When we first moved here, we had great luck with things we listed on Craigslist. No morons asking for 50-80% discounts, no one asking for us to ship items (when it clearly says PICKUP ONLY), no one haggling at all. It was heaven. Sigh.
But now, the idiots are out.
- One person offered less than half of what we were asking for a set of DVDs. Now, I do leave room to haggle, but starting out offering a pittance will get you nowhere.
- One person told me he could buy an older version of a remote control for much less. Well, yes, an older version doesn’t have the features MY newer version has…which is why mine costs MORE. Duh. :crazy:
- One person told me the shower curtain I was selling should cost less because the item is used AND discontinued—and I wrote back and said it should actually cost MORE because it’s an in-demand item and I’ve seen them go for twice as much as I was asking.
But this is the current email conversation I’m having in trying to sell an old stereo receiver (the listing is VERY detailed):
Craigslist Idiot: do you still have this?
Me: Yes we do.
Craigslist Idiot: These are 10 year old models. Does all of its features work and can it be demoed?
Me: As I stated in the listing, we can show you that it can power on, but it cannot be demoed since we already have a new receiver hooked up. Please check my ebay feedback (as also stated in the listing) if you are concerned about our honesty regarding the status and quality of the product. Thanks!
Craigslist Idiot: I am just asking if the unit is 100% operable?
Me: Yes, it is. [By the way, this is clearly stated in the listing.]
Craigslist Idiot: Since it can’t be demod, can I pay with Paypal?
At this point I am so irritated with him, but I really want to get rid of this thing. I figure it would just be like an ebay transaction except with local pickup.
Me: Yes, that would be fine. My paypal email is the same as this.
Craigslist Idiot: [Two days later] Could I paypal you $100
ARGH!!!!!!!!!
I really want to tell this guy to take a flying leap. But I really want the money—and this thing—out of my house. But it just irritates the >:XX out of me that NOW he asks for a discount. I am tempted to email him back and say there has been other interest in the item, I can maybe go down $25 if he wants to come get it ASAP…and see what happens.
— time lapse —
Me: $100 cash or $125 via Paypal.
Craigslist Idiot: Why so much more for paypal? do you come out closer to Novi at all?
Me: It’s not so much that it’s more for paypal, but moreso that it’s a discount for handing over hard cash. I’m already discounting it by $25 for Paypal or $50 for cash. That said, Paypal is more of a hassle for me to get the cash in my hand.
[You notice I didn’t even address him wanting me to deliver it now?]
This guy is SOOOO irritating me, yet I can’t wait to see what he says next. I just can’t believe he’s bitching when I am offering him either a 20% or 33% discount!!! I really want to tell him to shit or get off the pot because this back and forth is ridiculous—you either want it or you don’t—but I want the money.
— time lapse —
Oh. My. Gawd.
Craigslist Idiot: I get paid today and will have $73-76 free after my insurance payment. Will that work.
Me: I’d like this deal to get worked out, but I cannot discount it that much. My last offer would be for you to pay half now (either $50 cash or about $63 Paypal) and I will hold the receiver (take it off Craigslist) until you have the rest of the money. If you then decide not to purchase it, you would lose your payment.
As an additional note, I do have someone else possibly interested in the unit, although no deals have been made.
Please let me know what you’d like to do.
Craigslist Idiot: What if I paid you the $70 I’ll have cash and $30 on paypal?
Me: I guess that would work. When can you pay me and pick up the item?
Craigslist Idiot: I am at work in Brighton. Can we meet in Novi or such?
Me: No. My ad clearly stated pickup only and I’m firm on that. Sorry.
At this point, I’m expecting him to come back and change his offer to $74.50 + package of licorice + Boyz II Men CD + some pocket lint.
— time lapse —
Well, I just decided I had had enough, and I wrote him back and told him the unit was taken (we will probably donate it and then write it off our taxes). I swear, I have never experienced so much run around on a stupid Craigslist item…EVER.
And I certainly don’t plan to do it again.