Before You Buy or Sell on wbww,craigslist.com

Being that I am a fan of the popular web site www.craigslist.com I have seen, and witnessed several unforeseen events. My "craigslist" adventures started a little over a year ago when my cat had kittens, and I needed a way to find them new homes. That's when I stumbled across the craigslist site. After all a free, and popular classified site was sure to produce results. However, my experience turned from easy, and free to a headache. I have tried Craigslist several times both buying and selling. The results was mixed, but it does seem easier selling then buying. Throughout my craigslist journey I also became a "lurker." I've traded stories, and read countless post of others wild "CL" experiences. These 10 tips are designed to prepare you before you buy or sell, and hopefully make your experience a little less stressful.

BUYING:

1) Pets are a very popular subject on craigslist. Any given day you can find countless post within your community. However, pets posted on craigslist are supposed to be for adoption not sell. You will find plenty of breeders bending the rules by posting "small re-homing fee applies." Don't be surprised when you learn what that small fee is. A puppy might just set you back $800.00. A popular scam is having the family meet the animal before setting the fee. After all you might say no up front, but it's a little harder once the kids have feel in love. This doesn't only apply to pets. If the seller will not give you a price up front, then keep looking.

2) To good to be true, is the truth. You can find several items posted for "FREE" however some of these are a little less then. A scam that happened locally started with a free shed. The sad thing was the post was from a person who hated looking out at his neighbors shed. So, he posted it as "free you haul." Needless to say the media, and law had to get involved with that situation. Another popular joke is listing something for free that isn't even there. For some reason kids think its funny to watch people pull up at the neighbors house. If you see an ad that says "Free, no emails, no calls" use caution. If you see an ad that says "Free, please don't knock just take what you want" do not mess with it unless the stuff is by the road, and is obvious that it's going to be trashed.

3) Do not go alone. If your buying something, and you meet them at their home, please take someone with you. I got trapped this way, and thankfully it all worked out. I was picking up something from a single mom. She even joked on the phone about how she likes selling to women as she fears men coming in the house. I called her 10 minutes before I got there to let her know I was on my way, and she was okay about it. Then when I knocked at the door a huge younger male answered. He told me he was her cousin, and she asked him to drop by and meet me because she needed to run to the store. Thankfully he was very nice, but still you never know these days.

4) Make sure you have contact information before you make the drive. If the seller will not give you a phone number, then don't mess with it. A person who wants to sell, and is on the up an up will give you a number.

5) Check before you buy. Anytime you buy something that is used there are several things to consider. First off, is it broken. Take time to check it out, and asked the selling why they are selling. Also, keep in mind it might be stolen. After all, if it's worth $500.00 and looks / works like new, and your only paying $20.00 for it...something is fishy.

SELLING:

1) Meet the buyer in a public place. If your selling something that can be transported easily then meet somewhere public. If it can't then make sure your not at home alone. If your having buyers come to your home, them limit them to a small area. Don't let people walk through your house! There are more then a handful of people who "eyeball" what you have, and will steal from. Put the item for sale near the front door, or if it's in the backyard, make them walk around no through the home. Houses get broken into everyday, don't make it easy by allowing buyers a chance to scout out your home.

2) Do not give you home phone number. It is always a good idea to leave a cell number, but never a home number.

3) Cash only! You would be amazed how many people want to pay by check. The answer is NO! Cash only. If they want a receipt write them out one. There is no reason why a buyer can't pay cash. Also, don't fall for the half now, half tomorrow scam. Do not let go of the merchandise until you are paid in full.

4) Be prepared to lower your price, or fight for a firm price. Several buyers make a living reselling, so no matter what they say when it comes down to passing over the cash they want to negotiate the price. If your selling something for $100.00 you might get offered $50.00. Be ready to say no, the price is firm.

5) No refunds. My cousin got married and decided to sell his computer, and keep hers. The computer was complete and worth way more then he sold it for. He asked $400.00 for the complete set up. He ended up selling it for $300.00 to a family who needed it for a teenage boy. The next day they called and said it didn't work, and explained how heartbroken their son was. My cousin told them to bring it back, and gave them a full refund. Confused as to why it stopped working he took it to a repair shop that same day. As soon as they opened it up, the problem was obvious. Parts was missing, and it would cost $150.00 to repair. My cousin chalked it up to a hard lesson learned. However, scams like this happen all the time.

I'm not saying everyone who buys and sells are involved in a scam. But, one bad apples spoils the rest.