Craiglist Beware!
 

I know it's an older article, but I didn't see any warning or danger threads/posts on craigslist here

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl....DTL&type=tech

Common sense perhaps, but just trying to warn you guys to becareful when you sell or even buy on craigslist, crimes related to craigslist is on the rise, I see too many reports on the news.

Also from my own experience, I was buying a cellphone off craigslist with plans to meet with the seller in a local supermarket parking lot. I arrive and about 4-5 guys come out of a van and threaten to stab me if I don't dish out some money..FORTUNATELY for my case I had some of my friends with me who are police officers, they tried to flee but were busted and arrested...so I was very lucky. Just be safe!!!!

Man, the cops need to set them up and
bust 'em.

Yep. I heard about this in Norcal as well. Now days you can't live a day with out some idiots coming out of the woodwork looking to play their game. It would be nice to set up a sting.

wow...glad you're safe. if you have to do business over craigslist, meet at a starbucks or something

I think any time you try to sell things from your home you are looking for trouble. I would never hold a garage sale because it gives a lot of people and opportunity to case your home.

All that said we sold an old piano through Crag's list with no problem. We did however use my cell phone number and a special email address.

You are funny my man. :rofl: On the one hand you bash selling things (on Craigs list i presume) but then turn around a say "we sold an old piano through Crag's list with no problem." Never had anyone case my house while i'm trying to sell my junk at a garage sale though. Hmmmmmm ;) I always tought you placed things for a garage sale outside. Is it done differently in New York?

Let me clarify:

1) If you are going to sell something on Crag's list or any other public forum you need to be careful and protect you identify/location. When we sold the piano we had the purchasers home phone number and only one purchaser came to our home. The piano was old and heavy, we got a quote of $150 to have it removed so that selling it for $75 was a much better alternative.

2) I think that donating the "junk" you sell at a garage sale is a better alternative. Yes you normally do it outside but people still get to see your home up close. They may get to see your nice bike or great flat panel TV. A garage sale is a open invitation for anyone to come to your yard/home, therefore you don't know the identity of the people that are now at your home.

I would say that Crag's list is a much better alternative to a open garage sale.

Welll I have always viewed CL JUST like Ebay, buyer beware, I bought a SLVR phone off CL and it was fine, awesome deal! I do see a mass of junk thou on CL but I think the key is to always watch your back and don't be afraid to meet in public, because after all if it is legit, why would anyone have an issue with it?

You are lucky...