Do You Carry A Weapon/Craigslist Meet

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by speeder

There is always a 1-in-a million chance of getting murdered in this world, if your solution to this is to always be armed and scared, that's up to you.

I have bought/sold many things on CL from my home, sellers home, and public settings. Given the recent CL based crime I will concede to a more conservative approach to my dealings and be more observant. Folks want to carry a gun that's their business. I like my odds better without the fancy hardware.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by speeder

Someone who has other plans than buying your item will seriously balk at phone communication or meeting you in a public place.

You are seriously underestimating the mindset, boldness, and/or desperation of said shyt bags. With the advent of burn-phones, cloning, or even the false security of using "caller ID block" these idiots have become much more brazen/confident.

Originally Posted by speeder

Criminal shyt bags absolutely cannot disguise themselves as human beings on the phone, it's impossible.

Believe it or not, there are such things as confident/cunning/convincing criminals/cons. Otherwise there wouldn't be nearly as much fraud/theft in the world. Those who perceive themselves as savvy, skeptical, observant, "masters of situational awareness" get duped every day. If you are just the slightest bit gullible, greedy, too trusting, desparate (to buy or sell), or any combination, the odds of getting unintentionally relieved of your goods or cash go up significantly.

Originally Posted by speeder

There is always a 1-in-a million chance of getting murdered in this world, if your solution to this is to always be prepared, that's up to you.

FIFY.

[BernieP]

I would not shoot someone over wheels or $900 but to prevent getting shot, stabbed, or beaten, yes I would shoot.

BernieP

[patssle]

Originally Posted by 74-911

Absolutely

Long story here but in summary: middle of the day at a major intersection, both drivers armed, throw in a little road rage when one of the drivers bumps the other and a bunch of lives ruined forever.

North gets 70 years in prison for murder of Austin David » Abilene Reporter-News

And no, I'm not anti-gun and have more than my share but for the above reason I choose to not carry one around with me. There are just to many armed hot-heads running around..

Who pulled the gun first? Article doesn't say (it doesn't even really talk about what happened). Important detail in which the 70 years is justified or not.

[Joel8005]

Without hestitation, YES!!!!

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by berniep

i would not shoot someone over wheels or $900 but to prevent getting shot, stabbed, or beaten, yes i would shoot.

Berniep

+1

[vash]

NO. i wouldnt.

in california it would land me in the big house. in texas, i would go with my brother armed to the gills. here in california, i would roll up in a ball, protect my soft underbelly..and play dead.

all my online sales go down at a Starbucks. i'll throw my double double carmel, no foam, extra hot, quarter fat, vanilla soy, chai at the perp. safety first.

[Cobracarrera]

Originally Posted by jyl

Yes, I would be armed. I would also arrive before the appointed time and reconnoiter the area. Identify cover and egress routes. From concealment, I would watch the other party arrive. Make sure he comes alone, look for any accomplices. Make him wait as you observe. Look for any sign that he is armed, as well as indications of agitation. If he appears to have come alone and unarmed, proceed with the meeting. I'd be armed with a primary weapon, and a backup. Not sure what you mean by small caliber, at least the primary should be a sufficient defensive round, no less than 9mm Parabellum. Ideally the backup is the same caliber and uses the same magazines. For example, my primary is a Glock 19; a good backup would be a Glock 26. Wear clothing that allows rapid access to your weapons. During the interaction, be careful about body positioning. Don't turn your back on him or let him approach you with the sun at his back. As you are looking over the wheels, walk around so that you are behind him, if he maneuvers to prevent this, that's a clue that he's a threat. Maintain a protective radius, which means keep a minimum distance away from him - I use ten feet. Don't shake hands or pass keys, papers, etc hand to hand. Telling people you have a cold is a good way to keep your distance. Good luck. Next time, use eBay and avoid in-person transactions.

I actually did what you proposed.......

I did take a pocket 380cal. (S&W Bodyguard) and had it in my front pocket as the area was actually fair close to Atlanta..(I was glad I had it after I got there)

I got there early, picked a good spot near an exit in the front and I was able to see him arrive alone....

It all went off without any issue....thankfully.......

He did mention however that he used to do a lot of C/L sales/trades... and has backed off on this as he has encountered some strange meetings.......He felt that my meeting with him would be fine as he checked my trade rating on the Mustang forum we both belong to...I checked him out as well......


Thank You everyone for the great advise...It help me see things that I did not even think about...Thanks for the Yeah and Nay's...It did give me guidance...and I am now $900 more richer......

[tfmcmahon]

First of all,if you are inside of 5 ft. from anyone,you won`t have time to pull a weapon.You are dead meat if the bad guy has it in for you. Another basic issue would be to ask when the last time you spent time on a range and fired that weapon.Just carrying a gun does not guarantee you will be successful protecting yourself.

[sc_rufctr]

Lots of good advice so far...

If you're worried why not take a friend with you. He could be in another car some distance away observing the transaction.
All he needs is a good pair of eyes and mobile phone.

Some weird things have happened to me at such meetings so I understand your concern.

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

The guy sounds like a real nasty piece of work. And a paedophile to boot!

But what always surprises me is how other people don't sense the dishonesty in these people when they talk to them.

-------------------------------------

A few years ago I went to a "sellers" house to look at an old Alfa Romeo. As soon as I met him I thought something was wrong. I didn't know why at the time but I just had to get out of there.
I made an excuse and left without even looking at the car.

Amazingly I saw him later that day on the evening news being arrested by the police...
As It turned out he had murdered his wife and stuffed her body in the roof space of the house they were living in.

[gtc]

I carry on the way to the crapper. You never know when someone's going to try to steal your $hit.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Sad, very sad you guys feel the need to be armed to go about your daily business

[LeeH]

I actively sell on CL and have had numerous people come out to my house. It's hard to demo and sell $500 worth of audio gear in a parking lot.

I just want to turn on the news one night and hear a story like, "2 million people sold items on Craigslist today and everything went well," instead of "One guy got jumped while trying to buy an iPad."

[Eric Coffey]

Obviously, your approach and methods of interacting can/will vary with the nature/value of the goods in question.

For fairly low-value items, bulky stuff, furniture, etc. then sure, come on over. Actually If I am the seller, I'm reluctant to leave the house, or travel very far to accommodate any buyer. I certainly wouldn't be inclined to deliver anything, due to the high percentage of flaky buyers on CL.

The last CL deal I did involved me as the buyer. Item was a fairly expensive watch (and me carrying a lot of cash). Meeting was at a public place, but in South Phoenix. So yeah, you bet your azz I was carrying. However, the deal went off without a hitch. Very nice people, and we chatted up a bit afterwards. I never once thought about my gun (see fire extinguisher analogy above). Still, I did manage to get a bill of sale w/ driver's license info and also noted their vehicle plate # (just as insurance against it being stolen property). If you want to call that being paranoid, so be it.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

Sad, very sad you guys feel the need to be armed to go about your daily business

Says the guy hiding behind a screen name, too afraid to reveal his real name or location.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Says the guy hiding behind a screen name, too afraid to reveal his real name or location.

Not hiding or afraid just don't feel the need to shout about it you have a PM

Still think its sad but then I'm lucky enough to live in a part of the world where I don't feel the need of a gun to buy or sell Porsche parts

[Don Ro]

When I lived in CA, I would sometimes carry a little .38 with me in a pocket when selling something of value - meeting in a local shopping center parking lot.
Then one year, I was marketing a $4,600 engagement ring (I called off the deal) and I chose to have the potential buyers meet me in the local police dept. parking lot.
I just told them that I had a meeting and would coincidentally sell to them (I'm not a cop).
I figured that most would behave themselves at that rendezvous point. Sold many a high $$$ item that way.
I now live in AZ and would carry no matter what - cuz I can.

[azasadny]

Lots of good suggestions here about being smart and conducting business safely with a stranger. I like to be smart AND carry my concealed pistol. I carry it everywhere I'm legally permitted to carry it because I simply DO NOT KNOW when/where something may threaten me or my family and I want to be prepared. Again, to me, a gun is like a fire extinguisher and I want to have them nearby and know how to use them BEFORE there is an emergency. No emergency, no problem...

My neighbor's friend was shot at a local gas station a few years ago and he didn't expect trouble, he was just filling his tank and some guys robbed and shot him. I believe in being prepared, that's why I carry a flashlight, tools, and a first aid kit in my car. Call me crazy or paranoid, but I do not care, that's what I do...

[Baz]

When I trade on CL.....I always set up code names - I'm Broadsword and he/she is Danny Boy....here is a re-enactment of how it went down last time I set something up.....just glad I brought along my friend, Clint...could have been very ugly!

Broadsword calling danny boy - YouTube

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by azasadny

My neighbor's friend was shot at a local gas station a few years ago and he didn't expect trouble, he was just filling his tank and some guys robbed and shot him. I believe in being prepared, that's why I carry a flashlight, tools, and a first aid kit in my car. Call me crazy or paranoid, but I do not care, that's what I do...

Gas stations are where you are very vulnerable. How many times do you keep a good watch on a 500' radius when you're pumping gas? You're looking for spills and watching the pump empty your wallet. There are plenty of muggings and self-defense shootings at gas stations. I am on high alert when pumping gas. Remember, those cameras are to help the cops find the bad guy after the crime, not to stop the bad guys from doing bad things.