apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

that happens to me all of the time. What also happens is if lets say its a great item for $300. I will email that I want it or call, they will say ok, set up time etc. then call and say sorry someone offered $350 for it.

when i'm selling I've had numerous no-shows.

What's that picture from? Looks like a pretty nifty utility!

the picture is from listpic.com, the "visual craigslist browser"... keep in mind, it only posts the ads with pictures, but its such a time saver!

I drove through the rain and snow one evening to pick up a credenza for my girlfriend only to arrive to find another individual loading it into their car. The seller had PROMISED me the item. I was livid and wanted to punch him in the nose but refrained.

I have bought and sold at least 100 items on CL. It's simple; The first person to respond gets first refusal provided they are willing to come at an agreed upon time. I will then inform the other interested parties of their place in line and then if the original buyer falls through (9 times out of 10) I move on. When the item sells I e-mail all those whe responded to the ad informing them so.

I've had buyers come by without a truck when told they would need one and forced to sit for an hour while they hund one down, I've had buyers try to pay in foreign currency, credit card, check, and yes, barter with other junk...

I require a phone # and will not go back and forth through e-mail- you get one response and then we talk, during that conversation we set-up a time and price. I'm always accomidating but firm.

When buying...well it's a dogfight. I send an e-mail with my intention to buy the item (not view the item unless it's a big ticket item- I have found that when you tell a seller you want to come buy and view the item they'll pass onto someone who wants to BUY the item) I include my phone # and when we speak I arrange a time to come by- usually ASAP and at the sellers soonest convienence (I have found that trying to buy at one's own convienence shoots one to the back of the line), I get assurances that the item will not be sold out from under me and I always come ready and with cash (depending on how much I want the item I may bring a bit more in case the terms change on me), a vehicle and any help I may need.

That being said- sometimes you get screwed. In the end what goes around comes around so always be nice, just, and aimable...one doesn't want negative List Kharma.

chicago.listpic.com/fur

If someone stopped by sooner with cash in hand you can't expect the seller to say "no thanks, someone is coming by later to LOOK at it"

If you were going to definitely, for sure, absolutely going to buy it that's something you should solidfy with the seller.

If the seller makes an appointment with you, they should honor it and that's what I would hope for as a buyer.

The flip side is that I've been burned when I've made an appointment with someone and they simply fail to appear. Perhaps this seller is of the "bird in hand" philosophy after similar experience.

Ana, true. My point was that no one just "stops by" with cash unless contact was made and a time and address was given. It's not always convenient or time effective, but I've always practiced (and received the same courtesy) that you prioritize a list of buyers, and when one doesn't work out you move on to the next.

I know anyone can do it how they choose, I was just so surprised for this "method"...basically, "hey! i know i told you to come at 6pm and i'm late getting you my address, but, too bad!"

i had arranged my evening schedule around our set time. argh.

ps. listpic.com is fantastic! Janel posted about it a while back.

I think it is up to the seller to make his/her policy clear - are they arranging times to see/sell the item based on the order in which they were contacted, or does the first person who shows up and wants it get it? While I think the first is often expected, I understand (as an occasional seller that has had many people flake) that a quick response time doesn't mean someone is more likely to actually buy an item than someone who isn't, perhaps, checking craigslist as often.
That being said, if a seller arranges a time for someone to come see/buy the item, as was described in the post, it implies that the seller is going by the former strategy - and if that's the case, s/he should stick by it. In other words - yes, the seller was wrong!

Julian:
great points all around.

I've been on both sides of this situation and I think it has to be a first come, first serve rule.

Too many people don't show when appointments are made so it's hard to say no when an interested party is in your house and ready to buy. I do like to give other potential buyers a heads-up that I have earlier showings.

On the flip-side, I've lost a few a items that I haven't been able to be the one to make an appointment for the earliest showing.

I strongly believe that holding out out for a better price or creating a bidding situation is abhorrent and not in the spirit of Craigslist (go to ebay in that case).

If the ad specifically says "first come first served" then you can expect someone to beat you to it - at least that's always my luck.
However, if someone actually sets up an appointment with you and you were the first person to respond, it's just rude to not honor that. I understand not wanting to wait around for someone, but that's why you schedule person 1 to stop by at 5, person 2 at 5:15, etc., then the chances are good that SOMEONE will show up.

Once I drove a friend to get a bike and as we were a block from the address, saw a dude walking the bike north up Western Ave. Now that's infuriating.

In the past few months I’ve used Craigslist heavily as a Seller, selling furniture in advance of a remodel, it gave me a lot of insight into the Seller’s perspective – and as a result – how to be the Buyer that gets the item. Actually Heather, I think you said it all right there, 'hopefully' for the sale. While Freecycle has certain rules of etiquette, and eBay has legally binding rules, when it comes to Craigslist I think it’s all about what works for the Seller. So many people make appointments, and then don’t show or show but don’t want it (or try to lowball you when the price in the ad says ‘firm’), that I now understand why Seller’s make multiple appointments. The singular Seller goal is: sell it quickly! On the other side, as the Buyer, if I’m pretty sure I’ll want it (easy when I’m shopping for recognizable brands), I ask for the first time convenient to the Seller and then make that work for me (that's the best way to secure first option-to-buy I've found). If I’m asking the Seller for a *mutually convenient* time, I fully understand that the first Buyer to see it will likely get it. If I don’t have some flexibility in my schedule, I don’t bother shopping, only because I’ve found appointment making to be a frustrating experience... and I nearly always find that item again, or something better, at a time that works for me.

I consider myself lucky if I’m emailed or called, before an appointment, and told that an item is gone... one Buyer told me recently that he’d driven 45 minutes, to get to an appointment, only to have the Seller clearly be home but not answer the door. When he phoned with his cell he was told the item had sold, they simply didn’t call to tell him he needn’t drive that far, so he had a 45 minute drive home plus bridge toll. Only then did I understand why he repeatedly confirmed our appointment.

Always, if you're selling:
* cash only (and have a $5 cash pen from the office supply on hand to make sure they're legit... someone tried to pass off fake $50's to me)
* no money orders (you're liable for what you deposit to your bank and it can take them up to 2 months to channel back to you a forged money order and they're so easy to fake)
* no cashier's checks (also easy to fake, I've only accepted a cashier's check when we met at the bank and I saw the teller draw it up, it was for a vehicle sale)
* people requesting shipping, asking you to hold the item without having seen it, or asking you to arrange shipping are nearly always scammers

Hey, please send me the link to the ad.

thanks!

Craig

Heather, I'm really sorry— that's so crummy.
I'd like to echo Rucy's response. I've had more experience as a seller than a buyer and I feel VERY fortunate that I've only had one no show—everyone else has made the appointment with cash in hand, so I have no horror stories to tell. I also have determined that I can't shop on Craig's list if I don't have immediate availability to view and purchase because if it's a good deal, it just won't last. If it's a large item, the seller wants it gone ASAP!
That said, the ethical way is first interested call or email gets first dibs to see/and or purchase and on down the list from there, but some people are not ethical and some just have ants in their pants.Beware.

hi Craig!
sorry, the ad is long gone...

Happened to my husband and I twice. I no longer do craigslist. It's just so heartbreaking! We contacted a seller and the person said "It's yours." We arranged a pick up according to their schedule (we were ready to pick up that night but they told us to wait until Sunday at 10am or something) - then Sunday morning we get an email, not a phone call, saying they sold the item to someone the day before! What the heck? This is after we borrowed our friends truck, got a friend to help out, etc. We wrote back that we were disappointed she didn't just call us or tell us to get it earlier and the woman completely freaked out in email calling us names and stuff. It was really strange.

When I sell I always state first one who puts cash in my hand get's it. I don't raise the price because of demand or people fighting over it. If the item is large and you need time to arrange delivery, I always insist on a deposit of at least half of the price. I don't deal with what if's and interested buyers.....you got the cash, you can take the stash. And lastly, I always let people know how many people are interested in it and want to see it. The first person to put the money in my hand can take it.

I've had people break appointments, never show up, come and say they want it and never come back...I've seen and heard it all. People who are serious about handling these transactions are usually prepared with at least a deposit and sincerity.

As a buyer, I try to seal the deal and pick up the merchandise as soon as possible. The less time that lapses between our communication and the actual sale of the item the less time the seller has a chance to change their mind or someone else coming to get what I want.

I once had a young lady make an appointment with me to buy her table and she called me as soon as I sat in my car to go to her home as scheduled. She stated that she decided to keep the table, which she was selling at an insanely low price. I kindly said thank you and hung up. A couple days later, she called and said she wanted to sell it again. I'm assuming that the sale of it with someone who was offering her more money went sour and I declined the offer.

Seller

I've bought tons of things on Craigslist.

In general it depends on the seller.

There are bad apples but most people I've dealt with as sellers are basically OK. That is, they prioritize their responses and have the item when I show up. Only once out if who knows how many dozens of times I made an appointment and drove out to see something was it gone when I got there.

When someone says they're taking "bids", I tell them that's against the TOS and flag their ad. The few times it's happened they seemed surprised. One guy went so far as to remove his ad and repost it with better terms.

As a seller, dealing oriental rugs on a thin margin with no budget for marketing, I have at least a dozen ads active at any one time.

I've seen almost everything you can imagine as a seller.

My advice - never use email. 95% of people who email you about your ad will just waste your time. I really hate people who email "do you still have XYZ". I stopped even responding to emails like that because those people *never* follow through no matter what you say in reply to them. They're a complete waste of time and bandwidth.

On the other hand, people that will put forth the effort to call you on the phone are serious prospects - most of the time. Not every time, but by far the odds are in your favor if you can get them to pick up the phone.

You'll also avoid the ubiquitous scam artists if you don't offer email as a method of contact.

Having tried to sell a few pieces of furniture via Craig's List in the past few months, I have my own 2 cents to toss in. I listed an item that was aggressively pursued by many people. One guy even offered to drive down from Milwaukee to pick it up. It felt stalkerish and with the way some of the potential buyers represented themselves, I became very skeptical at even giving out my home address. Then I had less popular items that people haggled on prices with me, we come to an agreement, they say great I'll come pick up (or even, I can't seem to get out to your place to pick up this week but I can drop off money first to hold it), and then I never hear back from them again when I try to firm up the time, or they tell me after I inquire after their interest, that oh, they've changed their mind, sorry.

After all this, my policy became, the first to come with cash and also has the means to haul it off gets it. It just became the simplest way. With the one popular item, I let everyone know that someone was coming at x time to look and may be buy, and I would call them (if they were coming after that time) if it was bought before they came. That's all I could do. I can't "hold" an item because they could just come and look and leave empty handed. Sorry, Heather, but just setting up viewing and arrangement for moving isn't enough because I've had a # of people just flake out on me even after all that. I'm glad the seller at least had the courtesy of notifying you.

Pam - your experience is typical. It's just part of what you have to put up with when you deal with the general public. Every day I deal with buyers I'm grateful I have a day job that's not in retail.

If anyone has sold anything on Craigslist, they should know that 90% of the people who say they want it and will be by in 10 minutes, never show up... these people are smart to take the money when someone is there and offering it, rather than wait for someone else who more times than not will not show up. It sucks if you are serious about purchasing it, but I don't blame the sellers.

Well, quite often, Sellers need to move or make room for newer furniture and they absolutely have to get rid of stuff, so I think the "first one with the cash and the truck" rule makes lots of sense.

mbaker:
i agree with your logic. i too have been on the selling end, but so far have never had anyone stand me up. guess i have been spoiled on both sides until now. thanks everyone for your input...i think this topic is really interesting and important, as i don't plan on backing down from CL any time soon.

I have had very bad experiences as a seller, renter, and free item giver-awayer (?) through Craigslist.

When my husband and I moved out of our studio we didn't want to haul the products that we were selling and giving away to the new apartment. We figured that it would be a good idea to leave them at the studio and set up appointments for people to pick them up at the same time as the studio viewings.

We didn't have a car, so we were biking or bussing from Bucktown to Lakeview. On our worst evening, we had three apartment viewings and five appointments for people to come by and take items we were selling and giving away. NOT ONE person showed up. We called all of them, and the few who did pick up said, "oh yeah, I decided I didn't want it. *click*"

Eventually, we sold some items, passed the studio rental over to The Apartment People, and hauled the free items on the bus.

At that point we decided that we needed a new plan of action. My husband started taking the numbers of everyone who expressed interest, told them what number in line they were, and promised to call them and let them know if they should come by or the item was picked up.

One man didn't leave his phone number, so my husband e-mailed him to let him know as soon as it was taken. He replied with a series of insults and expletives.

While I don't think that bidding or giving promised items away is fair, after our experience I have more of an understanding of why sellers need to have several buyers lined up rather than relying on the first person who expresses an interest.

Last year I puchased a sofa from Craigslist. My roommate went to look at it, paid the guy in full and was to get it that evening with a truck. She showed up later and he had sold it! AGAIN! He did give us the money back but we could have seriously been scammed if he hadn't.

I sold nearly all my furniture on CL before I moved across the country and 90% of people that responded flaked out. I tried to be the most fair and gave the first person who wanted it first dibs but sometimes I'd get 60 emails so I would respond to whoever sounded the least flakey and could come right away. I was just so tired of staying home every night after work waiting for people to show (who rarely did).

The worst was one item that I had several people flake on. This lady came, paid me for it and then tried to load it into her car. It didn't fit. I was so tired of dealing with it that I put it in my own car and drove it to her house. I was a little disappointed that she didn't give me a little more cash but I didn't ask for it. At least I finally sold it.

As a seller, I hate when people act so serious and then flake. Why waste my time?

Question..I sold a few pieces of furniture to a buyer from craigslist. He paid in full and took one piece home and left the other three behind. It;s been two weeks of calls and emails and he still hasnt picked them up. I'm frustated at this point. what you do? Should I just donate them? I want them out of my house. He ignores our last call and email about coming tomorrow morning. I've been very flexible. I feel like he's using me for storage. Not happy. What are your thoughts?

being a criagslist addict myself...i totally understand...i have furnished an entire single bedroom apartment ona budget (strict). I had this experience once and felt terrible..it is sad to see that this seller has reposted the item for a higher price...

L: I am astounded that anyone would pay in full for an item without having it in their possession immediately. This seems incredibly naive. Whenever I make arrangements to pick up an item at a later date, the most that I will do is put down a deposit of $50. I have the seller sign a receipt, and I record the seller's DL number. Do anything less and you are just begging to be ripped off- or worse.

Anyway. I love Craig's List, and I've been incredibly successful as a buyer, seller, apartment seeker, job hunter, and employer. CL has been the source of my favorite furnishings, my cat, my jobs, my apartment... just about everything except my boyfriend :)

I've learned to be patient and not to get too emotionally attached to things that I see posted- there are bound to be disappointments, and there are bound to be dishonest or impolite sellers out there. Even with a zen attitude, I do get frustrated when sellers don't follow their own policies. If they say no holds, I won't get my hopes up. But if they say it's mine and don't communicate otherwise until I'm at their door... I have every right to be irritated. I can sympathize with the need for fast cash, or the desire to unload an item as soon as possible- but I can't sympathize with not being courteous to pick up the phone. Same goes for the lazy people who won't delete their ads after an item is sold. Argh.

Really though- for all of my minor gripes, Craig's List is an incredible service. In fact, I pay homage on my blog!!

http://shockthebourgeois.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-mission-statement.html