Used tools (from Craigslist, EBay, etc.)

Happens all the time…I just say nothing…turn around, and walk away. It’s not up to me to provide them with an education, after all. The crap you leave behind is no loss to you.

-- Einstein: "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." I'm Poopiekat!!

Yep. See that type of thing all the time.There’s an ad in my local CL right now for a 1980’s 6” Craftsman jointer for $400 !! These machines typically sell for $100 or less.
Honestly, I don’t really expect a complete layman to appropriately price a used item (and have benefitted from their ignorance a time or two).
However, I HATE when people continually repost the same item, at a ridiculously high price. Some obscure claw hammer for $40, and they repost it every 2-3 days for months. It shouldn’t take a genious to realize that something is either wrong with your item and/or price.

We’ve had a guy on the local CL trying to sell a “vintage” Crapsman drill press, not a real drill press, one of those ones that made your electric drill into a drill press by clamping it into this wonderful piece of “vintage” junk. The ad has been up for over a year, he started at $125 and is now down to $20. Adding a picture didn’t help. Some people just don’t get it!

-- Every day above ground is a good day!!!

The worst ones on Craig’s List are the folks with something from Harbor Freight and they price it like it was made by Festool. I feel sorry for the unknowing people who get ripped off.

-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com

MY favorite is a guy listing a Jet table top mortiser for $450. I’ll give him credit since it looks like it’s good shape, but they sell for about $350 brand new…WTF.

-- ok, is it cut once measure twice, cut twice measure once???? I know....I'll just keep cutting until it's long enough.

What is amazing to me are the pawn shops who also think they have to charge new prices for tools. My rule of thumb is, USED = 50% OF NEW PRICE AT THE MOST!

-- Brett --- HOLY MOLY!

Good point Willie…...as if the label “vintage” adds another 50% value to it. And when these tools stay on C/L for months on end they become a nuisance. That’s when I usually post an “re: Vintage (fill in blank)” and say, “Really….it’s time for the dumpster.

-- Just a man with his chisel.........

Oh, yes! A No. 4 type just came off eBay that was missing the iron, cap iron and lever cap. The seller described it as having a knob and handle that were in good shape and a little surface rust, but otherwise a good, serviceable plane. After a second look and verifying that the parts were missing I questioned him, asking him how it could be serviceable if it had the main parts missing. He replied back that he didn’t know about these things, but it should be serviceable for somebody!
I had it in my watch list, but didn’t see what ultimately happened to it.
Y’all have a good’un
Joe

-- rejo55, East Texas If there were no trees, there wouldn't be much wood.

Brett…you’re right about the pawn shops. I went to several looking at pistols. For 20 bucks more I could buy brand new.
I see lots of things on C/L that I think the owner is smoking something. Like Poopie,I just move on.

-- Don't rollerskate in a buffalo herd

On the other hand sometimes….just once and awhile… someone does the opposite and lists a newer or good tool at an extremely low price. Makes you wonder if something’s up with it…. happens to me occasionally.

Dewalt scroll saw

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

@ Crafstman OTL….and that’s why about half (or more) of my tool purchases are from C/L.

-- Just a man with his chisel.........

Like Craftsman OTL says…. Got a new in the box Wagner commercial paint sprayer off of CL. My cost, $180. New cost $450 plus. The guy had closed a hardware store and had three new floor display models.

Just got off CL Dallas. Found a guy that is giving away a ShopSmith. Has the jig saw attachment. Looks dusty but in good condition. Tempted to get it and resell it but I will let someone get it that hopefully will use it.

-- Bill - Mesquite, TX --- "Everything with a power cord eventually winds up in the trash.” John Sarge , timber framer and blacksmith instructor at Tillers International school