Tips for Buying Items on Craigslist

Craigslist.org has become a veritable bartering tool wherein the average consumer can buy, sell, or trade anything at all. Unlike Ebay.com, Craigslist offers users a much more informal platform for connecting with other individuals. Accounts are created and monitored by the service. And transactions for the most part are "anonymous"-at least until two or more parties are prepared to reveal their identities for the purpose of a sale or trade. Anything you think you might want, you can probably find on Craigslist.org. But because of the "free" atmosphere, there are a few pitfalls that you might want to avoid. Here are a few tips that will help you maximize the potential of this wonderful site.

"Window Shop"...

Once you have decided upon what you're looking to purchase on Craigslist, try to narrow your search down as much as possible. For example, if you're looking for an acoustic guitar, you might want to enter the brand name or other criteria in the search field. If you know that you're only willing to spend $100 for a Martin electric acoustic guitar (good luck!), use the max field to eliminate all the higher priced instruments. Observe the list dates of the items. Since Craigslist users are able to post multiple ads, they will most often re-list their items if they have not been sold. Those who do so, are the most vigilant about getting their items sold, and might be willing to negotiate on the price. It's also a good practice to purchase items from sellers who are relatively close to you. This way, if additional exchanges or meetings need to be arranged, it won't be a headache for either of you.

Photos Only!

The wonderful thing about this website is that you can find people who are willing to unload some pretty expensive equipment for reasonable prices. From my experience, most people looking to sell their electronic equipment, do so because they have upgraded to something a bit better/faster/sleeker/etc. This means that more than likely, the equipment they are selling is in fair to good condition (if not better). It is a good idea to only look for items that have pictures. Sellers should do their best to make sure that all accompanying parts are photographed. Additionally, it helps if the seller has a vivid description of the item. Look for selling stipulations. And make sure that there are no "hidden" meanings.

Establish a Rapport

Once you have contacted the seller about a particular item, it's best to go ahead and try to establish a rapport with the seller. Trade a few emails and ask some questions to let the seller know that you're truly interested. Remember that if it's a particularly juicy item, then others will be scrambling to purchase it as well. At any rate, make sure that upon inquiring about the sale, that you are explicit in what your needs are. This way, no one's time is wasted.

While you're communicating with the seller, there are some things to watch out for. If he/she is vague about meeting times, sale price, or even the item(s) themselves, there just may be a scam going on. Remember that the seller is also wary of who he/she is selling to. Establishing a rapport helps to ensure that you are also legitimate in your inquiry. Be clear and firm about what you expect. And make sure you settle on a firm time and location for the sale. Last but not least, once you have successfully completed your transaction, it is always a good practice to thank the seller for a smooth transaction. The seller be encouraged to continue using Craigslist; and in the future, you might do additional business.