dollars. Plus I sold it for 10% over the typical eBay price (people are willing to pay more for a high-end item in-person with a chance to inspect the merchandise). Made an extra $500 or so from the extra money + no fee sale. So CL is nice, sometimes.
bmattock
Veteran
I like the "no scammers" disclaimers. Like a scammer is going to read that and go away.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Huss, sold a few lenses on CL over the summer, and regularly got that response. "I'm interested. Email me your phone number." Not even saying what they were interested in, but wanting my email address & phone number. Not gonna happen. I just delete them. It's frustrating, but I've sold quite a number of items locally thru CL.
Best,
-Tim
Best,
-Tim
benlees
Well-known
In Canada we have Kijiji for online ads. They have their own messaging system- like the PM here- which negates the need for email and phone numbers- if you want. Works very well.
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
About a year ago I bought a new couch. Which meant I needed to do something with the old one. It was in decent condition but not really worth much $. Called the local Salvation Army and they would take it but couldn't come get it. And it was too big to fit into or on my vehicle.
Aha! I listed it on cl. For free. All they had to do was come get it. And that was ridiculously hard to do.
Lots of silly questions, starting with "what color is it?"..."Same color as in the pictures... to "Will it fit in my car?"..."Can you deliver it?"..."No. Did you read the ad?".."Will you ship it to...?"
The folks that ended up with the couch were apparently literate, their email was "We are so and so, this is our phone number, can you call and let us know when/where we can get the couch. Thank you!" But it took way too long to give away a couch. (I did think about putting it out to the curb with a $25 sign on it and hoping some one would "steal" it but it was a very rainy week)
Of course, I ended up with both couches in my living room for a couple days...
Rob
Aha! I listed it on cl. For free. All they had to do was come get it. And that was ridiculously hard to do.
Lots of silly questions, starting with "what color is it?"
..."Same color as in the pictures... to "Will it fit in my car?"..."Can you deliver it?"..."No. Did you read the ad?".."Will you ship it to...?" The folks that ended up with the couch were apparently literate, their email was "We are so and so, this is our phone number, can you call and let us know when/where we can get the couch. Thank you!" But it took way too long to give away a couch. (I did think about putting it out to the curb with a $25 sign on it and hoping some one would "steal" it but it was a very rainy week)
Of course, I ended up with both couches in my living room for a couple days...
Rob
stevierose
Ann Arbor, Michigan
My wife and I are "down-sizing" and I have some things that local sale really is the only good option for. Can any of you point me to somewhere that explains how best to deal with Craigslist given all that you have stated above? Fortunately, our local county sherifs office explicitly encourages people to do their Craigslist exchanges there for safety. I am generally pretty savvy, but would love to benefit from others experiences. Thanks!
Steve
Steve
Huss
Veteran
Tim - yeah I've bought and sold lots on Craiglist. I've always had to deal with timewasters but all that mattered is that there always was a legit buyer. And the face to face transaction was much better than paying ebay/paypal fees, shipping, having the possibility of returns etc.
This is more of a heads up as I havent seen this before, but asking for name +phone # ventures into privacy issues.
css9450
Veteran
I've never bought or sold anything on CL, but one thing I am certain of: My one ad placed there resulted in about a tenfold increase in spam emails. It was like letting the genie out of the bottle; there was no getting it back in.
Scapevision
Well-known
with kijiji app messaging your email is actually hidden.
Huss
Veteran
NY_Dan
Well-known
I sold a photo item to someone in California. Thieves stole the package from the front door of his apartment building. Post office said there's been a lot of that - so they try to hide packages from view! Immediately found item, which is rare, on Craigslist - located less than 1/2 mile from buyer. Police would not get involved. Local newspaper said they would, and never did get involved. Filed case with postal inspector - never heard back. 6 months have gone by - item has been relisted continuously on Craigslist. Notified Craigslist and they did zip.
Hogarth Ferguson
Well-known