Do You Deliver?
* Delivery service not available.
Until recently, I was a Craigslist virgin.
I’ve never seen “The Craigslist Killer” movie, but just knowing that it exists scares me. It doesn’t matter that it was prostitutes who were killed. And the other attack was on a pregnant woman.
I am not pregnant or a hooker. But the thought of going into a stranger’s house is scary enough. Inviting a stranger into mine?
Maybe I’ve also seen too many vampire shows because I had to stop and think, is it ok to invite someone in?
But I’m moving and I need to get rid of my stuff. So, I broke down and posted ads on Craigslist. And what I found was shocking.
People are cheap.
Not just cheap like using a coupon at the movies. Yes, that is something I do. I’m talking cheap like I have never seen. Bartering over a 10 dollar item. And this is furniture, not books or knick-knacks.
I had a ton of people respond to the posting about the cheaper items I had for sale. And most people asked for at least 5 dollars off.
And then I got the questions I never thought I’d see. It was something along the lines of: I’m interested in that 10 dollar TV stand you have, can you deliver it today?
My initial reaction was: Are you F*#%$ing crazy??
But that didn’t seem appropriate for an email. So I took a deep breath and found a polite way to say no. Something like, “Delivery is not available.” Nice and passive.
But then the requests kept coming.
Would I deliver a dresser, a book shelf, my dining room table and chairs. And, oh would I take $50 dollars off of the price?
I guess what I’ve learned from this is that people have balls. Serious huevos. And sometimes is you ask, you’ll get what you want. Like the guy who got my black bookshelf for a $5 discount.
I also learned that sometimes those balls can push people too far. After the last email about the dining table and chairs, I sold it for less to a friend who told me what he could afford. I did it to reward decency and send the table to a worthy home. And, yes, so I could email back and say “No, the table is gone.”
I understand that everyone is looking for a deal. But delivery? This isn’t Dominoes, People.
Have you ever used Craigslist? What was your experience? How do you sell your stuff?
Craigslist DEFINITELY brings some…interesting…folks out of the woodwork, both selling and buying. Glad you survived the experience!
Thanks! Interesting is a good way to put it. I also learned that next time I buy furniture I’m going to go for the cheaper Ikea stuff so I won’t have to worry about losing so much money.
I am a Craigslist virgin. I have, however, heard some horror stories from people who were giving stuff away for FREE on Craigslist. The gist of the stories was that people warted the person who was giving stuff away to death by asking her inane questions and asking for favors (like delivery).
I sort of liken Craigslist to garage/yard sales. I am not a garage sale virgin. My experience was this: the time and effort I spent divided by the hassle and the small amount of money I earned equals that I should have just let Goodwill pick it up.
Glad you are finished with this part of the moving process. I have this to go through next year. Am *so* not looking forward to it.
You are right about the garage sale comparison. I had thought Craigslist would be different. I always heard stories of people selling things quickly and easily, unlike the work of garage sales. Now I know that donating is the way to go, at least for me. Lesson learned.
I have used Craigslist and you are right, the people are scary and pushy. I have even posted stuff in the free section and people still want you to deliver. I don’t understand people. I hate tossing things in the trash so I try hard to relocate things, but at the end of the day I really hate working with the people that troll those types of sites. I’m glad you survived it. I hope you are safe and sound and almost in your new place if you aren’t there already.
Thanks for the good thoughts! I’m still in transition, but hopefully getting closer to my final destination. I have now decided that give-aways to friends and Goodwill. I bet there are even charities that will come and pick stuff up. I’d much rather do that than deal with Craigslist folks again.