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The sheriff's department substation parking lots here welcome citizens wanting a safe place to meet for craigslist and similar transactions. Call their non-emergency number and ask for ideas.
Yes, even private firearms transactions are welcome.
I read of a police station that was either a new build or remodeling that was going to include a conference room for CL transactions.
Putting things in your garage doesn't really make things safer. A potential robber can still scope out the exterior of your home. Depending on what you are selling, they may determine if your house has other nice things in it and come back at a later day and time to break into your home.
It's the same thing with yard sales. I know someone that had a yard sale. A few days later, someone broke into the house and stole much nicer things inside the house that the homeowner had no intention of selling.
Good to know.
To those who suggested police dept parking lot, etc, this is for large items I can't move easily or transport by car.
I think I might just donate everything. When I factor in the hours spent listing, fielding buyers, carrying out the transaction, etc. I suppose it's not such a loss.
As a single woman myself, I had agonized over this issue when I was clearing out a relatives house. At the end, I decided against selling - not worth the risk or hassle. I was very worried about the idea of a stranger in my home, and couldn't pack the stuff up to bring to a public place.
I agree with some posters. This is a non-issue. I have sold so much from CL and always had people come inside my home. Then again, I lived in a condo, so if something happens they are on security camera entering the building. That being said now I'm in a house, and I have a bunch of furniture in the garage, trying to sell as we speak actually.
I'm a guy, with a couple of black belts, don't particularly think someone would want to try anything, but I really don't think it's a huge issue. Most people just want cheap stuff honestly. If someone pulled a knife or a gun and said they are taking something for free, I'd just tell them to have at it. Enjoy. No worries, take it. Obviously they need it more than me and I don't really care about getting much money out of this stuff, it's mainly getting rid of it frankly.
I do have a Glock 9mm though so I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea having it somewhere reasonably close and accessible, just in case. Still, I wouldn't worry about it much. Not a bad idea to have a friend there, if it makes you feel better.
There have been a handful of highly publicised cases of people being attacked from Craigslist. The main cases were related to that guy who was meeting escorts through craigslist privately in hotel rooms. It is extremely unlikely that someone is going to use a furniture sale on craigslist as an opportunity to rob or kill you. I've sold furniture a couple of times while single on craigslist and never had any issues. To be overly cautious I would just ignore any emails that seemed a bit weird or too short.
I've sold many things from my garage on Craigslist and never had a problem. I always put cash only in my ads because I don't want or need scammers. Small things I will usually meet at the drug store.
To those who suggested police dept parking lot, etc, this is for large items I can't move easily or transport by car.
I think I might just donate everything. When I factor in the hours spent listing, fielding buyers, carrying out the transaction, etc. I suppose it's not such a loss.
Please do this. You sound like you might end up shooting somebody.
I'd love to sell some items via CL and have done so before with excellent results, but this was when I lived in urban areas, in apartments, in younger and more carefree days.
Now I live alone in a house and am wondering if perhaps I could have the items moved into the garage, and then show the items there. I'd also have a gun concealed on me and could even set up a laptop as a webcam and have a friend keep an eye on things via the web.
Does this sound like a good idea or still too much of a safety risk?
Definitely depends on what you're selling. What crowd is it gonna appeal to?
If you're selling books, I have a hard time believing anyone dangerous will show up.
Likewise a stove or a closet door or whatever.
When you start getting into electronics, cars, and other high price items; it's quite possible to run into some shady people.
Try to weed them out through email and/or text and phone.
I've run into two people on CL that I wouldn't care to meet in a dark alley. Nothing terrible happened to me though.
I bought a subwoofer on craigslist a year or two ago and the guy who was selling it to me had a baby in his car and he was like "Yah man, let me show you this bad boy" and he started cranking up the subs with the kid in the back yelling and screaming. He was with a woman who kept telling the baby to be quiet.
They created quite the scene.
I buy and sell a lot on Craigslist. When I can I meet people in a parking lot of a place that people will care if there is a disturbance. (walmart shoppers will keep walking, whole foods shoppers will call the PD) If I can't it's always the garage. I'm also armed. I'm also a guy that's been told I'm intimidating a few times in the past, i don't see it. I have a pick up so I offer delivery to my area. Then i feel a little more comfortable if I know where they live.
I always google every bit of info I can get out of anyone I'm having come by. Email addresses, phone numbers, names, etc. If I come across anything I'm not fond of I stop responding. People share a lot on the internet these days. If I find their facebook or twitter and it's full of family pics and so on I'm thrilled.
If you are concerned about being a cased as a single woman make yourself a script and masculine sounding email address. Be forward and be conveniently unavailable for the time they want to meet or talk on the phone.
"Hi Buyer, I work from home but I'm scheduled to be on a conference call when you plan to stop by. It's probably going to run long. My wife will be here, I won't take less than (price) for the item, please bring exact change and she'll be able to get it to you at that time. Please call or text when you are close so my wife can meet you in the garage. If you ring the bell my pack of feral rabid wolves will bark disrupting this very important call with my clients. Thanks, Tony USMCtonyBLACKBELTdoghandler@yahoo.com"
I've sold many things from my garage on Craigslist and never had a problem. I always put cash only in my ads because I don't want or need scammers. Small things I will usually meet at the drug store.
Yeah, cash only and tell them to bring the exact amount. I've had people show up for a $100 item and say "i only brought $20". Amazingly when I say no they come up with the rest of the cash. If I go out of my way to meet and someone tries this crap I still won't sell it to them out of principal. If you see the item and it doesn't look as good as it did in the pics I'll work on price, but anything else and i'm out. I sell things because I don't like waste and like to keep a little cash for "fun money". not because I'm starving.
Quote:
Originally Posted by seain dublin
Please do this. You sound like you might end up shooting somebody.
please. don't be absurd.
Donating is great if you want it gone and could use a tax write off. I stocked my local Habitat Restore quite well on my last move. some places will even pick up if you call ahead.
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