How should I deal with Craigslist

GEOFF · Apr 27, 2012

Lets say I'd want to sell some clad Ikes and junk 40%ers.

I posted on CL with description and pricing.

Someone writes to me asking to buy with amounts of coins

I reply OK and set up a day to meet inside the ATM area of a bank.

NOW:

when we meet, should I give him/her all of the coins first or should I just couple and let the person check. If him/her says OK, do I then ask for cash or just give the rest to the person first?

or

when we meet, should I ask for cash first and then give him/her the coins?

I have never done CL and frankly am scared of crazy/gangster people that'd rob me of my coins and not pay.

UPDATE #1:

OKAY, buyer and I exchanged emails but he wants me to call him(I told him i'd call him later in the week to meet in Saturday), buyer says he will meet at my street location but didnt write would meet inside the bank . He wants 200 IKEs and my CL posts $1.25 a piece. So $250. Any redflags so far?

BillyOceansEleven · Apr 27, 2012

I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as you are meeting in a public place with other people around, you should be fine. I've never sold coins on CL, but on other things you generally show the buyer the goods (either in your hand or on some flat surface) and once the buyer is satisfied this is what they want they hand you the cash and pick up the goods.

Every time I've sold on CL the meetup was surprisingly natural. If at any point you are uncomfortable just say something.

Gilmore Happy · Apr 27, 2012

Doesnt matter how, just where. I suggest a bank. Criminals will typically shy awaw from places like this. Maintain control of the deal. You say when/where. Criminals will try to manipulate the situation...if you feel as though you are losing control, ie where, when, payment terms...red flags have got to go off. Maintain control, meet in bank...odds are you are dealing with honest collector.

CASH ONLY

sack0silver · Apr 27, 2012

Bring three friends, ski masks, firearms, extra ammunition, attack dogs, and a fanny pack to protect your goodies. But ye just meet in a bank, get there first, leave last, that should take care of any paranoia you may have.

natepen · Apr 27, 2012

Yes Cash only! and you are the seller so you are in charge and it's your way or no way! Don't be scared by what the media has made Craigslist look, they're only going to tell you the bad things that happen and not the thousands of good ones. No criminal is going to risk it all by stealing some pennies from you. If you're selling some gold bars then I would take some major precautions. Bring someone with if it makes you feel better.

Sleazyj · Apr 27, 2012

Just have a gun close by and don't do business with them while they are still in there car. I would meet people inside McDonald's. I met the same guy twice over a 2 year period and we both found it funny

Beans · Apr 27, 2012

I have sold on cragslist. Sold some big woodworking equiptment and of course this ment meeting at my house, some where hesitant but I told them all the stuff is in the garage and the garage door stays open. All went well. I also have met in the parking lot of a fast food resturant at the request of the buyer which I did. So in the open where people are is the safest for any transaction with a stranger. Dealing with money I would try to meet at a bank where there are cameras. Good luck on your CL selling.

GEOFF · Apr 27, 2012

thank you all for the suggestions. I will try to sell it now.

Immy · Apr 29, 2012

How do you go about using a bank for private non-bank-related business? Wouldn't a security guard wonder what's going on? The only way I could see that working is if you had your silver in a safety deposit box.

sack0silver · Apr 29, 2012

You can deposit the cash into the bank afterwards...Ive done several of these random transactions at a bank and never had any issues.

baddbluff · Apr 29, 2012

Some good advice here - Cash only, public place (like SackOsiver said - at your bank, you can deposit the $ right there after the deal and you no longer have anything of value on you to pose any kind of threat - also if they only want part of it, or change their mind, you put it in your safe deposit box and again have nothing of value on you). My one experience w/Craig's List was great - I sold my car in literally 10 minutes after it went up. Just play it safe and you will be fine.

BCD11 · Apr 30, 2012

GREAT thread and info!

suwanneesuperchick · Apr 30, 2012

why are all of you telling the guy to bring a gun to a meeting ...AT A BANK.thats not a good idea

MrSchulz · Apr 30, 2012

I probably do Craigslist deals weekly since I am a reseller. It's always different. Never encountered an issue. Alot of times I just roll up to the persons house and knock on the door and come in. I'm never usually worried, except I went to this one house that had probably 15-20 people that were all staring at me. I was glad to get out of there, otherwise never had an issue

Eldar11 · Apr 30, 2012

suwanneesuperchick said:
why are all of you telling the guy to bring a gun to a meeting ...AT A BANK.thats not a good idea

Having a gun at a bank in and of itself is not an issue. I guess it depends on the state and the laws, if you (legally) carry concealed and its not posted NO FIREARMS then there's no problem.

sack0silver · Apr 30, 2012

But really I think it would be a good idea to arrive early, complete transaction and make sure the other party is gone before you even walk up to your car. Watch them drive away, make sure they are gone, deposit your money and get outta there.

GEOFF · Apr 30, 2012

posted an update in OP

SilverForBrains · Apr 30, 2012

I've only had good experiences with craigslist, but then again I mostly buy things. I usually sell on Ebay.

sagittarius98 · Apr 30, 2012

SilverForBrains said:
I've only had good experiences with craigslist, but then again I mostly buy things. I usually sell on Ebay.

Rather do the opposite, ebay fees are high.

drbecker · May 2, 2012

I sell junk on CL all the time. Have people come over and make the deal. Never had a problem but sometimes I am packing when they are there most times the items are not much money and a I see no threat. I once had a 20 something really cute girl come by my place after 10Pm to pick up some free furniture. She was alone and wondered why she would trust an old guy like me. Of course there was no problem but most of the deals are done during daylight hours. We did have a CL murder locally. Poster offered an expensive ring, perps came to buy it pulled a gun and ended up killing the father in the family. They were caught when they tried to sell the ring and are now rotting away in jail. If I was selling something somthing pricey I would meet at a neutral place be packing but I say I have had no real problems.