Selling on Craigslist: how best to go about it?

TF · 12-19-2019, 12:36 PM

I have a few low-to-mid-priced guitars and amps to sell. I've bought a few items on my local Craigslist, never sold anything.

How do you go about insuring that your potential Craigslist buyers aren't criminals, or people with bad intent? When I bought instruments, I went to their owners' houses, and they seemed not to have a problem with it. Obviously it is not feasible to let somebody try out my JC77 amp at a coffee house or other semi-public location.

Maybe it is best to pre-qualify buyers by a brief phone talk or email exchange before giving out my address. Anyway, thanks in advance for advice from any folks with experience in this matter.

**archtopeddy** · 12-19-2019, 12:45 PM

I too would be interested hearing what other people have to say about this. While I didn't sell them on Craigslist, I had a couple of guitars to move last year and a buddy who owns a music store let me meet the buyers at his store. Worked out well, and I slipped him a few bucks for his assistance.

**Stringswinger** · 12-19-2019, 01:07 PM

I have had many buyers come to my home in response to Craigslist ad with the only problem being that a few flaked out and never showed up.

I always require a telephone conversation to qualify that I am dealing with someone who sounds legit.

If you are that worried about safety, meet in a public place.

**Woody Sound** · 12-19-2019, 02:05 PM

I've had a few strange oddballs come over, but never anything offensive or criminal. In fact in one case, we hit it off and chatted and jammed, and still stay in touch. But I agree that if you have any trepidation at all, meet in public. Or where you work with others, if that's possible.

**deacon Mark** · 12-19-2019, 02:18 PM

I have to find out if the person is a flake and that means a phone conversation. I have met someone in the Church parking lot that works as a general safe place. Craigslist has the benefits of free listing but you have to put up with a lot of interference.

**Dennis D** · 12-19-2019, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

I have to find out if the person is a flake and that means a phone conversation. I have met someone in the Church parking lot that works as a general safe place. Craigslist has the benefits of free listing but you have to put up with a lot of interference.

I agree that a phone call is good advice for qualifying a CL 'prospect', but now with cell phones, even a telephone conversation is becoming a joke. Now that land lines are either becoming or have already become a thing of the past, so has hearing a complete sentence from someone, without that fading in and out
There used to be a car salesman joke ' we seem to have a bad connection ' every time the customer would make a lowball offer over the phone.
But of course, if a guy's a flake he's a flake and a landline won't help much, but yes any call is better that none at all.

Just MHO.

**Longways to Go** · 12-19-2019, 03:50 PM

StringSwinger sets if forth pretty clearly.

If they won't move from texting to a phone call or an e-mail conversation, they won't get invited to my house that's for sure! I know some guys do a meet up at Guitar Center parking lot, but I've had really good luck with in home sales (both buying & selling). If you get it sorted out that the other guy is some old fart into guitars, you're probably safe.

One other note, you might give Facebook Marketplace a try too. I sold a motorcycle a couple of years ago -- it was listed on CL for a month or so with few nibbles. I listed it on Marketplace and it sold in 2 days.

**wintermoon** · 12-19-2019, 04:13 PM

I may be in the minority but the only time I'll have someone over is if the item is too big to get in my car.
I've googled and have come up w/ some shady people.
I was selling a phone last week and the guy turned out to be a convicted felon. Now if he paid his debt, fine, people make mistakes. I'm sure most folks are on the up and up but I'm not taking any chances and I don't 'carry' so it's easier for me to move on to the next buyer. Too many horror stories out there to risk over a phone, etc.
but ymmv and probably does, so....

**50Hz** · 12-19-2019, 04:43 PM

I've never had any problems on it as a buyer or seller, aside from the flakes which just come with the territory.

99% of the time I meet in a public place and it's quick and easy.

Lately, I've sold some guitars and have told folks I can meet them in a public place or they are free to meet me at my office if they want to bring an amp and plug in. I have to say that's been fun because it's very relaxed and everyone I've met has been nice. I think I've just been lucky so far.

One time I went to a guy's house to check out an old '89 Epi LP [which I bought] and we just started geeking out and he showed me a ton of his old MIJ guitars and whatnot. I think I saved him in my phone as 'Crazy Guitar Dan.' It's almost worth the price of admission for all the weird shit I've come across, cause I find it all very amusing.

Again, I think I've just been lucky.

On the practical side of things, you reserve the right to deal with who you want so feel free to be as uptight as you want. If they don't want to meet your terms, they don't need the gear.

**cosmic gumbo** · 12-20-2019, 05:48 AM

I just make sure my 9mm is loaded and in my belt.

**vinlander** · 12-20-2019, 07:18 AM

I bought once a guitar from Craigslist but I mostly use Kijiji when it comes to sell or buy 2nd hand stuff; it was a dad selling his son's Epiphone LesPaul Custom.
I must have sold an hundred items on Kijiji in the last 15 years and mostly at my place without a single incident, except the occasional tire kicker!
I always exchange first a couple emails and text.

**geese_com** · 12-20-2019, 07:49 AM

I have met people at our local Guitar Center to do Craigslist deals before. One time I was selling an amp on Craigslist, we brought it into the store and checked it out inside the store. You would want to make sure that the store is okay with you doing that first.

**marcwhy** · 12-20-2019, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

I just make sure my 9mm is loaded and in my belt.

[Ha! I live in Utah -- even dogs can walk around with guns here!]

Our local police department has a special parking spot -- well-lit, up front -- for such transactions. Pretty safe!

**rpjazzguitar** · 12-20-2019, 04:01 PM

I've sold several things over the years without incident. Cash and carry.

But, I think some concern is warranted.

And, not so easy to deal with. If you give somebody your name, they can probably find out your address.
The buyer has a reasonable interest in knowing who you are to feel confident the item hasn't been stolen.

I don't have a great solution. Some people sell on consignment at a store. Others meet in a public place.
Having an inverter in your car (12 volt to 115v with an ordinary wall-type outlet) can allow electronics to be tested in a parking lot.

**Spook410** · 12-21-2019, 02:52 PM

I'm probably more paranoid than most. I prefer to meet in the parking lot of a retail store or fast food joint on a busy intersection with plenty of traffic in constant view. I don't think the local meth heads have figured out how easy it is to rob someone selling expensive gear on CL yet, but they will get around to it. And to them, $1K of easily pawn-able stuff is a lot. Not to mention what they could get if they are willing to leverage entry into your home. Generally I do think it's OK with some phone vetting, but even a little risk makes it not worth it to me given how property crime has gone up in southern Oregon with the transients and drugs.