Experience selling on Craigslist?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Dec 2015 9:55 am

Thanks, Pete. I actually do have a Fender Amp-Can (battery operated amp). If I can find the adapter to charge it, that might do the trick. Then meet at the Police parking lot, or some other public place.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 2 Dec 2015 10:41 am

WOW...Jim!
Thanks for the tip...a police parking lot or police substation lot; doesn't get better than that!
I'm going to check to see if the closest one to me has an electrical outlet available. A bass rig will need more power.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Dec 2015 10:49 am

Glad you like the idea; I think I found it earlier in this thread. But I'm not totally sold on it myself, since it sends a signal that I don't trust the buyer, whereas probably 99.9% of the people I'll ever show an instrument to will be trustworthy (having been pre-screened by phone in advance anyway).

It's possible to meet in another public place that's not a police station (in front of a grocery store, for example), still feel protected by having others around, but without sending such a harsh signal to the buyer that you don't trust him/her.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 2 Dec 2015 11:52 am

Meeting them at the PD may make them feel more comfortable about the deal. After all, they are also meeting someone they don't know who knows they have at least a certain amount of money on them.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Dec 2015 11:57 am

Hmmm... now that is a good point, James. I'll just tell them I'll meet them at the PD "for their protection". That should make them feel comfortable, right?

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 2 Dec 2015 12:01 pm

Why would you say that ?? The meeting place should be for all parties involved protection. It was just a suggestion because its worked fine for me in the past.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Dec 2015 12:23 pm

I'm just teasing, James. I think it's a fine idea and probably would make both sides more comfortable.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 2 Dec 2015 12:27 pm

Lee Dassow · Post by **Lee Dassow** » 2 Dec 2015 3:41 pm

Jim, I have never had a problem selling stuff on Craigs List. You can usually get a feel for a person over the phone. If their traveling a little to buy your item 9 times out of ten they'll buy it and you don't have to worry about shipping musical equipment.
Tell them, cash only in your add. Good luck and good health. Tenn.Lee

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 3 Dec 2015 10:06 am

Never allow them to your home. "Getting a feel" for someone is ridiculous. I was giving away an old piano for free and an old grandpa his son and little 2-3 year old came to look. They seemed like the nicest people you would ever meet. Well the guy came back in the middle of the night and robbed me of 2 ceramic elephants from my font porch. They werent all that valuable, maybe $50 each but they had great sentimental value. I know for a fact that it was him.

I will never again use craigslist if they have to come to my home.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 3 Dec 2015 11:19 am

With all the stuff going on these days, some police departments may be less than thrilled about the use of their lot for a sales office. It probably varies from one place to another.

Dustin Rhodes · Post by **Dustin Rhodes** » 3 Dec 2015 12:08 pm

Don R Brown wrote:With all the stuff going on these days, some police departments may be less than thrilled about the use of their lot for a sales office. It probably varies from one place to another.

The Tulsa police actually directs people to use their lot.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 Dec 2015 12:32 pm

i think it's better just to never sell anything.
if you need more room, get a bigger house.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 3 Dec 2015 1:16 pm

Dustin Rhodes wrote:
Don R Brown wrote:With all the stuff going on these days, some police departments may be less than thrilled about the use of their lot for a sales office. It probably varies from one place to another.
The Tulsa police actually directs people to use their lot.

Here also.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Dec 2015 2:45 pm

James Sission has a lot of wisdom. He's an old friend of mine.

Some of you may remember back in 2007 when I found an Emmons guitar on eBay that had been stolen from me in 1989. I contacted the Austin PD, but I also called my friend James, who at that time was Houston police, and asked him what I should do. He said to simply contact the seller and explain the situation to them. I said "but they might pull the ad" and he said "so what's the harm? It's already been gone 17 years, right?"

Well, I did contact the sellers, and they were musicians and very sympathetic to my story. I soon I got the guitar back, made good, long-lasting friends with the folks that years after the burglary wound up with the Emmons and returned it to me.

So I follow James Sission's advice

Meet them at the police station.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 3 Dec 2015 4:16 pm

Thanks Herb, I am still plugging along. I finish my 35th year in 2016. My how time flies where your having fun right? If I recall, that guy who had the Emmons met you a gig and gave it back for almost no money ??

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Experience selling on Craigslist?

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