The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Selling a Computer on Craigslist?
UnreadableHulk
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm moving out of the country shortly and I need to sell my new desktop computer. I'm planning to sell it on Craigslist because I don't want to have to deal with shipping. (Which would include the tower, a 22" widescreen monitor, all the peripherals)
I know there are as many scammers on Craigslist as elsewhere, and to be just as wary. Do you have any particular advice for selling a computer on Craigslist? I know to specifically say how much I want and to state I won't accept trades of any kind. However, I was thinking I would offer to have people pick it up from my apartment? That way if they asked they could see that it works, and I'm not out in public somewhere alone with $3000 of computer equipment. Does that sound like a good idea, or has someone had an experience to the contrary?
I know there are as many scammers on Craigslist as elsewhere, and to be just as wary. Do you have any particular advice for selling a computer on Craigslist? I know to specifically say how much I want and to state I won't accept trades of any kind. However, I was thinking I would offer to have people pick it up from my apartment? That way if they asked they could see that it works, and I'm not out in public somewhere alone with $3000 of computer equipment. Does that sound like a good idea, or has someone had an experience to the contrary?
UnreadableHulk on
0
Posts
Might I suggest the Police station parking lot? Let the front desk know about it to prevent suspicions.
If someone was going to buy your car, you wouldn't let them test drive it with two of their friends and just you in the car, would you?
Edit: And by unsavory, I mean like. If a 13 year old kid and his mom show up, you probably don't need to have the kid stand outside. Unless he looks really tough.
So ask the Mom to wait outside?
Ya, as a general rule, I wouldn't invite strangers into my house to view my $3000 computer, because then they may decide not to buy it, and then they know where I live and that I have a $3000 computer, $1500 LCD TV, $1000 of stereo equipment etc etc.
My point exactly...
In general this is not the best idea, though most of the times I was selling things on Craigslist it was furniture so wasn't really feasible to show it to them elsewhere. One guy came with a woman that was buying furniture from me to help move it. He stole my phone while loading the furniture. Luckily I was able to get it back by contacting the woman (who I believe then went to the kid and threatened him). In any case, you want to be careful about who you invite into your home as mentioned already by others. The problem is that, at least on Craigslist, people might EXPECT to be able to come by and look at it to verify everything before agreeing to buy, especially at higher prices.
Thinking about it a bit more, that does sound like a better idea. I'll certainly have a picture that it works, but not outright offer to show it off in my home.
Anyone with direct experience selling a desktop computer on Craigslist?
Steam Twitter
Assuming everyone is a rapist/criminal/scammer is really a terrible idea. Yes, they are out there, but they are a very small minority of people. Reality is, most people are basically honest in these dealings. They're just as worried about YOU being a scammer. Usually, it's pretty obvious when somebody is sketchy and somebody isn't. If they want you to send it to Nigeria or they want you to cash a bigger check and then give some money back, don't do it. Otherwise, stress out a lot less.
Avoid money orders because the bank often takes a while to figure out if it's forged and will take the money out of your account later.