I had that happen once when I was looking for a futon. I drove about 30 minutes to look at what seemed to be a nice futon based on the pictures only to get there and see that it was in really bad condition. It's amazing how just the right lighting and angles can make something look really nice even when it's complete junk!
Be careful and sell the car locally! I remember watching Teen Mom about a year ago and one of the girls got scammed out of $3000 on shipping charges when she tried to sell her car long distance via Craigslist. Yikes!
I cruise almost daily for local things in our neighborhood only. I am middle aged and married, we live in a fairly affluent neighborhood in Seattle and have met some interesting people on CL. Generally there's a fairly high entertainment factor even if we don't buy.
We have, after four years never been burned, and often encourage others to give it a go. A friend in Chicago brought up the fact that we love the chase and that CL takes time and that has to be factored into the price. Indeed. I have been stood up only twice, when I appeared as agreed and the seller wasn't there.
We answer ads early, if we are lukewarm about the price we contact the seller and leave our number to call if they haven't sold it in a week. We always research what the price should be on E-Bay or on line for the price new. Your ability to bargain and willingness to walk away is important too.
I put something on CL yesterday with a price that was double what I wanted to get for it thinking if I priced it too low I might not get calls, I got a call right away and hope to sell it tonight.
I just got done eating on our CL dining room table, slept on our CL bed, sat on our CL couch, drove in our CL car (sold and car and bought a car same day on CL), and walked out on our porch build with CL materials. We have a vacation rental that we book several times a year to people who found us on CL and we have hired many caregivers for my disabled relative that way too. Hired one just last week for another job. CL rocks!
If you are unsure, meet at a neutral place like a bank where there are plenty of cameras, we tested a vacuum cleaner at Staples office supply as the buyer was apprehensive about having us come to his home. Cash only. Don't be afraid to bargain but also be fair. I don't bargain with people who are expecting their first child or young people who obviously need the money more than we do.
Arrive on time, call if you aren't coming, and make it a win-win. I had someone tell me that when someone e-mails instead of calling she takes them less seriously and from that point onward always call. I mention I live in the same neighborhood and ask them to suggest the time we meet. Happy hunting!
I've posted several things for sale and even for free. The only ones that were taken were the freebies. Maybe my metro area is too small but it could be that I'm asking too much. I don't like that my ad gets buried under other ads so quickly and reposting is necessary.
I have searched Craigslist before, but have never purchased anything. There are lots of scams so buyer beware. I was apartment hunting and there were many fake postings. They would respond to inquiries asking for credit score and other information.
I love Craigslist. After two years of being laid off, I found a temp job that I am still working 9 months later. I found a ton of free boxes for an upcoming move. Best of all, I found my best friend in the Platonic section.
Yes, I use craigslist quite a bit, both to buy and sell (personal stuff, not as a business model). It is great how easy it can be to find good deal, or get rid of stuff you don't use. But sometimes it is frustrating when selling because often people no-show and don't tell you. But, it sure beats driving around to tag sales.
I’ve purchased a dog kennel, 12 Guinea Fowl, AKC registered Doberman, apartment sized dishwasher, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, assortments of Partylite Candles (twice) , Jack LaLane juicer, double Patio Doors, banana trees, 1998 Bonneville and a turkey fryer. Those are the items I can recall. I do not like rummaging through piles of junk at yard sales and Craigslist eliminates the need. I type in keywords and look at the item from the privacy of my own home. Like anything, use caution. But when utilized properly the savings and possibilities are endless.
I had a nightmare experience on Craig's list once.
I had an old riding lawn tractor that required too much maintenance to get running. I figured I'd offer it up for free to the first taker who could haul it out of my backyard. I was surprised to see that as soon as I posted it I had about 20 replies in the first hour looking to get it. I never imagined that a non-working, 15-year old tractor would be in such demand.
I began to wonder if I shouldn't have asked for a small amount of cash in return. And then I noticed that the third e-mail response I got said "How about $100?" I figured this was perfect. This was one of the first responders and this person obviously realized it would be in high demand so was offering up a little sweetener to make sure they got the tractor. I replied back that $100 sounded good and after a few e-mails the pickup was set for tomorrow. The last e-mail I got back was "Great, make sure you have the cash ready tomorrow."
Um, what? I replied back that it was I who was getting the cash... at which time the respondent started to become threatening. I got replies back that basically said "No, you are paying me $100. I already got 3 big friends to come help me move it and we'll be there tomorrow morning. You'd better have the cash ready."
I tried to reason with this person... asking obvious questions like "Why would I pay you to take my mower when I have another 50+ looking to haul it out for free?" (and that was true, as I kept getting more and more e-mail responses to my posting).
This logic approach didn't work as the person kept threatening that I'd better have the cash ready. At this point I realized that this person is really just pulling a scam. The "How about $100" offer at the beginning was intentionally vague and was meant to pull me into this argument. Clearly this person is hoping that some bullying would work. It didn't. I returned his threats with some of my own and told him that my friends and myself would be ready for his crew the next day.
The next morning I got an e-mail stating that his friends had a conflict and I was lucky to be off the hook.
I have to believe that I'm not the only one who has gotten that scam along with some bullying. Hopefully nobody ended up offering the cash.
I ended up giving the mower away for free to the first person who had responded. That person was a landscaper who ran his own small business who was very pleasant, easy to work with and who was thrilled to get the mower. So I guess the story had a happy ending.
You're overlooking the point, which is not that they are suddenly making a non-vested amount vested, but that they are paying you a sum that is equal to the unvested portion as part of your severance.
I did this a few years ago - actually I tried it twice. I tried it in 2003 and was turned down. This was a layoff due to a de-acquisition of our department. The next time I tried was in 2005, and was successful. This was following our company's acquisition by a much larger company with a shared services organization. My department was eliminated as a cost savings, and they were open to paying an amount representing the non vested portion of my 401k. However, I had to ask and negotiate nicely in order to get this additional sum.
I usually enjoy craigslist though I've had some interesting experiences. When buying something I always start with an email asking if the item still is for sale. My biggest pet peeve is people not taking advertisements off of craigslist. I always work in cash and inspect the item first. I only bargain on-site if something is defective. Most of my bargaining is over email. I always show up on time to meet people because I really hate when others are late.
The weirdest sale I ever had on craigslist was to a guy who insisted on telling me that he was late because the police raided his house. He then asked if he could pay me $5 less now and send me the rest over mail. I agreed because I just wanted him gone. He ended up sending the money.
I just used Craigslist in KC two weeks ago and was very happy with the experience! I was looking for a certain type of lamp from the 70's and thought "no way am I going to find what I had in mind". Well, it took some patience, but sure enough someone posted EXACTLY what I was looking for.
The next week I thought I'd give it a try and sell something. I had a brand new stair stepper, so posted it for the same amount that I paid for the lamp...figured I'd come out a wash. Sure enough, in a couple of days it was sold!
I LOVE Craigslist. I have used it numerous times for both buying and selling items with no issue. The best thing I sold was the 8 foot Brunswick pool table I had taking up space in our bonus room. I was worried I'd have to help move it but the person who ended up buying it hired professional pool table movers to come and get it. They did all the work.
We have used Craigslist successfully to buy a refrigerator, curtains & rods and 2 mirrors from someone in our neighborhood who was moving.
On the other hand we traveled across town, a 30 minute drive, to look at a beige leather recliner. Photo looked good, seller assured us the chair was perfect - no rips, no stains. Got there and it had numerous cat scratches on the back (but it wouldn't show according to the seller), seams coming apart at the head (it's not ripped said the seller), and imbedded dirt in the creases of the seat and back (it's not stained, like I said). Listing was still up a month later.
I always go to the free section of Craigslist. I'm usually looking for construction & landscape materials. The best deal I've found free is enough concrete blocks to build raised flowerbeds around the two trees in the back yard..It's filled with mostly free plants. If I had enough room in the house I'd take advantage of all the free beautiful furniture people are giving away for various reasons. I love the free section of Craigslist!!!
I've used Craigslist to sell some. We also used it to find a few things when we moved in our apartment. We've been pretty lucky so far and haven't gotten ripped off. =
For the most part, I like Craig's List. I've successfully found an apartment to rent, sold a ton of stuff, bought a ton of stuff, and found and posted a job through Craig's List. It's also great because there's one for most major cities - I recently moved across the country and was able to get myself set-up without too much hassle, predominately because of Craig's List posts.
BUT, I've also run into a lot of scams and can say with confidence that if it sounds too good to be true, it is - which seems like an obvious thing to say, but sometimes those posts seem really normal and unscamlike. If anyone puts any pressure on you to fill out a form, give personal details or send money, you've been had.
Craig's List requires common sense and patience. If at any point you think "hey, wait a minute..." stop what you're doing and re-think.
I used to use Craigslist for everything, like buying things, looking at real estate, posting a missed connection. ;) Now, I use it mainly for work. I posted for writers for a blog that I started, and I just posted for finding actors for a PSA video that I am creating for my non-profit. Craigslist still works for many things.
I had that happen once when I was looking for a futon. I drove about 30 minutes to look at what seemed to be a nice futon based on the pictures only to get there and see that it was in really bad condition. It's amazing how just the right lighting and angles can make something look really nice even when it's complete junk!
Be careful and sell the car locally! I remember watching Teen Mom about a year ago and one of the girls got scammed out of $3000 on shipping charges when she tried to sell her car long distance via Craigslist. Yikes!
I cruise almost daily for local things in our neighborhood only. I am middle aged and married, we live in a fairly affluent neighborhood in Seattle and have met some interesting people on CL. Generally there's a fairly high entertainment factor even if we don't buy.
We have, after four years never been burned, and often encourage others to give it a go. A friend in Chicago brought up the fact that we love the chase and that CL takes time and that has to be factored into the price. Indeed. I have been stood up only twice, when I appeared as agreed and the seller wasn't there.
We answer ads early, if we are lukewarm about the price we contact the seller and leave our number to call if they haven't sold it in a week. We always research what the price should be on E-Bay or on line for the price new. Your ability to bargain and willingness to walk away is important too.
I put something on CL yesterday with a price that was double what I wanted to get for it thinking if I priced it too low I might not get calls, I got a call right away and hope to sell it tonight.
I just got done eating on our CL dining room table, slept on our CL bed, sat on our CL couch, drove in our CL car (sold and car and bought a car same day on CL), and walked out on our porch build with CL materials. We have a vacation rental that we book several times a year to people who found us on CL and we have hired many caregivers for my disabled relative that way too. Hired one just last week for another job. CL rocks!
If you are unsure, meet at a neutral place like a bank where there are plenty of cameras, we tested a vacuum cleaner at Staples office supply as the buyer was apprehensive about having us come to his home. Cash only. Don't be afraid to bargain but also be fair. I don't bargain with people who are expecting their first child or young people who obviously need the money more than we do.
Arrive on time, call if you aren't coming, and make it a win-win. I had someone tell me that when someone e-mails instead of calling she takes them less seriously and from that point onward always call. I mention I live in the same neighborhood and ask them to suggest the time we meet. Happy hunting!
We sold a student desk once, as well as other items we could not sell in a yard sale.
We used Craig's list to get rid of stuff we did not need in our attic and garage.
I've posted several things for sale and even for free. The only ones that were taken were the freebies. Maybe my metro area is too small but it could be that I'm asking too much. I don't like that my ad gets buried under other ads so quickly and reposting is necessary.
I have searched Craigslist before, but have never purchased anything. There are lots of scams so buyer beware. I was apartment hunting and there were many fake postings. They would respond to inquiries asking for credit score and other information.
I love Craigslist. After two years of being laid off, I found a temp job that I am still working 9 months later. I found a ton of free boxes for an upcoming move. Best of all, I found my best friend in the Platonic section.
Yes, I use craigslist quite a bit, both to buy and sell (personal stuff, not as a business model). It is great how easy it can be to find good deal, or get rid of stuff you don't use. But sometimes it is frustrating when selling because often people no-show and don't tell you. But, it sure beats driving around to tag sales.
I’ve purchased a dog kennel, 12 Guinea Fowl, AKC registered Doberman, apartment sized dishwasher, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, assortments of Partylite Candles (twice) , Jack LaLane juicer, double Patio Doors, banana trees, 1998 Bonneville and a turkey fryer. Those are the items I can recall. I do not like rummaging through piles of junk at yard sales and Craigslist eliminates the need. I type in keywords and look at the item from the privacy of my own home. Like anything, use caution. But when utilized properly the savings and possibilities are endless.
I had a nightmare experience on Craig's list once.
I had an old riding lawn tractor that required too much maintenance to get running. I figured I'd offer it up for free to the first taker who could haul it out of my backyard. I was surprised to see that as soon as I posted it I had about 20 replies in the first hour looking to get it. I never imagined that a non-working, 15-year old tractor would be in such demand.
I began to wonder if I shouldn't have asked for a small amount of cash in return. And then I noticed that the third e-mail response I got said "How about $100?" I figured this was perfect. This was one of the first responders and this person obviously realized it would be in high demand so was offering up a little sweetener to make sure they got the tractor. I replied back that $100 sounded good and after a few e-mails the pickup was set for tomorrow. The last e-mail I got back was "Great, make sure you have the cash ready tomorrow."
Um, what? I replied back that it was I who was getting the cash... at which time the respondent started to become threatening. I got replies back that basically said "No, you are paying me $100. I already got 3 big friends to come help me move it and we'll be there tomorrow morning. You'd better have the cash ready."
I tried to reason with this person... asking obvious questions like "Why would I pay you to take my mower when I have another 50+ looking to haul it out for free?" (and that was true, as I kept getting more and more e-mail responses to my posting).
This logic approach didn't work as the person kept threatening that I'd better have the cash ready. At this point I realized that this person is really just pulling a scam. The "How about $100" offer at the beginning was intentionally vague and was meant to pull me into this argument. Clearly this person is hoping that some bullying would work. It didn't. I returned his threats with some of my own and told him that my friends and myself would be ready for his crew the next day.
The next morning I got an e-mail stating that his friends had a conflict and I was lucky to be off the hook.
I have to believe that I'm not the only one who has gotten that scam along with some bullying. Hopefully nobody ended up offering the cash.
I ended up giving the mower away for free to the first person who had responded. That person was a landscaper who ran his own small business who was very pleasant, easy to work with and who was thrilled to get the mower. So I guess the story had a happy ending.
I have used it before to buy & sell. haven't had any issues yet.
You're overlooking the point, which is not that they are suddenly making a non-vested amount vested, but that they are paying you a sum that is equal to the unvested portion as part of your severance.
I did this a few years ago - actually I tried it twice. I tried it in 2003 and was turned down. This was a layoff due to a de-acquisition of our department. The next time I tried was in 2005, and was successful. This was following our company's acquisition by a much larger company with a shared services organization. My department was eliminated as a cost savings, and they were open to paying an amount representing the non vested portion of my 401k. However, I had to ask and negotiate nicely in order to get this additional sum.
I usually enjoy craigslist though I've had some interesting experiences. When buying something I always start with an email asking if the item still is for sale. My biggest pet peeve is people not taking advertisements off of craigslist. I always work in cash and inspect the item first. I only bargain on-site if something is defective. Most of my bargaining is over email. I always show up on time to meet people because I really hate when others are late.
The weirdest sale I ever had on craigslist was to a guy who insisted on telling me that he was late because the police raided his house. He then asked if he could pay me $5 less now and send me the rest over mail. I agreed because I just wanted him gone. He ended up sending the money.
We've used Craigslist to get free stuff and sell larger items. Our experience has been positive on both ends.
I have sold several things on craisglist and all went off without any negative inceident.
I just used Craigslist in KC two weeks ago and was very happy with the experience! I was looking for a certain type of lamp from the 70's and thought "no way am I going to find what I had in mind". Well, it took some patience, but sure enough someone posted EXACTLY what I was looking for.
The next week I thought I'd give it a try and sell something. I had a brand new stair stepper, so posted it for the same amount that I paid for the lamp...figured I'd come out a wash. Sure enough, in a couple of days it was sold!
Patience Willow....and the sale will go down.
I LOVE Craigslist. I have used it numerous times for both buying and selling items with no issue. The best thing I sold was the 8 foot Brunswick pool table I had taking up space in our bonus room. I was worried I'd have to help move it but the person who ended up buying it hired professional pool table movers to come and get it. They did all the work.
We have used Craigslist successfully to buy a refrigerator, curtains & rods and 2 mirrors from someone in our neighborhood who was moving.
On the other hand we traveled across town, a 30 minute drive, to look at a beige leather recliner. Photo looked good, seller assured us the chair was perfect - no rips, no stains. Got there and it had numerous cat scratches on the back (but it wouldn't show according to the seller), seams coming apart at the head (it's not ripped said the seller), and imbedded dirt in the creases of the seat and back (it's not stained, like I said). Listing was still up a month later.
I always go to the free section of Craigslist. I'm usually looking for construction & landscape materials. The best deal I've found free is enough concrete blocks to build raised flowerbeds around the two trees in the back yard..It's filled with mostly free plants. If I had enough room in the house I'd take advantage of all the free beautiful furniture people are giving away for various reasons. I love the free section of Craigslist!!!
I've used Craigslist to sell some. We also used it to find a few things when we moved in our apartment. We've been pretty lucky so far and haven't gotten ripped off. =
I often browse but hardly ever buy or sell on craigslist.
For the most part, I like Craig's List. I've successfully found an apartment to rent, sold a ton of stuff, bought a ton of stuff, and found and posted a job through Craig's List. It's also great because there's one for most major cities - I recently moved across the country and was able to get myself set-up without too much hassle, predominately because of Craig's List posts.
BUT, I've also run into a lot of scams and can say with confidence that if it sounds too good to be true, it is - which seems like an obvious thing to say, but sometimes those posts seem really normal and unscamlike. If anyone puts any pressure on you to fill out a form, give personal details or send money, you've been had.
Craig's List requires common sense and patience. If at any point you think "hey, wait a minute..." stop what you're doing and re-think.
I used to use Craigslist for everything, like buying things, looking at real estate, posting a missed connection. ;) Now, I use it mainly for work. I posted for writers for a blog that I started, and I just posted for finding actors for a PSA video that I am creating for my non-profit. Craigslist still works for many things.