Heads up if you're shopping craigslist

[srf2112]

for detectors in the San Francisco bay area. Thought I had a really good deal on a used XLT but after driving 2 hours the deal had changed. Came home to find it re-listed for more. So if you see a used XLT Spectrum for sale with a dent on the right side of the screen, no pads in the elbow cup, a loose coil wire connection at the box and a screen that's turned to the right, just a little warning on who you're dealing with. On second thought, maybe they did me a favor.
HH
Scott

 

[Ohio Coinhunter]

I won't deal with anyone on that site. Too risky as the buyer and or seller. You may get robbed of your item or your cash when you go to meet them. I certainly would never have anyone come to my house to buy something I'd listed.

We have a local weekly or biweekly paper for $1 called the Trade N Times. Been around for years. Cars, Boats, and everything from A-Z. More honest and reliable folks. Great deals on detectors too. Been awhile since I checked one out.

Jim

 

[srf2112]

I hear you Jim. I guess I was thinking everyone has the same integrity as you. Wishful thinking. Hope that DFX is working out for you. I'm waiting to see your finds. Good luck.
HH
Scott

 

[nw1886]

I've purchased on CL a lot and have had only good experiences. Make sure you use good common sense before the meet up.

Talk to the people in detail on the phone
Don't do purchases/sales in a private environment.
Take someone along with you. (If possible.)
Keep your purchase cash separate from your wallet and leave your wallet in a secure spot.
Walk away from a deal that is even a little flaky sounding.
No private info exchange that is "meaningful".
No deals that imply collectible value, implied wealth or high dollar/small package.
Show up a couple minutes early to check out your meeting place.
Adjust to a change of circumstance with caution.

I'm not a paranoid person at all and have met many good people through a CL listing.
Most people are decent but it's those few individuals/areas of town that you need to weed out.
Using CL isn't any different than anything else and is just a new way of doing things.

 

[Curt_in_W.Mass]

Just my 2 cents worth..but ive sold, given away and bought numerous items from craigslist...ill do deals fairly close to my home town..less chance of screwballs...but must say with all my dealings nothing but great people..I gave up on ebay with thier cohorts paypal..just suck money out of ya....cant buy nothing or sell unless you got paypal..and who owns paypal?...ebay.

 

[Old Katz]

You think Ebay is any better? I heard they had more than their share of problems.
Opinions please.
Katz

 

[ridgerunner]

We sell on EBAY every day and very rarely have a problem. You are right about it getting to expensive, EBAY takes their cut and the only way you can be paid is thru paypal. between the two of them it totals about 10% of every sale. MY son lives in Florida and uses Craigslist Quite often and has never had a problem, just be careful who you are dealing with. there is some good advise in the other posts. DEAL LOCALLY.

 

[Davy Jones Locker]

i've used feebay with good results I look at peoples feed back and communicate with the buyer or seller what ever.If they don't have a 100% feedback or have a negative review I don't touch em..And yeah feebay has gotten real greedy.I have had only one bad experience,where item was misrepresented.But luckily item was not alot of money.I've gotten to great real nice detectors off of feebay but really had to search and wait for em.Like anything you have to use caution.Its the sign of the times unfortunately.

 

[nw1886]

It's the whole lock down of how you can pay (that's way past "protecting themselves") that is so fundamentally wrong. Not going to play.

 

[srf2112]

I wasn't condemning craigslist out of hand. I was just warning any of our good honest forum members, who may live in my area, about this particular detector. I have found that CL IS fraught with scams so you have to be cautious and use common sense ( great advice nw1886 ). I only risked some driving time and gas $ and ended up losing that bet. A bummer but nothing major. I'm just hoping to save the next person that hassle or even worse. I haven't ever sold on e-bay, and may never. When I am ready to sell a detector I will be putting it in the classified forum here to hopefully pass along a good machine at a good deal to a forum member who will use and appreciate it. I've found that real detectorists are good people by nature so those are the people I will try to do business with in the future exclusively.
HH
Scott

 

[Curt_in_W.Mass]

Hey srf2112..totally realized where you were coming from and you are 100% right that craigslist is fraught with scam and scammers..and using common sense is most important.And I wasnt knocking Ebay either...just with fees and shipping costs crazy...nice to have cheaper way with CL...keep that fee in my pocket

 

[Old Katz]

From what you all say It sounds like Ebay is watching out for it customers.
I have never used Craigs list but it sounds like they need to be a little more
customer conscious.
Katz

 

[Curt_in_W.Mass]

Old Katz...the difference is Ebay is paid by its customers to watch out for them{in terms that fees they pay buy protection..not old style though}..and Craigslist is a free posting site..so sorta like buyer beware..get what you pay for...Curt