Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Be carefull with cregslist

There is really nobody else at fault here but you OP. You are the one that agreed to sell it to him for that ridiculous price.

Consider it a lesson learned though. Don't let folks walk over you. If you agree on a price stick to it all the way through. If a guy tries to switch it up at the last minute then it is up to you to not let yourself get stepped on.
 
Benji222 said:
I just wanted to get rid of it and pay for my new phone but man some people are such pricks. we agree on 375-400 and he comes from an hour away to say he wont pay for it unless i give it to him for 325.
Click to expand...
As others have stated, and not to be harsh, but it was your phone and your right to agree or not agree to the terms. Since he tried to low ball you and succeeded why are you complaining about him. I think you were a bit impatient and wanted a quick sale.

What was the condition of the phone, mint condition, perhaps he, the buyer, though it was only worth that, if there were marks, scratches on the phone, or the the glass.
 
Benji222 said:
Just sold my old phone via cregs list and got lowballed to 325 for a unlocked 32gb 3gs(refurb with 2 cases and a never been put on screen protector...). I just wanted to get rid of it and pay for my new phone but man some people are such pricks. we agree on 375-400 and he comes from an hour away to say he wont pay for it unless i give it to him for 325.
I know you all dont care, just saying. Please be clear and concise if you use cregslist. its kinda a crapshoot.
Click to expand...

Like others have mentioned, you could have just walked away from the deal if you didn't like the price. Craig's List is a crap shoot, one time, this guy gave me an extra $20 bucks over my asking price just because he was 10 minutes late. When I sold my 3G, I had the same issue, we had agreed on a price and then he tries to low ball me after driving an hour.

If whatever you are selling is a fair price, just walk away and wait for the next buyer.
 
8CoreWhore said:
Always list for more than you want. Never ship. Meet in person. Get cash. NEVER drive far to meet, let them drive. Never take a price you're not happy with. If their pricks walk away. Use google voice. Meet in public. Never miss a sale because you are holding for someone, etc. Don't let them know where you live.
Click to expand...

This is the best advice. First person to hand you the money gets the phone.

I had several people want to by my 3G. First guy set up a meet and didn't show up, even though I talked to him 5 minutes before saying he was a block away. Never heard from him again. 3 others got to the point of setting the meeting place and time and then disappeared. By the time someone actually handed me money, it was almost not worth the effort.
 
Surely said:
That guy's not a prick...... sorry, but he's not.

  • Always agree on a price
  • Walk away if they won't pay what you agreed on
  • ALWAYS meet in public
  • NEVER meet where you live

You just did it wrong.
Click to expand...


EXACTLY!

OP is not that craiglist is not a good way to sell your phone, is just that you did it just wrong. You could have just walked away (or should I said "walk inside your home") if you did not agreed on the price.
 
so you're angry at the guy because you pussied out and let him talk you into paying less than what you wanted? whose fault is that?

he'll probably turn around and sell that phone for a $100 profit now.
 
definitive said:
so you're angry at the guy because you pussied out and let him talk you into paying less than what you wanted? whose fault is that?

he'll probably turn around and sell that phone for a $100 profit now.
Click to expand...

Yep, only person to blame is yourself.

Set price and stick to it. Especially if they came to you. Ball is in your court. Other than a few minutes of your time you didn't lose. Them on the other hand, gas, etc.. I'd bet it was a bluff.
 
Craigslist is great, I just bought a 32GB 3GS unlocked for $325. The guy wanted $400 but I low balled him and he took it!





(With that, $325 is a good price for a 3GS with all the 4 hype).
 
I can't believe how many of you guys have done well on Craigslist. I've posted my last 2 phones on there and have gotten no bites except for a couple of ******s who tried to scam me. Ebay has always been good to me but their fees have gotten a little ridiculous. Still though, at least I've managed to sell the stuff I've listed ebay. I'd rather sell my stuff and pay a fee than have it sitting on craigslists with no takers.
 
psywzrd said:
I can't believe how many of you guys have done well on Craigslist. I've posted my last 2 phones on there and have gotten no bites except for a couple of ******s who tried to scam me. Ebay has always been good to me but their fees have gotten a little ridiculous. Still though, at least I've managed to sell the stuff I've listed ebay. I'd rather sell my stuff and pay a fee than have it sitting on craigslists with no takers.
Click to expand...


I've found you can sell stuff on ebay higher and pay the fees or sell stuff on craigslist lower and deal local. I just sold my 32GB 3GS on Craigslist, took me nearly 2 weeks.
 
Jare said:
It's kinda common knowledge that Craigslist isn't a great place to sell anything for much profit unless the item is in high demand.
Click to expand...

Ah, but he used cregslist. Cregslist is a paragon or profit, well known for it's friendly atmosphere and the honesty of buyers.


In all seriousness, the original idea behind craigslist was to bring together buyers and sellers in what can best be described as a public garage sale atmosphere. You're not going to make a huge profit reselling merchandise, it's more of a clearinghouse for the stuff you no longer need to bring in a few bucks, as opposed to something like an eBay storefront.
 
Yeah, when I sold my mini fridge on craigslist the guy negotiated a lower price than I listed. But, what it boiled down to, was I either take his lower offer or end up leaving it behind. So I just took the cash.

I'm trying to buy an iPhone 2g now, but trying to get it shipped to me, but I doubt they're going to ship it, lol.
 
I've always done well with Craigslist. I never met people at my house, though.

Sure, they try to talk you down. That is why I advertise for more than I am willing to take for the item.

The word "FIRM" is seen by some people as a challenge. ;)

Funny story (naught to do with iPhones):

My brother listed a power washer on Craigslist last year. He had restored it, and it was in great shape. A new one like it was around 600 bucks.

Soo... my brother asked 300 for it.

And he meant the word "FIRM."

Guy drives all the way out to my brother's place to see it (bro is a big old redneck, and didn't much care if people came to his house). Guy drove like, an hour to get way out there.

Takes a look, tests it out, offers my brother 150 for it. My brother says "Sorry... I put a lot of work into restoring it. I listed it for 300 firm. That's my final offer."

Man attempt to negotiate further. Offers my brother 200 for it. Brother replies "For that price, I will just keep it and use it myself. I listed for 300, and that's my offer."

Man gets irate, tells brother that it's Craigslist, and he's supposed to get deals there. Brother tells him he's getting a deal, because this thing is in mint condition and a new one costs twice what he's asking. Tells man that he'd rather set it on fire out back and watch it burn than give it away for 200 dollars.

Man gets more irate... leaves.

About 10 minutes later, brother (who was out working in his garage) sees man's station wagon pull back up.

Man gives him 300. Glares at him, takes power washer, and leaves.

Brother thanks man for his business.

Moral of the story:

If you WANT 300 bucks, don't settle for less.

:D

Side note to OP: You did okay. 325 is a good amount to get for the phone you sold, given the fact that they always go down in value after the new gen launches.

The only thing you really messed up? Letting this dude meet you at your house. Next time, go to Starbucks or something.

:)
 
If you're selling on Craigslist, it's a no-brainer to meet in a public place, like Starbucks. Anyway I would have said $375 FINAL OFFER and wished him good gas mileage on his hour drive home with no iPhone.
 
You come here you bitch that someone low balled you? YOU ACCEPTED HIS OFFER OF $325 BECAUSE YOU CLEARLY NEED THE $

op = pwned
 
isaac65 said:
"Immaturity"? "Attack"? Sheesh, why so sensitive? Since when is poking a little fun at someone immature and an attack? Gimme break. And a kid? What? We adults are not allowed to have any fun?

Anyway, I better add something relevant. Wouldn't want someone crying about not staying on topic.
Click to expand...

Newbies like you that act childish and dont contribute anything to the thread but come here to make fun of others should be banned.
 
revildab said:
Why didn't you just leave? He came from an hour away to lowball you, the best you can do after that is waste his time and send him packing. There are plenty of other honest people who will give you what you've agreed upon.
Click to expand...

Agreed. If we had agreed online to $375-400, I wouldn't have sold it for less than $375.
 
What if you are the buyer? Wouldn't you want the lowest price possible? I watched my friend low ball a guy on a set or rims even after agreeing on a price. He admitted he was being a dick, but the seller caved in.

I rarely buy anything on Craigslist since I don't trust people, but I've sold a lot of things over the years. You will always get people who will low-ball you.

First, do your research. Look at eBay and see what your item is selling for. Then use an eBay calculator and subtract your eBay and PayPal fees. This will give you a good price point to work from.

Set a price in your mind on what the lowest that you are willing to take. Post your ad with a mark-up. If they counter with a price above your min, then take it. If it's below, negotiate upwards above your min. And always be prepare to walk away unless you desperately need the money.

Meet in a well lit area with cameras and people. Never meet at your home. I usually meet at a gas station or a restaurant. I was selling a Wii once and the guy never showed up so I was glad that I was at a Starbucks instead of sitting in my car.

Craigslist is just like the newspaper classifies. You can't blame them for how people behave.
 
Vudoo said:
What if you are the buyer? Wouldn't you want the lowest price possible? I watched my friend low ball a guy on a set or rims even after agreeing on a price. He admitted he was being a dick, but the seller caved in.

I rarely buy anything on Craigslist since I don't trust people, but I've sold a lot of things over the years. You will always get people who will low-ball you.

First, do your research. Look at eBay and see what your item is selling for. Then use an eBay calculator and subtract your eBay and PayPal fees. This will give you a good price point to work from.

Set a price in your mind on what the lowest that you are willing to take. Post your ad with a mark-up. If they counter with a price above your min, then take it. If it's below, negotiate upwards above your min. And always be prepare to walk away unless you desperately need the money.

Meet in a well lit area with cameras and people. Never meet at your home. I usually meet at a gas station or a restaurant. I was selling a Wii once and the guy never showed up so I was glad that I was at a Starbucks instead of sitting in my car.

Craigslist is just like the newspaper classifies. You can't blame them for how people behave.
Click to expand...

Agreed. People go there looking for deals.

Doesn't mean that the seller has to give them the price they want. It's a negotiation, after all.
 
Benji222 said:
Just sold my old phone via cregs list and got lowballed to 325 for a unlocked 32gb 3gs(refurb with 2 cases and a never been put on screen protector...). I just wanted to get rid of it and pay for my new phone but man some people are such pricks. we agree on 375-400 and he comes from an hour away to say he wont pay for it unless i give it to him for 325.
I know you all dont care, just saying. Please be clear and concise if you use cregslist. its kinda a crapshoot.
Click to expand...

so you say too ***** bad and you walk away. Then he says omg no wait i have 375...

assuming you have never sold a car or something like that before?
 
Another thing... you may not always walk out of every negotiation with exactly what you wanted. If you got 50 bucks or so less than you wanted to get, ask yourself... was it worth the hassle of dealing with more potential buyers to get 50 more bucks?

It's a benefit/return kinda thing to me.

I will drop a price, but only if I know I am cool with making less.
 
bunnicula said:
Another thing... you may not always walk out of every negotiation with exactly what you wanted.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Especially if you have an overinflated idea of the item's value.

Anyone who doesn't expect to get lowballers on craigslist is either new to the concept of selling stuff through the classifieds or is is naive. I think it's unethical to agree to a price on email/phone and then lowball in person if the item matches the pics/description. But people will do it. They've been doing it for as long as there have been classified ads.

When I buy stuff on craigslist some would say I am a lowballer. *shrug* so what? If they don't want my price they're welcome to wait for someone happy with theirs. I also stick to the price agreed upon via email and don't try to renegotiate once we met in person unless the item isn't in the condition it was claimed to be in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back