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Craigslist posters have gone nuts.....

304K views 7K replies 687 participants last post by  RonPaul 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I frequent several lists near to me. OK! I'm just a tool junky.
I see stuff that looks as if it had been on the Titanic. Dirty, dusty, rusty, and just unkempt. Seems to me that, if I were to list an item, I'd at least blow the crap off of it. And pricing….....? Can't be that everyone is on drugs.
Am I being too critical?
'Course if it HAD been on the Titanic…..............Well, ya know what I mean.
Bill
 
#2 ·
That's what I see, too. I have no idea what's going on, but I haven't seen a real bargain in a year. Seems like everyone wants current retail price for their 40 year old "used to work real good" whatever.

I'm thinkin' I'll have to look for bargains elsewhere.
 
#4 ·
I've observed the same thing. Prices approaching and in some cases exceeding retail prices of new for used gear.

I think shows like Hardcore Pawn, Pawn Stars and Storage Wars are to blame. Money and numbers get tossed around like it's Monopoly money. I've seen valuations given on some of these shows that I know for a fact are complete horse-********************.

When I make an offer for something from a CL seller, I try to be fair and usually have to explain to them why their "gold plated" vintage widget is fairly common, what's wrong with it, what I will need to do to make it usable and frankly it's barely worth a third of what they want for it.
 
#6 ·
Sometimes I laugh at the photos. Somebody is selling a woodworking machine, and you can barely see any of it under and behind piles of other junk. There's no need for professional photography, but all least move some stuff, unless it is there to hide something.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
I hear ya! Dunno if people are stupid, lazy, ignorant, greedy, clueless, or some combination of those, but I absolutely agree with you. Things present so much better when they're at least cleaned off.

I love the listings that read something like: 10" table saw - $250, no pic, no brand, no model, no description…..holy cow! I'd expect more from an average 10 year old….seriously!

It amazes me how many poorly listed items I see. Bad spelling is one thing, but I've gotten so I send corrections if they've grossly overstated the retail price or features on something…just in case they're really didn't know. Some thank me, some ignore me, some tell me off.
 
#8 ·
There are a lot of people online these days…most are sane and rational, but as in all groups of people, a small percentage will always be crazy. Unfortunately, the Web makes it easy for sellers to reach that tiny niche who don't know any better. In fact, in some industries it's a targeted market. Kind of sad.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Sometimes I laugh at the photos. Somebody is selling a woodworking machine, and you can barely see any of it under and behind piles of other junk.

Yep. Nothing I see on CL baffles me more. Some jackass selling a TS and includes a pic of the machine with two full trash bags on top of it and a cardboard box in front of it. I mean really, it'd take 30 seconds to move the junk and make the saw presentable.
Then they have the balls to include "no lowball offers will be considered". Well of course I always send them a ridculous offer- just to be a jerk. Something like "I know you're asking $450 for the 113 saw, but I'll be glad to give you $75…..but only if you include the trash bags and the box".
 
#10 ·
Some people do not even know what they are selling. I saw a listing for a radial arm saw a while back and the photo was one of a miter saw. Severely worn out looking and obviously junk…yet they were asking $300. I emailed them and asked if they would take $350.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
When I see these kinds of ads.
I have offered what I have instead.
Say the asking price for the tool for some ridiculas price for $200. I would offer to sell mine to them for $100. Of couse the actual item is probable ony with 1/5 to 1/4 of the orignal asking price. That way could turn around and double their money.

I don't ever seem to get any taker.
 
#12 ·
The cell phone age has created the biggest bunch of krummy photographers that I have ever seen! If I have something to sell, I am going to take the best pictures that I can so potential buyers can get a good idea of what I am selling and make their decision wisely. And then they send a low ball offer! :-(
 
#15 ·
It seems to me that the people selling this stuff don't use it anymore, but want almost what they paid for it. Also, it seems EVERYTHING is barely, lightly, or seldom used, and in near new condition. I've replied to some of these posters that I could get the same tool "new" for just a bit more money and it would be under warranty. They usually reply with, "This is a new tool". I just can't believe it. The toughest thing to deal with is when they tell you the tools price new is 3 times what you know the true retail price is.

Saw a listing tonight for "two sawing machines" with a picture of one old and beat up circular saw. Now there's a guy I want to buy a tool from.
 
#17 ·
Since a bunch of Harbor Freights opened up near me, I see more and more people putting up pictures of harbor freight tools, not saying they are harbor freight and asking for more than what harbor freight sells them for. Not cool or right. Of course if you know harbor freight than you can tell but these people must think everyone else is an idiot.
 
#20 ·
Anyone with half a friggin' brain can post something that is a bad deal on craigslist and obviousy those who have the other half brain will buy it. Gives new meaning to PT Barnum's comment that "There is a sucker born every day".

This makes it more of a pain the the ass for serious buyers and sellers.
That is what Craigslist has evolved into since it is a FREE posting site. Maybe they should charge a few dollars to post ads and it would clear out a bunch of the garbage.
 
#21 ·
One of the things that bothers me with CL more than lousy listings, is lack follow through from both buyers and sellers. It's fairly common around here for people to post something for sale, then never reply back…I assume the item must be already sold, but it only takes a few seconds to reply with a "sold" note, or to delete the post. On the flip side, it's also fairly common for buyers to not show when they say they're going to. Overall though, I've met some pretty nice people through Craigslist and have gotten some nice deals….hopefully it's a minority that are inconsiderate of others on the other end of the transaction.
 
#23 ·
Despite all the wacky listings that I just enjoy as entertainment, my CL experiences have been nothing but positive.

I've made at least 12 CL purchases and one sale. Everyone that I met was a fine and honest-dealing person. Through CL I met the gentleman who mills most of the native lumber that I buy.
 
#24 ·
Sure you see the wacky ads. that part of the fun of CL, but I'm one who always on the look out and my shop speaks volumes such as drill press, grizzly g0555 b.s. festool vac, router, sander , hand planes galore etc. etc. Be sharp know your retail prices and jump when CL says jump and take the little lady out with the savings, I sure do…lol Blkcherry
 
#25 ·
I've discovered some amazing finds through CL (including a $600 Near new Ulmia Bench, a very nice well kept tool collection @ half of 80's pricing, and most recently a 24 inch SIMONDS saw vise) , so I have no complaints.

The wackier the ad, the more I know to stay far far away…so in a sense - these sellers have done me a favor. It does take a lot of sifting to find gold..
 
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