Insulting Craigs List offers

[MH Hawker]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

It sounds legit to me. Usually the wording is bad on the scams and they don't really ask questions. I would still want verifiable funds before giving up the boat.

I happen to be close to Charleston and I can say that the choices are very limited. If i can help out let me know.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

What if they do show up, well then I can show them the boat in person and tell them, "I just changed my mind again, I'm going back to my asking price, care to negotiate in good faith"?

Selling a boat (anything) is like fishing, first you have to get the fish to take the bait and then you have to land it.

Yea, I wouldnt do this. Im not going to make someone drive from who knows where to tell them I was screwing with them. I wouldnt want someone to do it to me, I wont do it to someone else. Their time is probably as important as mine is. I used to sell on CL all the time. So much that I bought a prepaid phone. A lot of people will look but if they dont see a number will keep looking. People dont realize it, but their are websites that will search CL nationwide for whatever you are looking for. CL is a great free tool. You just need to know how to use it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I think that dealing with unrealistic offers or bartering is part of trying to sell something. Whether it is via the printed media of old or the electronic media currently. The Internet just makes you listing available to a wider audience, so there is more responses to weed through to determine which are worth your reply.

having sold my previous boat via CL, I can say that about 80% of the responses were looking for the deal of the century or wanting to trade something. However, a serious buyer did show up within a short period of time and it was a done deal.

another thing about selling is that price matters.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I happen to be close to Charleston and I can say that the choices are very limited. If i can help out let me know.

Thanks!
The guy wants to have a call in a bit, I've told him everything I know about it, condition and history. We have had a really long winter here so I told him I can go to where it is and snap some pictures or video if he wants anything specific.

My only concern is funds clearing, I know some things might clear initially but 30 days later.... blow up. I might call my bank and discuss what they recommend?

It's a solid good looking sport boat for it's age and price.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

No need to be insulted.

"I'll give you $500 cash for that boat you listed for $5000?"

"Nah"

Done.




Lot's of other responses too like:

"Pass"

"Nope"

"I can't even make a counter offer on that one"

"Yur silly"

"Say wha????"

"No but I'll take $5500 on it"

"No but I'll take 500 ten dollar bills for it"

"No but I'll sell you my overweight cat for $500. He's really old and pees on the couch, hope that's ok. I'll be home all afternoon for pick up."

"Are you drunk?"

"Crack kills"


Insulted? Nah, just have some fun with it:becky:

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I got this response, maybe I'm skeptical- but buying a 17yo boat based upon my photo's and description without touching it makes me a bit suspicious, should I be?

I'm in Charleston, WV. I would be buying the boat based on the pictures and your recommendation and shipping the boat via Uship. I have been researching night and day boats listed on Boattrader.com, Powerboatlistings.com, Craigslist, and multiple other sites. I have funding and would like to make a decision by this Sunday. I just came across your listing today. If you could email me more pics when you have time that would be great. Do you have a marine shop do your yearly maintenance Is the boat currently and previously winterized? Other then the cover does the boat come with a bimini top, convertible top etc.? Does the boat have a stereo/cd/aux port? Is the tongue on the trailer fold away? Does the boat have any exterior cracks underneath or any damage exterior? What is the total passenger count or max weight?

Sounds legit to me. I've done deals like this before, I would make it very clear to him early on in your discussions that the boat does not leave you possession until the funds have cleared. Some methods take days and he is going to have wait. This will take a huge leap of faith on his part to send money to a stranger with nothing in return for a while but some buyers are willing to do that (I personally would not be).

Good luck, let us know what happens.

Also he pays shipping, although this is a minor detail compared to making sure you get paid.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

postal money orders are easy to verify, and harder to forge than a cashiers check. Postal money orders can be verified almost immediately upon purchase where a cashiers check needs to clear the clearing house.

https://www.usps.com/shop/accepting-money-orders.htm

I only accept cash, paypal transfers, and postal money orders with any transaction

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

postal money orders are easy to verify, and harder to forge than a cashiers check. Postal money orders can be verified almost immediately upon purchase where a cashiers check needs to clear the clearing house.

https://www.usps.com/shop/accepting-money-orders.htm

I only accept cash, paypal transfers, and postal money orders with any transaction

I use paypal a lot, but never on something with a title. Too easy to get those transactions reversed in the 30-45 day window

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

Postal orders are $1,000 maximum.

Paypal - the buyer get's a return period (unless given as gift, I'm not sure on the details), plus there are fees, and I believe there is maximum as well.

Money wires will put the money in your account but it's not always immediately accessible and can be pulled back in some cases Again I don't know all the ins and outs, Check on your specific transfer before the boat leaves your possession.

The one time I accepted a money wire I drove to the bank before the guy picked the boat up and withdrew the cash. The 18 year old kid at the grocery store branch TCF went pale when I asked to withdraw 10k.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I use paypal a lot, but never on something with a title. Too easy to get those transactions reversed in the 30-45 day window

Most purchases or sales with a title are cash transactions

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

Most purchases or sales with a title are cash transactions

I would say the exact opposite. Proportionately speaking very few boat, car or motorcycle deals are an all cash transaction. Think of all dealer sales that have loans. If you buy from a dealer in cash over a certain amount they have to report it to the IRS (for clarity when I say cash I mean cash, not a cashier's check)

In general I would say people are comfortable carrying up to about $10k in cash. Beyond that it's usually a cashiers checks. I can think of a few times where people were offended that I asked for more than $5k in cash.

Regardless, the OP is asking about a long distance deal with UShip delivering it, I can almost guarantee that will not be a cash deal.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I would say the exact opposite. Proportionately speaking very few boat, car or motorcycle deals are an all cash transaction. Think of all dealer sales that have loans. If you buy from a dealer in cash over a certain amount they have to report it to the IRS (for clarity when I say cash I mean cash, not a cashier's check)

In general I would say people are comfortable carrying up to about $10k in cash. Beyond that it's usually a cashiers checks. I can think of a few times where people were offended that I asked for more than $5k in cash.

Regardless, the OP is asking about a long distance deal with UShip delivering it, I can almost guarantee that will not be a cash deal.

Generally dealers have a bit more backing though with a customers SSI number on a loan application or a certified check, I recall most places won't accept over a certain amount on a personal check from when I did auto sales.

The guy seemed interested- I'd rather sell it local for cash but if this works and his funds are good I'll run with it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

As legit as the inquiry may sound, I do not think that CL is really meant for long distance transactions. Usually, distance is used as part of a scam. Just saying.

there was an interesting thread on THT a while back about a guy who got scammed.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

there was an interesting thread on THT a while back about a guy who got scammed.

That forum moves so fast.. It could be a full time job just trying to read everything that comes across in a day! If you have a link or know some key words I'd be interested in reading.

I was a bit irked, the buyer interested in my boat e-mailed me compliments on my GTO and other toys (regarding the condition I keep my toys) he saw on my FB page- makes me scratch my head that I thought I had the security settings pretty high as far as who can see what...

 

[Lurch77]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I think a 25% lower opening offer is reasonable. If I am about to purchase a truck or boat listed at $20,000, for example, I would probably make my first offer $15,000. By the end of haggling I would likely get it for about $17,500. That is not unreasonable. Same for something at $1000. I'd offer $750 and end up somewhere around $800-$900.

You have to leave room for haggling. If 25% of your current asking price is too low, up your asking price a bit so that the initial offer is closer to what you would settle for. Of course this risks turning off some potential buyers. It's a risk you take to get more money. I always price my items at the high end of their value. The buyer haggles me down, which makes them feel they got a good deal, and I feel I got what I wanted for it.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I would offer another opinion, you set the price "fair" for your area, did you consider it's still hardwater seasson so no test runs? I would never pay close to a retail price during hardd water season.

I never email an offer always in person or over the ph. I'll go see it first unless the price seems out there a bit than I want to know there's room before wasting my time going to look.

all cash sales are no problem, I've done a few. BTW you get asked where the money came from even with a cashiers check. I have no problem with folks insisting on cash amounts even over 10K as long as they understand my other pocket or friend who is with me is holding something as well.

I sold a car out of state to a young man. told him I would deliver after his cashier check cleared the bank. He had no problem sending the money to me and waiting. He paid for the delivery as well.

People have to be realistic in their demands. on both sides. most people are easy to deal with.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

I would offer another opinion, you set the price "fair" for your area, did you consider it's still hardwater seasson so no test runs? I would never pay close to a retail price during hardd water season.

I never email an offer always in person or over the ph. I'll go see it first unless the price seems out there a bit than I want to know there's room before wasting my time going to look.

all cash sales are no problem, I've done a few. BTW you get asked where the money came from even with a cashiers check. I have no problem with folks insisting on cash amounts even over 10K as long as they understand my other pocket or friend who is with me is holding something as well.

I sold a car out of state to a young man. told him I would deliver after his cashier check cleared the bank. He had no problem sending the money to me and waiting. He paid for the delivery as well.

People have to be realistic in their demands. on both sides. most people are easy to deal with.

I think for my area I'm fair, asking in the $5K range, the boat is mint and turn key, just older. trailer is a 2010, compared to the backyard junkpile boats I see on Craigslist it stands out. I have the service history and ownership history. I'm going to pull it out tomorrow if I can get through the snow at my in laws property to the garage we parked it in.

I've generally had some really good sales with cars and other items over the years, just sifting through a few of the goofy ones comes with the territory I guess.

 

[jkust]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

EVERYTHING is negotiable however it wouldn't cross my mind to ask for a discount on tires-.

I just bought tires for my suv this week and negotiated the price as the sales guy walked me through the options. Tires are a negotiable purchase. I simply asked what the best price was he could offer.
My thoughts are that buyers don't want to drive out to see it until they hear that you will at least consider some negotiating. I just bought a 4 wheeler and every single one of them was far from my house. While I don't attempt negotiation in an email, I can see why someone would. I'm generally willing to pay more for a used item in exceptional condition like you mentioned.
On the buying side as well, when I do buy something used off of CL, I have put a lot of thought into the very succinct questions I will ask in an email or text inquiry if that is how they wish to communicate. Most will not answer them appropriately or skip one but not others which generally lets me know it is not the one for me. There just seems to be somewhat poor communication from many sellers as well.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

anytime there is another seller of an item there is a negotiation available.

BTW Chris I did not intend to say YOUR price wasn't fair only giving an opinion of why they may want to offer less. 25% less doesn't seem bad tell your willing to neg price but only in person, once he's there if you drop 10% it's a good deal for both. just thinking out loud here

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Insulting Craigs List offers

That forum moves so fast.. It could be a full time job just trying to read everything that comes across in a day! If you have a link or know some key words I'd be interested in reading.

I was a bit irked, the buyer interested in my boat e-mailed me compliments on my GTO and other toys (regarding the condition I keep my toys) he saw on my FB page- makes me scratch my head that I thought I had the security settings pretty high as far as who can see what...

I think this is the thread . . . the person was sort of in denial at first and wanted to believe that it was real. The boat stayed in his possession, so no real harm done in the end. But there seemed to be a reluctance to see the bigger picture despite virtually every reply blowing the scam alarm

Advice on CraigsList Scam - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

My only other advice about CL is not to take any low offer personally, they are just telling you what they are willing to pay. It does not mean you have to consider it or try to rationalize it.

When I sold my F-242 (with a blown engine) on CL I had a bunch of folks reply fairly quickly with offers around 60-70% of my asking price ($7,900 ask). Some wanted to trade a motorcycle for it, etc.. Most were from several hundred miles away, which raised a flag (to me). Also, the fact that they would want to talk price without seeing it was suspicious. I did not really waste much time with those folks, just politely said no.

I suspected that I could get a bit more, and since it had been listed for only a few days, I waited it out a bit. Within a week, a local guy came to look at the boat, looked at the busted engine, said "would you take $7,000 for it". . . "Yes" was me.

Of course there is the issue of having listed something for a fair amount of time and not receiving any offers even close to your asking price (say within 20%). That may be an indication that the price is too high. . . I see it all the time, not just on CL, but on all of the boat listing sites. . . boats listed for a long period of time and no price reduction. I almost think that the seller somehow believes that listing something for a longer period will get them their higher price. It doesn't seem to happen.

As far as Facebook - I have never understood the Facebook privacy settings . . . or course I don't spend much time there.