I hate craigs list

71T Targa · 11-07-2007, 07:37 AM

I am getting rid of a bunch of junk so I posted a washer and dryer for free. I had a call almost immediately. The person takes old washer and dryers, fixes them up and sells them for cheap or donates them to needy family's. They will get them Saturday, and would like the ad removed NOW. This is all well and good until Saturday at 1 comes around and I am sitting there waiting and no one shows. SUCK

So I e-mail them to see whats up, and re-list. I don't hear back, but on Sunday someone else e-mails, and they will get them Monday after work. Sounds great. Till guess what? Monday after work they don't show! Go figure, now I'm 0 for 2 trying to give something away.

Tuesday I get contacted by a third person who tells me they want them, and will pick them up on Thursday. Just after I set that up, person #1 e-mails again with a story about van trouble, and being in the hospital, and they want to pick up today. I don't want to give them to them any more, but if they are gone today that's better than tomorrow in my book. And if their story is legit, I like the idea that they are doing this to help people.

Grrr, no shows make me

legion · 11-07-2007, 07:39 AM

Isn't that HILARIOUS when it happens?

notfarnow · 11-07-2007, 07:40 AM

Any guesses, PPOT?

71T Targa · 11-07-2007, 07:41 AM

I don't think he's anywhere around here. But it does burn me.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Put it out on the curb. It'll be on some junk barge (pickup truck) within 5 minutes. At least around these parts.

71T Targa · 11-07-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Put it out on the curb. It'll be on some junk barge (pickup truck) within 5 minutes. At least around these parts.

Thought about that, but it's at the house we just started renting out, and I don't want to make that kind of impression.

So, should I give person #1 another chance to pick up tonight? Or tell em to blow and give #3 a shot tomorrow?

equality72521 · 11-07-2007, 07:47 AM

Better yet, sell them for $100 and you'll have people beating down the door. It's funny how free makes people not so serious about picking them up but when they think they are getting something for a steal they are there in an hour.

rammstein · 11-07-2007, 07:50 AM

I bet your sides are splitting from all of the laughter after being stood up twice.

HA ha ha.

legion · 11-07-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equality72521

Better yet, sell them for $100 and you'll have people beating down the door. It's funny how free makes people not so serious about picking them up but when they think they are getting something for a steal they are there in an hour.

Good point. List them for like $50 each or $75 for the pair...

HardDrive · 11-07-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equality72521

Better yet, sell them for $100 and you'll have people beating down the door. It's funny how free makes people not so serious about picking them up but when they think they are getting something for a steal they are there in an hour.

+1

Its one of the golden rules of craigslist. Anything thats free brings every weirdo in town, and they are typically unreliable. Charge $20 for the same item, and you get the 'bargain hawks', who tend to be far more motivated.

I love craigslist. Great place to buy bike parts.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I just ended an eBay auction early for a 993 center console that I was a little worried about shipping, when a local guy bargained up with me and wanted to come pick it up. Well, wouldn't you know it, he didn't own a 993 yet and the one he was gonna buy failed the PPI. So he bailed on me. Last time I ever end an auction without getting the money first. I'm kicking myself. Luckily, several others emailed me asking why I ended the auction. So I have some back ups.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by phred68

Thought about that, but it's at the house we just started renting out, and I don't want to make that kind of impression.

So, should I give person #1 another chance to pick up tonight? Or tell em to blow and give #3 a shot tomorrow?

Hmmm. . .

Got any neighbors you don't like?

Any friends you need to play a joke on?

Palum6o · Palum6o's Garage

Can you donate them yourself to say Goodwill or a church or something?

rammstein · 11-07-2007, 08:32 AM

Oooh- I've got it! Tell Goodwill you are bringing some items by, ask them to be there at 5:30. THEN DON'T SHOW UP!!! They will all have a good laugh.

on-ramp · 11-07-2007, 08:46 AM

Joel, turns out we have a need for your stuff... I'll be over tomorrow after work . how does that sound?

just wait for me. I'm coming...i wont let you down this time

RickM · RickM's Garage

Same exact thing happened to me when giving away an electric dryer.

In addition I had to explain how the machine wouldn't work on 110. Most of the knuckleheads wanted instructions on how to change the 220 plug on the dryer so it would fit into their 110 outlet.

After 2 weeks of frustration I brought it to the town recycling center.

One community forum that works better is www.freecycle.org

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palumbo

Can you donate them yourself to say Goodwill or a church or something?

then you get awrite off, so you did not give them away for nothing.

If it is free, that is how much it is worth to the "interested" party

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Best to simply state "first come first served" along with "ad will be removed when items are gone".

71T Targa · 11-07-2007, 10:58 AM

I wasn't too keen on removing the ad in the first place. But oh well...

My wife tells me this is now resolved and they will be picked up tomorrow at 6. We will see...

Super_Dave_D · Super_Dave_D's Garage

Dude my van broke down and I was in the hospital or it broke down while on the way to the hospital - whatever!! I still want the washer and dryer!!