I understand. I sometimes too wonder how many Craigslisters have regular jobs. I listed a motorcycle on Craigslist once... guy called me at 11 pm on a weeknight to ask about it and then wanted to come over right then and there! For a potential $7k sale... I couldn't risk saying "No, Wait til after work tomorrow!" He did come over with his wife and he rode off on the bike with his wife following in the car and I went to bed with $7k in $20s!

_________________
Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs

+1




+1


As a person who has bought and sold many items on Craiglist (not just guitars), I have to tell you that I would honestly do the -exact- same thing. While it's unfortunate, please understand that from a seller's point of view a sad truth about Craigslist is that for every 4 or 5 people who email you...or even call...who say "I want it", you're usually lucky if -1- actually shows up. It's not personal and it's not a matter of a "gentleman's handshake", it's simply matter of who shows up first with cash in hand. For what it's worth, instead of taking it personally think of it this way: You see an ad for Joe's Guitars that says "limited quantities". Unless you put a deposit down to hold that guitar, are you really going to blame Joe if he runs out before you get there? Even if you call and say "hold one for me", unless you put a deposit down, Joe has NO WAY OF KNOWING if you're actually going to show up or not, so yes...he's absolutely going to sell that last guitar to the person standing there with cash in hand...every time. It's just business.


Peace,
Jim

I have to disagree with you Jim. Ive sold and bought many things on CL. In this case the seller had already given me his address and agreed to a meet time. Whats to stop someone from selling an item you intend to purchase while your enroute to meet them. Again, had we not established a time and place, i would say go for it.

And yes, i do appreciate him letting me know, but if he hadnt I would have shown up at his doorstep and not very happy.

I would just ask "did you put a deposit on it"? If not, then sorry...address or not, there's just NO WAY that person is going to know whether you're going to show up or not. Simple fact of Craigslist. Again out of every 4 or 5 people I send my addy to, I'm usually lucky if 1 shows up...and if they have cash in hand, they get the item. Again, it's not personal, it's just business.

It sucks to be sure.

While there is a verbal agreement which is technically legally binding, and you could arguably take it to small claims court, it's not worth the effort.

I've bought and sold on CL and have been fortunate to have things go my way.

But, I agree with others who state (paraphrasing) that the race belongs to the swift.

Chalk it up and next time move faster or risk making a paypal deposit on the item or something.

cheers!

_________________


'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

Out of 5 people only 1 shows up? Thats pretty bad. I have yet to have someone just not show up. But i dont sell out of my home either. I ask buyers to meet me at a public place, where there are several witnesses. That would explain why we have different opinions.

Honestly, I used to meet people just about where ever they want (within reason)...their home, my home or just about anywhere on the West side of Cleveland really. Ended up spending a lot of time (and wasting a lot of gas money) sitting in parking lots or at food courts with no shows. At least 3 times I tried to arrange sales or pickups at the other person's home and when I got there, no answer at the door.

I dunno...maybe it's just Cleveland/North East Ohio (and yea, people out here just -suck-), but yes, now when I sell something, unless I have a payment or down payment via Paypal ahead of time to guarantee the sale, ABSOLUTELY people need to come to me. I have no issues with them bringing a chaperone if they feel the need to (and I certainly have my dogs for my own protection), but I just won't waste my time any more. That said, I personally will NOT pay for something such as a guitar without having seen and played it -first- and I don't really expect others to either. That's risky at best if not down right stupid.

I'm sorry if people feel that's wrong but I've been screwed enough...you get burned enough times, you'll eventually learn too. In this part of the world at least, there just isn't any such thing as a gentleman's handshake...that's just incredibly naive. Money talks, b.s. walks. End of story.

Jim

Lesson Learned-

As a buyer, it's in my best interest to inquire if the item I have made arrangements to buy, is up for grabs until I show up at the sellers doorstep.

FYI...It was a Kramer Pacer Classic Series I saw on Craigslist for $165. Then he listed for $145. My dumb $@! still didn't jump on it. Then he lowered it to $125, which is when I called immediately. That's the real reason, why I'm kicking myself . Even if it was a horrible guitar, I could have Ebayed it and probably made a profit or broke even at worste.