A Craigslist Observation....

[getbent]

I'm an inveterate Craigslist shopper. I love it. I check it everday, I have scripts that run looking for specific things... I'd say I've bought and sold at least 100 things on CL over the years.

One thing I've noticed (and I'm kicking myself for not keeping better data) is that specific neighborhoods and types of neighborhoods have patterns.

The richest of neighborhoods have held the biggest swings in prices. They either have really super high prices for things (to the point of silly) and they continuously run the same ad at that same price for months (and are smug when you email them a reasonable price) or their price is ridiculously low and I (almost) feel guilty for getting such a great price. The low price purchases, the people are always nervous and rushing and 'just want it gone'...

My purchases in very poor neighborhoods (while scary to a degree.. a couple of places I've been in oakland, I very nearly bagged because of where it was) have turned out just fine...

I've also noticed that younger people are way more nervous and freaked out about meeting place etc than middle aged people... guitar people have seemed to have more of a need to 'sell' why they are selling...

The coolest thing I bought was a classic sting ray bicycle (my son is hooked on the 60's) the guy was so awesome, we've become friendly.... he is from brooklyn originally and, like me, grew up broke and has done okay... so, he has bought all the things he didn't get to have as a kid! his house is full of all kinds of great stuff!

My son and I had a blast over there when we bought the bike (a great price) a cool baseball pinball machine, original johnny express truck, great tonka trucks too.... he was so excited that my son loved the stuff... alas, his two boys and their friends (about the same age as my son) sniffed at us and thought we were dumb and HATED the bike!

I joke with my son sometimes that I "may need to rethink the whole corporal punishment thing" (he knows I'd never hit him, so he knows it is a joke) anyway, when we drove home from this guy's house, my son said, "Dad, if those boys were your sons... you'd have already rethought the whole corporal punishment thing."

Anyway, at least anecdotally, values seem steadier in the less upper class neighborhoods and swing wildly among the rich kids...

Your experiences?

[Notalent]

For the most part, CL is bad here in the Boston area. High prices, scam artists, and lots of junk. For example, " a rare made in Idonesia Squier Affinity" for $375.00! I tried selling 4 guitars, one sold because is was a vintage piece (and cheap), the others attacted scammers and insulting offers.

[woodman]

CL in the Charlotte area is more like a flea market — loads of cheap crap. once in a while, i spot something worth buying but the price is generally twice what you'd pay in a pawn shop. buyers low-ball you to the max — aggravating! my only resounding success has been selling ALL my old analog recording gear (Tascam 8-tk cassette unit, Tascam CD burner and Tascam head demag) to one guy for a righteous price, no quibbling.

[castpolymer]

I am with getbent. I love CL. In the last couple months I have acquired, traded or sold the following:
1) '66 BF Champ ( near perfect with original tubes, speaker and chord ) - I traded a '72 RI Custom for it.
2) SF Fender Bronco -I paid $ 250.00
3) MIM 60's RI Strat ( great condition ) - I traded one of my home brew mahogany Teles
4) Two Advent speakers ( big muthas )( new drivers ) - I paid $ 50.00
5) Fischer record player -I paid $ 15.00
6) Korean Squire Strat - I traded a homebrew tele that I had about $100.00 in.
7) Fender Fat 50's pickups and MXR Flanger - traded the Korean Squire Strat
8) Sold off about $ 1,500 worth of my comic book collection.
9) Sold my Blackheart Handsome Devil Amp and Cabinet - $ 350.00

I have yet to run into a psycho ( knocking on wood right now ). Everyone has been completely normal, punctual and all products I traded for or bought were as described. My wife has taken to calling me Fred Sanford because I like to trade so much " junk."

[Fogboundturtle]

One man junk is another man treasure. I love CL. Only met nice people so far.

[emarsupial]

Hi folks,

I've have about 50/50 luck with CL in Montreal Canada. I bought some nice gear at reasonable prices and dealt with some really cool people in the process.

I've also had some bad experiences - mostly with the guys who want to you to "suggest trades". I've given up on those since every time the guy on the other end didn't really want what I had, but kept me hanging in case other offers fell through. If the answer is "no thanks" that's fine!

I'm usually straight forward with my approach when I want to buy gear - if I know the value of the item and am willing to pay - I'll email the seller and flat out say as long as the gear is in the shape they claim it's in, I'll pay up on the spot without any onsite haggling. This has worked fine for the sellers who know what they want for their item and want a quick and painless transaction.

The annoying side of our local CL behavior is this:
1 - People over-posting the same over-priced gear for weeks on end
2 - Numerous posts by smart-a**es flaming that guy from point #1

Although, I'll admit I find the CL flame posts to be pretty hilarious most of the time.

cheers,
ew

[chet]

On another guitar forum a guy said he knew somebody who got shot and killed when meeting someone to sell a watch through a CL ad.

I don't know if that was true but it sure is scary. I like the Ebay way better. Just get the money and don't take the risk.

[P Thought]

I look at Craigslist all the time, pretty much at "musical instruments" exclusively, but I almost never see anything I want at the same time as I have the money handy to buy it.

There's a section for "Oregon Coast" that covers about a 300 mile stretch of coastline, so it's not really local shopping always, though sometimes there are ads from my town. Best bets are the much-larger Eugene and Portland sections, which calls for some driving.

I did buy my 12-string through a Craigslist ad. It was priced very reasonably, and it was a nice summer day, so my wife and I went for a nice 8-hour drive. If you factor in the gas and time, I probably paid going price for it, but it's a decent solid-top "lawsuit" Takamine, and it fit very well in my modest collection. I play it at least once a week.

I plan to look for an Acoustasonic 30 used in good condition, one of these days, and will probably use Craigslist for that.

[TJNY]

I've been trying to sell a couple of guitars but no real bites. People want you to give it away! Glad I don't need the money so if things swing in the other direction, I may get a decent price for them!!

[Groovey Records]

To many risks involved in NYC

I did rent an apartment out through CL in 24 hours of placing the ad

[getbent]

I buy on CL and sell on eBay.

Why would NYC be more dangerous than the Bay area?

I've met so many cool people in doing transactions... I'm bummed that other communities haven't 'taken hold'....

weird phenomena.

[Frontier9]

Hey GB, could you 'splain that bit about using scripts for searching CL? I'm fairly computer literate, so you don't have to start at square one...

[Tdot]

Originally Posted by getbent

I'm an inveterate Craigslist shopper. I love it. I check it everday, I have scripts that run looking for specific things...

Me too!

Originally Posted by Fogboundturtle

One man junk is another man treasure. I love CL. Only met nice people so far.

Yep

Originally Posted by Frontier9

Hey GB, could you 'splain that bit about using scripts for searching CL? I'm fairly computer literate, so you don't have to start at square one...

Look into the RSS features of your browser, or other RSS readers, that will get you started.

[garymaddox]

The Dallas-Fort Worth area CL seems to be the same people all the time. I usually only look at the musical instrument area. The same over priced stuff gets posted week after week after week... When there is a score, someone usually has already jumped on it. DFW is also a very large area to cover. I see things like cheap pickups but who wants to drive an hour to save a few bucks??? I guess I find enough interest to keep me looking though.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by Frontier9

Hey GB, could you 'splain that bit about using scripts for searching CL? I'm fairly computer literate, so you don't have to start at square one...

Tdot has got it...

I also use applescript (I'm a mac user primarily) and a little app (I use similar for here) that look for key words and phrases... it sends stuff to my phone and my home 'base' computer kinda constantly looks for stuff....

it makes it appear that I'm here more than I am and it cruises the Craigslists in my general area about every 15 minutes... dorky to be sure... but, it is fun when we are looking for something to have the bot turn it up.

[Mik]

Biggest problem with CL is that it's free.

[Jakedog]

I love CL. Use it like crazy. Sell, buy, trade, whatever.

I do not have people to my house. Well, I did once recently. A guy wanted to do a trade for an amp I had listed, and neither of us wanted to just meet in some random parking lot where neither of us could plug in the other guy's amp and make sure everything was kosher. After talking to him through various e-mails, and then on the phone for quite awhile, I decided I'd take the plunge. The guy pulls in my driveway, gets out of the car, and I know him! Hadn't seen him in a couple of years, but I knew him alright. We got a big laugh out of how we'd exchanged numerous e-mails and phone calls, and never got around to exchanging last names, or figuring out that we used to play together semi-regularly.

I agree with Getbent, younger folks seem to be much more nervous about meeting and doing the deal. Folks over 35 don't seem to be nearly as bothered. Kids in their 20's can get really uptight and basket-case-ish about it. I think it's a confidence thing. We live in a society where "stranger danger" is king, and people supposedly wake up in bathtubs with their kidneys missing. Younger folks are terrified of being victimized like the falks they see on dateline, or in their favorite horror flick. That and they are still young enough to have their parents warning them about "internet psychos" and such. Most of the folks I meet in that age group are scared of their own shadows under the best of circumstances, so I never get surprised or put off when they start acting weird over getting a deal done. I just try to be as friendly and easy going as I can.

As far as pricing, I have noticed two trends lately-

With the economy in such tattered wreckage and unemployment so high (especially in my neck of the woods) you have two basic types of sellers surfacing more often than anything esle. The first, is a good guy or gal, who is really in a tight spot, and needs to dump their gear. They usually price things very reasonably, or stupid cheap, in an attempt to grab quick cash to pay the rent before they get evicted, or in the case of the slightly older crowd, feed their families and buy gas for another month.

The second type I detest-

This is the guy with crap gear he prices out of this world. Squiers for more than they sell for new, etc. And everything he owns is extremely rare, collectable, and in mint condition. He needs money now, but decides to be dishonest to get himself extra. He preys on people who don't know any better with hype and clever wording. If you call or e-mail with a reasonable offer for what he's selling, even if the ad states he will negotiate, he blasts you with a "what do you know" attitude, accuses you of trying to rip him off, and usually uses a lot of profanity in the process.

That's about the only two types people I deal with when I am buying stuff, if there are others, I haven't met them.

I have had nothing but great experiences selling stuff and trading stuff. Everybody has been great. But they all seem really surprised that whatever I have to sell or trade is exactly as I've described it, and there are no surprises whatsoever. They all seem like they are ready to be ripped off or scammed, and really loosen up when they see exactly what they were promised.

[emu!]

Reminds me of this:

http://www.noob.us/humor/conan-and-s...on-craigslist/

[chet]

Originally Posted by getbent

I buy on CL and sell on eBay.

Why would NYC be more dangerous than the Bay area?

I've met so many cool people in doing transactions... I'm bummed that other communities haven't 'taken hold'....

weird phenomena.

You've never lived around the NYC area have you?

Way too many nutcases around here. I read about guys getting beat up and mugged when they go to Yankee Stadium early in the morning when they're trying to buy Yankee tickets for the playoffs.

We fish at night out here a lot too. Guy get mugged at beaches on Long Island.

[Dave Hopping]

I've only done 2 CL purchases.One was for a Squier Strat neck and the other was for a loaded Bullet Strat body.Both excellent,but the seller of the body turned out to be the TDPRI's own Fenderfan.I get out once in awhile to see his surf band,the Royal Aces.

Haen't had as much success with CL's musicians' want ads.Around here that's pretty much the pay-to-playpen.

[Frontier9]

Originally Posted by getbent

Tdot has got it...

I also use applescript (I'm a mac user primarily) and a little app (I use similar for here) that look for key words and phrases... it sends stuff to my phone and my home 'base' computer kinda constantly looks for stuff....

it makes it appear that I'm here more than I am and it cruises the Craigslists in my general area about every 15 minutes... dorky to be sure... but, it is fun when we are looking for something to have the bot turn it up.

thanks, GB & TDot. I set up a little RSS feed for something I'm kinda sorta looking for. I'll have to look into scripting a search when the next bout of GAS hits...

[Teleblooz]

Originally Posted by P Thought

There's a section for "Oregon Coast" that covers about a 300 mile stretch of coastline, so it's not really local shopping always, though sometimes there are ads from my town. Best bets are the much-larger Eugene and Portland sections, which calls for some driving.

I did buy my 12-string through a Craigslist ad. It was priced very reasonably, and it was a nice summer day, so my wife and I went for a nice 8-hour drive. If you factor in the gas and time, I probably paid going price for it, but it's a decent solid-top "lawsuit" Takamine, and it fit very well in my modest collection. I play it at least once a week.

On a nice Summer day that drive down 101 is worth it.

I've noticed the same phenomenon in the richer neighborhoods as what getbent described. Either way cheap or way overpriced. I don't bother with the latter, but Mrs. TB and I have found some ridiculous bargains that have gone a long way towards furnishing our house and fleshing our my gear collection.

[SackvilleDan]

Craigslist hasn't really taken off where I'm from, so I use Kijiji, but it's the same idea.

I browse every day, and e-mail anybody I think has something reasonable (I buy WAAAAY more stuff than I need).

Some people are ridiculous, and some people's prices are too good to be true.

Good deals of late:

Diamond Compressor for $100
MIJ Boss SD-1 for $20
Mint '93 MIM Strat for $200


And unless someone explicitly says NO TRADES, I e-mail them my list of potential trade items. Haggling and swapping are half the fun of buying and selling all this gear

[castpolymer]

I conduct all my CL business at my office/ warehouse or at the seller's home. My wife doesn't like people in general and certainly not strangers in our home.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by chet

You've never lived around the NYC area have you?

Yep. I lived in NY for a year... and back when the city was destitute (79-80)

we make a family trip every other year for a week or so...

I love NY. My kids both think they'd like to live there (of course my son wants Mr. Jeter's job, my daughter wants to be the lead in Wicked)

[castpolymer]

For the last couple of weeks I have been a total P.I.T.A. to a seller trying to dump an amp with a bad reputation for reliablity. Everytime he posts the amp ( for $ 20.00 less than retail ) ( he posts twice a day ), I post the same amp ( the only way to avoid flagging ) for sale by me for one penny less. I also tout the virtues of it's 80's S.S. tone, how it sounds as good as my dual recitifier when I was in a hair metal band, how it has the best feedback I have ever heard and how all amps blow the main fuse when turned up past 5. I then point out how you can go to harmonycentral.com and check the reviews ( they are generally terrible on this particular amp, especially on reliability/ warrranty ). The lister sent me a couple of really nasty emails ( that I did not respond to ). So, in my last act as a total ass, I posted a terrible review of the amp on harmonycentral and claimed that my plan was to dump it to some schmuck on OKC CL. My wife thinks I may need therapy and I can't disagree. Not the nicest act of my life, but kinda fun.

[rangercaster]

i needed to raise some cash so i listed a bunch of gear on CL , probably 10-12 guitars, amps, and effects ... i managed to actually finally meet a buyer after getting royally jerked around by most everybody ... my buyer showed up at our neutral spot 5 hours late (at least he called) and the deal was done... my prices were very reasonable ... people are really flaky in Portland ... luckily, i raised enough cash to get out of a tight spot ... next time(and i hope there isn't one) it's TDPRI classifieds for me ...

[brokenjoe]

I've dealt with CL here in Toronto a couple of times, both buying and selling. It's always been real smooth for me -but then again,this is Canada- HEH!

It's a great resource, but one has to remember that it's free; you get what you pay for...

[jguitarman]

According to my wife I am banned from CL and eBay. I sometimes get uncontrollable GAS.
I have found some sweet deals on CL recently including an "05 Les Paul Std. w. case candy for $1200. an '05 SG in naturalburst with case candy for $625. and an old Alamo amp for $20. Also bought an Epiphone acoustic for $25. w OHSC that needs a nut.
I check CL many times throughout the day. I have found people in the sacramento area to be pretty friendly. I just ignore the jerks asking too much.
I haven't sold much, just buy.

[KCLefty]

On the Philly CL today someone posted to keep a lookout because that their band was ripped off of much of their equipment. The stolen items were listed in the post.

Someone then responded that they probably bought stolen gear on CL from the thieves. The poster then wrote: "someone emailed me in response to my other 'RE:' post and told me to call the police and tell them everything there is a real good chance that if I did I would lose all the stuff I bought - I spent over $4000 for a whole bunch of great assorted gear I really don't want to lose this gear.

Looks like... if the story is true. If the buyer turns in the gear he will be out $4000. Off course that's the right thing to do but a lot of cash to loose unless they catch the guy's and they get his money back. It's a bad situation. That's my only problem buying from CL in some cases you never know.

The list of stolen gear listing is on the Philly MI Craigs List. Anyone in the Philly area may want to take a look. Especially if your a CL buyer.

I hate @#$%$% thieves.

[Cunningham26]

Originally Posted by Notalent

For the most part, CL is bad here in the Boston area. High prices, scam artists, and lots of junk. For example, " a rare made in Idonesia Squier Affinity" for $375.00! I tried selling 4 guitars, one sold because is was a vintage piece (and cheap), the others attacted scammers and insulting offers.

I feel like boston CL suffers from aerosmith poisoning. in the early 80s after aerosmith got huge, a TON of people around boston bought some really cheap guitars and tried to start a band. now, almost 30 years later, they're trying to sell their bottom rung jacksons, carvins, and strats as vintage, thinking they're sitting on a treasure. My number one pet peeve with CL sellers are people who don't understand that vintage means there's something unique about the year and the model that makes it great, not just that it is an old product. some old big hair metal guitar that was bottom rung in 82 and since been abused for 30 years isn't now vintage just because it's thirty years old

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by Cunningham26

I feel like boston CL suffers from aerosmith poisoning. in the early 80s after aerosmith got huge, a TON of people around boston bought some really cheap guitars and tried to start a band. now, almost 30 years later, they're trying to sell their bottom rung jacksons, carvins, and strats as vintage, thinking they're sitting on a treasure. My number one pet peeve with CL sellers are people who don't understand that vintage means there's something unique about the year and the model that makes it great, not just that it is an old product. some old big hair metal guitar that was bottom rung in 82 and since been abused for 30 years isn't now vintage just because it's thirty years old

Well while I agree to an almost ridiculous extent on the misuse of the word "vintage" (rubs me the wrong way like you wouldn't believe), it is worthy of note that there were no "bottom rung" Jackson guitars in '82. Everything Jackson and Charvel from that era is top shelf. They aren't worth what vintage Fenders and Gibsons are by a long shot, but they are extremely high quality guitars, that are starting to creep up in value. A new US made Jackson soloist is well upwards of $2K street price, so if you can score an original example (from when Grover actually owned the company and built guitars) for any where near half of that, it's a great deal in my book. I wish I could find a bunch of early 80's US Jacksons and Charvels for anything resembling cheap prices. Maybe I need to look in Boston...

I get riled too when people try to pass of old clunker junk as "vintage" because it's old, but some things are quality, and worth money. There's a difference between junky bottom rung crap, and high quality instruments that are not one's personal taste.

[Jo-Anne]

I've had good luck on CL here. I haven't listed anything for sale myself. I generally search for WTB or Wanted or LF to see what people are after. If it something I have that I was thinking of selling, I message them. It's easy to come to an agreeable price that way and don't have to deal with lo-ballers and no-shows.

I buy lots of things too. Haven't met any shady characters yet. I too met someone I knew. It was the boss at a place I once applied for a job - and turned down 'cos I thought it was no use...errr, that was awkward.

[ne4tt]

Have had good success with CL.

Moved a few vintage bass cabs locally; MusicMan 15RH, West 2x15, and a Fender 1x15.



Sometimes takes awhile to move items. I list on Mondays and pull on Friday PM.

Wait a week, then repeat. Reminds me of fishing.

jamie

[MMJeronimo]

I love craigslist.

It's great for camera stuff. I got a Yashica rangefinder for $30, a Mamiyaflex C2 for $70, and an RB67 kit for $350.

[neocaster]

Originally Posted by emu!

Reminds me of this:

http://www.noob.us/humor/conan-and-s...on-craigslist/

Weird guy: "You wanna buy an old Schwinn stingray?"

I do a little CL shopping in the Philly/main line area. Main line has two kinds of sellers, just like GB said:

1. My stuff is worth at least what I paid for it. High end doesn't depreciate.

2. I don't want the stuff, I just want the space. Bring cash, take it away NOW.

Also find that the high-rent neighborhood sellers have fewer qualms about directing me to their homes.

[zimbo]

Try searching on www.craiglook.com to find your item in every area. However most times they don't want to ship it.

I've had good luck on CL buying and selling. Just hate the scammers and spammers.

[gionnio]

Originally Posted by getbent

My purchases in very poor neighborhoods (while scary to a degree.. a couple of places I've been in oakland, I very nearly bagged because of where it was) have turned out just fine...

I live in Oakland but I'm scared to travel down to Hollister to shop. Too many gun racks in the pickup trucks!

Just kidding...Hollister and it's environs are a great place to visit. Parts of Oakland are too, but certainly not all of them.

I did travel down to a ranch near Las Trampas once to buy a Vic amp, and when I pulled into the driveway the seller was cleaning a shotgun on the front porch. Maybe it was his way of fending off reprobates. Turned out to be a great guy who plays in a band with Richard Chon and Bobby Black...the Saddlecats. Western swing is one of my favorites, and I go to listen to them whenever I get a chance.

I've generally had good luck with CL around here, but I always ask for a phone number so I can screen the buyers and sellers. It's far easier to suss out a BS artist on the phone than via e-mail. Just remember to delete the e-mails from the guy who lives in another state and asks you to take your ad off line because his his secretary will cut you a check as soon as you send him your date of birth and social security number...

[getbent]

Originally Posted by gionnio

I live in Oakland but I'm scared to travel down to Hollister to shop. Too many gun racks in the pickup trucks!

Just kidding...Hollister and it's environs are a great place to visit. Parts of Oakland are too, but certainly not all of them.

I did travel down to a ranch near Las Trampas once to buy a Vic amp, and when I pulled into the driveway the seller was cleaning a shotgun on the front porch. Maybe it was his way of fending off reprobates. Turned out to be a great guy who plays in a band with Richard Chon and Bobby Black...the Saddlecats. Western swing is one of my favorites, and I go to listen to them whenever I get a chance.

I've generally had good luck with CL around here, but I always ask for a phone number so I can screen the buyers and sellers. It's far easier to suss out a BS artist on the phone than via e-mail. Just remember to delete the e-mails from the guy who lives in another state and asks you to take your ad off line because his his secretary will cut you a check as soon as you send him your date of birth and social security number...

Ha ha! you made me laugh out loud!

Here it is the night before thanksgiving and when I just got home from playing (in a barn with a bunch of animals all around) my son was beaming (he's staying up late waiting for the cousins to show up) and why was he beaming? Grampa brought us two new guns! We were just cleaning them when I read this!

I do love Oakland dearly and go to every neighborhood in the city for work... the coolest project I've done in a long time was at Maxwell Park Elementary school... that neighborhood is nice compared to several I have to go to.... I love going to the Everett Jones on fruitvale (near the manzanita school) the pictures inside that place are the most awesome ever....

I'm just starting a restore on an old truck... I"m gonna weld my own gun rack... oh hell yeah... I've actually found that most guys who are cleaning guns on the front porch aren't thinking of how scary it is... they are just cleaning guns... I've been working with some new friends horses and work is just what needs to get done... I'll bet your vic sounds great!

Thanks for your post! You made my day!

[twangmastermike]

i use kijiji and cl daily. bought and sold easily over 100 times.
it seems to be half really cool people, half really uncool people. there is a fair amount of flaming and nonsense but i have done it enough that you can basically tell who to take serious and who not to from their initial email. in my ad i ask that serious inquiries include a phone number, and they get answered first.
i work from home so have a lot of "liberty" time on the net. by keeping a close eye i have recently scored;
an old garnet 5w tube amp - $100 (canadian $, amp is AWESOME)
mexican tele, squier practice amp, ds1 distortion pedal, cords, stand, straplocks, nice leather strap $200
60's sonor drumkit $200
my new telescope, this computer $80, the list goes on and on.
i think it is quite worth it if you have the time.