Craig's List! Why did I think I could use it?

[twentynine]

Here's the story:

I am looking for a larger utilty trailer then the one I had. I had a 5X10 and as long as I was only hauling my small Yanmar tractor it worked great.

But as some of you may recall I recently purchased a much larger tractor. So my needs in the trailer size have changed. I am currently in the market for an 18' to 20' pipe top utility trailer, 3500# axles would be okay, electric brakes on one axle, plus ramps or ramp gate. It could need a little work, I am capable.

Well I found an 18' heavy duty utility trailer with all the stuff I wanted on Craig's list for a price of $1600-- not cheap-- not a steal, but if it was as advertised it was worth it. I responded to the ad, asking specific questions, related to tires and width of the floor.

The response I recieved floored me.

First thing first he says the price was an error not $1600 but $2300. How is that how do you accidently turn a 23 into 16. Then he tells me the price is really 22. As some of you know I ain't a game player, I am straight, simple and to the point, if, when I looked at the trailer I thought it was worth 1600, I would have bought it for 16, cash green back dollars no argument no hassle on price, no weddling, no himhawing, whiz bang, wham bam.

For what it's worth I told the guy where he could put his trailer at any price, stating that I don't play games and I don't appreciate my time being wasted. Now truthfully I am not out one single red cent. But when you put an ad on Craig's List don't ya'll check it for accuracy, I know I would, (never sold anything on CL, only bought a few items on ebay, total extent of my experience). And if you made and error on a $1600 price wouldn't one digit be in error, like the 1 or the 6 or a 0 omitted?

I don't want to worry about leaving bad juju, or whatever it's called, I am simply walking away.

 

[key west chick]

I've only posted things a few times but I always go back to see how it looks. 9 times out of 10, I re-do something in it anyway.

 

[Woods_Woman]

Me too, If I'm placing an ad I read and reread to make sure no errors are there. Sounds like the ole bait and switch deal, not to mention he should go back and edit his ad.

 

[ranchhand]

Sounds like a great deal - to walk away from. CL is really getting full up on scammers lately.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Thank you!

Everytime I begin to waver and think that I should really check out this CL thing...someone posts a story like this and reminds me 'DONT DO IT'

You have just saved me from a probable mis-adventure.

 

[MetalSmitten]

craigslist is like every other free public access advertising space... you gotta wade through a lot of crap but sometimes you can definitely get great deals on there. a craigslist ad is how i picked up the majority of my silversmithing equipment a few years back, $300 for over $1500 worth of perfectly usable tools. i wouldn't have been able to start my little business if i hadn't found that ad. i've also used it to sell things (like dead cars) quickly.

just take everything with a grain of salt

 

[bkreugar]

Well I guess I am the lone dissenter.I have bought cattle gates cheap on craigs list and sold frizzle and leghorn roos.Also sold a bumper pull trailer and various stuff. I like Craigslist and have helped many people find something they were looking for.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Craigslist used to be nice. I've traded a small tractor for a 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup, bought a storage bldg., bought all of the new material for my 16'x32' deck, and numerous other items. Lately though it's become a joke. Some folks seem to think their used stuff is worth more than new. If I want to pay new prices, I'll go to the store.

There was a 10'x20' lite duty dog kennel on there last week. The guy wanted $400.00 for it. I made him an offer for $175.00. He wrote me back and said no way. The next day I found the same size kennel except this one was heavy duty. The guy wanted $125.00 for it. I wrote and told him I would take it. I went the next day with a friend of mine who has a rollback wrecker to pick it up(20' panels don't fit on a pickup). As soon as I got it home and unloaded the first guy calls me back and told me that he would take my offer. I told him I don't deal with greedy folks...goodbye.

 

[twentynine]

Let me explain--- The man wanted $1600 for his trailer, as stated maybe not a great deal, but pretty good, a reasonable price as equipped.

I asked a few questions his reply was the price was wrong it is $2200, but the ad now stated $2300. In short I told him I was walking away.

He has since replied again and stated the "bidding" is now at $2300 cash. But if the guy doesn't buy it he would leave the ad up.

My reply was to state that my one and only offer would have been his FULL LISTED PRICE of $1600. And my understanding of how it was to work was-- he wanted $1600 for his trailer-- first man woman or child their with $1600 gets the trailer. That I would under no circumstances enter a bidding war, with anyone. My one and only offer would have been $1600. And -That if he wanted an auction why not state in the ad that the sale was infact an auction with a reserve or starting price of $1600. If infact it would have been classified as an auction I would not have wasted every one's time. I don't play in bidding wars, auctions or wag the dog games. Wished him good luck in the sale of his trailer and that I was walking out.

Now he is replying with foul language that he sold the "blankety-blank" thing for $2300.

And if some one is stupid enough to pay him more than he ask-- ugh let's see how I can say this--- well how about -- nah- let's just say -- censore 'em.

Holy Molely what in the world.

Mr Chook-A-Holic

Maybe the seller of the original dog kennel would call you a cheap skate. You think him to be greedy-why? He stated his price-- he can live or die with it. You made your offer-- you live or die with it. I can attempt to sell a pile of pooh-pooh for $1,000,000 the fact that it ain't worth a $1,000,000 doesn't change my price. I probably won't sell my pooh-pooh for a cool million, but in my mind my pooh-pooh might be worth a cool million. I have run into many people who think their pooh-pooh don't stink, so it ain't to big a jump to say some one will want to sell their pooh-pooh for $1,000,000. Doesn't make'em greedy, it just proves they don't know $%!^.

 

[Jess N Jeff]

I've bought and sold on Craigslist. There are good people and bad people that go on there, just like everywhere else. Like all things in life, if it looks too good to be true...it probably is.