Buying off Craigslist - caveats?

[Jabb]

Hey guys,

I'm buying something off craigslist for the first time today - do you have any caveats? Its a sealed video game.

Let me know!

[Ottomaddox]

Hey guys,

I'm buying something off craigslist for the first time today - do you have any caveats? Its a sealed video game.

Let me know!

Meet in person; in a public location if you're ultra paranoid.
Check the item before you pay, and pay cash.

Not sure about CL, but on Kijiji you can see the other ads someone has posted.
I usually check out what else they are selling.. maybe pick up a few things, make a better deal, or just to see what kinda weird stuff they are into. ;-)

Just remember, sales are always as is, and the seller has no obligation to make you happy, so don't make a deal if you're not happy with the item or the price.

[_Allan_]

1 - make sure you meet in a well populated area - like a mall.
2 - do NOT buy computer software, even sealed stuff, as he could have a vacuum sealing machine at his house - then again, he could be 100% perfectly legit.
3 - take a friend or two just to be safe.
4 - go in, thinking something *could* go wrong, that way if it does, you're prepared, and if it doesn't you've covered your behind.

[LordofthePing]

Common sense stuff:
Ask them how they got it, why they're selling it, is there a receipt, try to meet in a public place, don't let them jack the price at the last second, check the sealing on the game to see if it was resealed, maybe bluff about bringing your system to test it.

[drowsy]

Bring a baseball bat with you. Just in case.

[originalnutta]

Tell him that you're part of the RFD community, and that if he tries anything funny, we will all flame him.

[nuberific]

You could get murdered.

[originalnutta]

You could get murdered.

with high prices?

[Stunt_101]

2 words: common sense

[myversa]

ask a friend to go with you with video camera

[originalnutta]

ask a friend to go with you with video camera

Why just one friend?

I'd show up with an entire film crew.
Record that shiznit in HD, so no details are left out.

Get some guys shooting from the rafters and get all angles. Also a boom operator making sure the slightest sound is captured, ensuring to maintain terrific tonality with clear emotional expressions within the dialogue.

[MaximDude]

I just bought some blu rays off a guy yesterday and it was completely fine. I met him outside his house and we sat down on his porch and made the exchange. I've met people at their houses a few times now and never had any problems.

I guess it depends on whether or not you feel you can trust the person, but so far all the times I've bought or sold stuff off craigslist or kijiji the exchange has always been with nice people and it was no hassle.

For a sealed video game, maybe you should open the package in front of him and check things out before you pay.

[RestIsHistory]

Common sense stuff:
Ask them how they got it, why they're selling it, is there a receipt, try to meet in a public place, don't let them jack the price at the last second, check the sealing on the game to see if it was resealed, maybe bluff about bringing your system to test it.

I hate getting buyers that doesn't have the amount agreed upon, always less $10-20

[LordofthePing]

I hate getting buyers that doesn't have the amount agreed upon, always less $10-20

Yeah, I was selling a couch for $300 and the guy shows up and says "Here's the $200." We settled in between, closer to $300, but I was like gimme a break.

[madman604]

in god we trust, all others beware.

always open sealed packages with the seller present. always examine $ for counterfeit. count your $.

NEVER LET THEM RUSH YOU. thats a good sign of a scam.