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Anyone use Craigslist?


kb0zke

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Have any of you full-timers used Craigslist to buy or sell an RV? If so, I'd like to hear your experiences. PM me if you don't want to post here.

 

We're wanting to sell our Foretravel and several people have suggested Craigslist as a sales outlet. I've never bought or sold anything there, so don't know how it works. I see that they have various cities listed, which is fine for those who are parked for some period of time, but what about those of us who move around?

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Sure, we bought almost everything we own on Craigslist, from the Motorhome to the camping chairs and outside mats!

Big thing to remember is don't go somehere with wads of cash in your pocket. If the buyer or seller wants to do the deal. meet at your bank and get them to wire transfer the funds direct from their account to yours and get the bank to double check it has been transferred before handing over the title.

If it's a small item like chairs cash is fine but do the deal in the daylight and in a public place like a McDonalds parking lot,

We've saved a fortune buying thru Craigslist an never had a worrying moment.

Just think before you make a deal and if it doesn't feel right walk awat.

BnB

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If you have never sold on CL before, just be aware of the scammer e-mails you are certain to get on anything you sell. They'll offer more money than what you are asking on fake cashiers check asking you to refund the difference, or they'll try to tell you to do the trasaction through PayPal/Ebay, etc. There are so many schemes out there, so just keep your guard up. Usually a legitimate person will be happy to talk on the phone to you and discuss the sale and terms and agreements.

 

Depending on what you are selling and how desirable it is, you certainly may get an out of state buyer, but the transaction should definitely be done in person and as the previous poster mentioned at a bank is even better.

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We have bought and sold items on Craigslist. Bought a RZR, chairs tools and more. Sold a 5er and a welder for example. Use caution as with any type of ads. If I am going to look at something I prefer to have another along. If I am selling I also like another along. If it looks iffy move on but usually it is just another wanting to buy or sell something. I prefer craigslist ads with pictures for buying and selling. When selling it is not uncommon to get some off the wall responses. I just ignore these as these are usually scams and be careful accepting any type of check. I dont accept checks.

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I have bought and sold several times using CL. As previously stated above, there will be some scammers. I always arranged to meet in a public place to conduct the business and of course I will take nothing but CASH.

Dealing with nothing but cash, how do you work it out the the buy to meet at where(?) with a $100,000 in cash. A brief case of one thousand, 100 dollar bills is something I would sure be reluctant to carry around.

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Dealing with nothing but cash, how do you work it out the the buy to meet at where(?) with a $100,000 in cash. A brief case of one thousand, 100 dollar bills is something I would sure be reluctant to carry around.

 

That's where using your head comes into play . A cash deal of that size should take place at a bank or someplace of that nature . Witnesses ....

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Dealing with nothing but cash, how do you work it out the the buy to meet at where(?) with a $100,000 in cash. A brief case of one thousand, 100 dollar bills is something I would sure be reluctant to carry around.

With a large purchase you will need to be creative. I once bought a $18k Goldwing from CL which involved a 300 mile trip to inspect the bike. Everything checked out and I felt comfortable with the situation, so I gave the guy a personal check and he gave me the unsigned title and a receipt. A week later I returned to get the bike and he signed off the title. Yes, there was risk involved and if there were any red flags, then just walk away.

Greg

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I see that they have various cities listed, which is fine for those who are parked for some period of time, but what about those of us who move around?

 

For selling a RV you would almost have to do it, as traveling full-timers, while you would stay for a month or so in one place and preferably in a place where RVers go as a destination or near a big city. Also, ads get buried fast and most people don't go back to look at those older ads so you have to keep moving your ad to the top. Show good pictures of your RV inside and out. Give it a try.... it doesn't cost anything and it may be your lucky day!

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Dealing with nothing but cash, how do you work it out the the buy to meet at where(?) with a $100,000 in cash. A brief case of one thousand, 100 dollar bills is something I would sure be reluctant to carry around.

 

I have never sold/bought anything using CL for a value that large, but yes I do know how to handle that much cash for a short time.

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Sold both our motorcycles and our truck on Craigslist. Have our trailer for sale on it. Just have to be careful like others say, lots of scammers. Be ready for people who say they will show up and don't. But it's free and it worked on selling everything so far.

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I have been buying and selling on Craigslist (CL) for years, all with a happy ending. You just need to use common sense. Lately, the scammers have hit the 'list. Say you're selling an item for $1000. They will send you an email saying that they really want your item, but they are out of town. They offer to send you a certified check in the amount of $2000, telling you to take an additional $100 for your time and effort and to send them the difference so they can pay the shipping company. If you agree, they will send you a certified check. Take it to your bank, and it WILL CLEAR. The problem is, when it gets to the supposed issuing bank, it's fraudulent and bounces. By then, you have assumed the check is good since it cleared your bank, and have sent them the extra money. Guess what? Your bank now wants their money back from YOU.

The sad part is, I usually have them send me the check overnight (making them at least put out for the mail cost) and when I get the check, I take it to the bank and report it. The bank thanks me, and I can only assume they throw it in the trash since I never hear from them again. They don't care as they always get their money. My thought is to take it to the Post Office as it is theft through the mail and let them handle it. Then it's federal. But, I really don't expect much.

By the way, when I tell the alleged buyer that I will just hand the difference to the shipper when they get there, I get all kind of excuses as to why that won't work, including they want their money before they will come pick it up, and so on....

 

Just use common sense... If it sounds too good to be true, IT'S A LIE

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We did use Craig's List to sell our 14 year old motorhome when we came back to part-time. It worked eventually, but we did get a few nuance calls and at least one scam attempt. You need to be careful with the responses, but that is also true of any means of advertising. I didn't see any major difference in it and any of the other means of advertising and it didn't cost us anything.

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Bought and sold the last two MH , fifth wheel and FL toter. It works. Remember the goal is to get a good deal when buying so when selling if you want high book it probably won't work real well. Isn't much different than buying from a dealership as most aren't known for get honesty.

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