PET PEEVES when selling something

[Nick]

I saw an ad that went something along these lines:

Trympf convertable '75, runs good looks good, $5000 call me.


I really don't think that's the best way to sell something...

[tonyfromjersey]

I had contacted a craigslist poster on a Spider I was looking at, and was all set to go see it on a particular Saturday. I called him and also emailed him for an address and specific time, to which I got no reply. I later found what is now my Spider, towed it home, went to Germany for 2 weeks on a military trip, came home. got it running, insured, and on the road.

Some time later, probably at least 6-8 weeks after he failed to call or email me, he calls and says: "When do you want to come look at the car?"

I told him I had already bought one since he never called me back, and he sounded mildly annoyed by this.

Craigslist is a big pain in the ass for this reason, but when it works it's great. I've also had people no-show to buy stuff I sold on Craigslist as well. Fun.

[Zippy]

I have sold a lot of stuff using Craigslist, but that doesn't mean it's fun. There is one part of Craigslist that I enjoy reading and that's the Best of Craigslist. Some of those posts just crack me up. You may have to wade through a lot of crap but every now and then you come across a real gem. Just be prepared for the foul, rude language, and sometimes gross and disgusting things people have to say about each other.

[Nick]

Yeah, there are a lot of idiots out there that don't know how to sell something or even just be timely and reasonable about things. But I think it's worth it when you do find something you want. My spider I got off of craigslist and it was the first try, called the guy, instantly got a hold of him, he said we could come look at it the next day, we did, and bought it. Very simple and easy.

When I was buying my 3000GT I went through a ton of crap like that. One guy had pictures of all of his car except one side, it looked great, and he wanted a reasonable price for the car in very good condition. After we got there, we found out that the side he didn't take a picture of was pretty much spray painted black, and in terrible condition. He was missing windshield wipers (the whole assembly not just the blade) and the antenna, and the entire sunroof was gone and replaced with a makeshift lexan one.


But usually I think craigslist is worth it even after weeding out all the wastes of time, there's good stuff to be had still.

[spidernut]

Craigslist can be really quite irritating. There are nearly no classified advertising sections left where people had to pay to sell something. If it is worth selling, it is worth paying to sell it! Though many legitimate sellers exist on Craigslist, there are too many scammers using it because it is free. Also, people don't care to reply quickly since they don't stand to lose anything by not returning calls. When you pay for an advertisement, you'll return the calls - guaranteed!!! Otherwise, you spend money for nothing.

I bought my Spider from an internet newspaper advertisement. I bought my Tracer via Craigslist. I'm in the process of helping my adult children buy two cars. Craigslist is a major irritant in that everything said here is SOOOOOOOO true.

But where else is there to go? Autotrader.com and Cars.com where an abundance of "small" dealers are selling overpriced, high mileage junk? Maybe we can go to CarMax where they charge nearly $1000 over retail blue book value and they won't negotiate. Of course, you can always turn to the local newspaper and find virtually nothing. There's always Ebay...another place that is a source of irritation.

What can you do apart from inventing a new car sales site?

[manoa matt]

40 email exchanges with countless pictures for a $10 part.

John Smith will sell me that part for X dollars, what's your offer?

Does this 30+ year old used brake booster come with a 1 year warranty?

Will it be wrapped in the Maui gazette or have sand spilling out of the box?

[kmead]

40 email exchanges with countless pictures for a $10 part.

John Smith will sell me that part for X dollars, what's your offer?

Does this 30+ year old used brake booster come with a 1 year warranty?

Will it be wrapped in the Maui gazette or have sand spilling out of the box?

I personally prefer the Maui Gazette, the sand, not so much unless it was collected on a sunny day (its generally cloudy in West Michigan)

[travish86]

1985 Buick

Must sell today wife said it has to go, I took apart the heads to do a quick clean up and never got around to finishing it. You cant work on it here must tow away.

No phone number, no listed emial, no pics and no reply for three weeks and counting.

[Gunsmith]

I usually just post this ad for fun,

1975 Harley, mechanics speacial just needs a little paint work and minor repairs. First $500 gets it. Don't call or Email just come by with the money....(Insert Ex-wife's address here)

Ahhh the Internet is so much fun for free......................

[travish86]

I will have to do that one I usually just post a 98 VW rabbit and put my ex-wife's number. So she just gets calls. Never thought to have someone come by. i guess its for the better I wouldn't want someone to show up and get mad with my kids there.

[MJSSpider2K]

Try giving something away for free on craigslist and watch the people crawl out of the woodwork. I posted an old fence, 200’ of falling apart rotten picket fence at 10:30 pm on a Wednesday and within 15 minutes my email was going crazy. I had 60 or so emails from people all giving me their sob story about how they are out of work, have this medical condition and this rotten fence would cure everything!!!

What part of “first person to haul it away gets it” is not clear?

[Exit98]

They don't get much better than this one. And it is FIAT related.

Do I win the prize?

I'll save you the trip to craigslist. Here is the complete ad:

Headline (small caps): "fiat steering wheel 124 spider - $400 (46 40 linden ave dayton oh)"

Complete description of the merchandise: "fiat spider".

Could one of the forum members in Ohio pick this steering wheel up for me? I'll send you the 400 bucks. Hurry, I'm sure potiential buyers are lined up as a result of this compelling ad.


http://dayton.craigslist.org/pts/1889754877.html

[manoa matt]

"Headline (small caps): "fiat steering wheel 124 spider - $400 (46 40 linden ave dayton oh)"


Thats what you get when you have an RV dealership sell your Fiat parts.

http://www.lewis-rv.com/

[Exit98]

Matt,

I didn't even think to check the address. That makes it even funnyer.

I'm still thinking about a $400 Fiat Steering wheel. Maybe it's jewel encrusted.

Or maybe there's a car attached to it.

Some people on Craigslist are a hoot. I think they think that they just have to put it on there and POOF it sells itself.

I guess they weren't paying too much attention during the Marketing class.

[MNspiderman]

I do love the "Ran when Parked" ads
Sometimes I will see an ad that says.. Mechanics Dream... Ya, if were a mechanics dream, it would run perfect. Not all mechanics want to buy busted broken cars.