What I learned on Craigslist

[313guy]

I learned that even though computer equipment, cameras, video games and phones have their own categories, sellers prefer to list them in electronics so we have to wade past them.
I also learned that when you see stereo/sterio/stero systems listed for under $100 it they will have attached speakers and a handle on them.

 

[parman]

I learned that a Pioneer reciever on ebay is $800 but mine dosen't work so I'll take $500.

 

[Duckzilla]

"I'm asking $xx, which is a bargain" or in other words, "my perception of what my item is worth is vastly over-rated".

 

[313guy]

I learned a while ago on CL that the i before e rule does not apply to "recievers". There are 59 listed in Detroit right now and I sometimes forget to search it.

 

[royf]

I learned that Kenwood 3400 receivers sell for 200 bucks from cl salesposters, but I could only get a $20 from a cl buyer???

 

[royf]

i learned that if you see a good deal that there is no way anyone is going to answer the phone let alone emails!!

 

[Vistance]

That the word "woofer" is the most difficult word to spell in the world. I've seen it spelled "woopher", "whooper", "wolfer", and "woffer" - and that's just today...

That anyone who says "If you don't leave a number, I'LL DELETE YOUR EMAIL! NO NUMBER, NO REPLY!" is an a-hole you don't want to deal with. Why the hell would I give a stranger my phone number when 95% of people in Craigslist sound brain damaged over the phone and won't answer their phone? The few times I've played this little game, the seller is always like "Don't waste my time with offers, blah blah blah" when they want way too much for something that isn't even that good. Sad that the few people who sell home audio on Craigslist who actually know what they have anymore are complete idiots.

 

[chicks]

I just today learned a new spelling for speakers: speeckers. First time I've seen it spelled quite that way. http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/2331291840.html

Also learned that people actually think their craptastic 80's-90's no-name rack system speakers are worth $800, and that they don't even need to identify them, just that they're in "very good condition": http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/2331174924.html He does say "Offering $800/OBO". Does that mean he's offering me $800 to haul them away?

 

[DonQuixote99]

Tell him you'll take $900.

 

[winters860]

Let's see...

No matter how many times something's been run over, if it's over ten years old, it's "in good shape for its age".

To find out how to price something on CL, check eBay. Find the listing with the highest BIN. That's how much your item is worth. Price it accordingly and be sure to print out a color inkjet copy of the listing so you can prove to potential buyers that it's worth what you're asking.

If you don't know how to price something (ie, no current eBay listings), just put $10 on it and the local stereo guys will immediately turn it into an auction, ensuring you get a fair deal. Of course there's no need to actually sell something for what you're asking to the first responder! Pffft!

 

[vol4]

I learned that people should start checking their A$$ cracks for that lost expensive factory remote that fell into the void after six months! And as for the owners manual. We didn't need no stinking owners manual. You can print a copy off the internet. Yea,Yea

 

[toxcrusadr]

Things are just as bad over on Freecycle. I was giving away a Nordic Track last weekend, which was left over from a big charity garage sale. I got the following responses:


1. [Titled 'Nortatrack']: really could use it.

2. do you still have this?

3. woul love 2 have if so can i get it to day. joan

4. Hello, I was wondering if this was still available? If so, I would love to set up a time to come get it. I've been looking for one to use for physical therapy. Thank you and happy freecycling! Britney

Hmm, which one to give my item to? The guy who can't spell the name of it even though it's right in front of him, or two people who can't make a complete sentence and/or write to me in textese, OR the nice lady who is not only articulate and polite but gives me a reason to think she's going to use it and not just try to resell it. Lucky for me Freecycle lets me give it to whoever the heck I want.

Edumacation is worth something after all. But I'm preaching to the choir here.

 

[Vistance]

If selling a reel to reel and it works - it's instantly worth at least $200 even if it was BOTL junk and comes with no reels. Broken RTR's are still worth $100 though, because they're RARE!

 

[ghettofunk]

That everything is a receiver...

"I have 3 Onkyo recievers one is the Equalizer the other one is AM/FM radio and the third one is 6 disk cd player if you want them"

That got a good chuckle.

 

[Duckzilla]

Things are just as bad over on Freecycle. I was giving away a Nordic Track last weekend, which was left over from a big charity garage sale. I got the following responses:


1. [Titled 'Nortatrack']: really could use it.

2. do you still have this?

3. woul love 2 have if so can i get it to day. joan

4. Hello, I was wondering if this was still available? If so, I would love to set up a time to come get it. I've been looking for one to use for physical therapy. Thank you and happy freecycling! Britney

Hmm, which one to give my item to? The guy who can't spell the name of it even though it's right in front of him, or two people who can't make a complete sentence and/or write to me in textese, OR the nice lady who is not only articulate and polite but gives me a reason to think she's going to use it and not just try to resell it. Lucky for me Freecycle lets me give it to whoever the heck I want.

Edumacation is worth something after all. But I'm preaching to the choir here.

I'ver just about had it with Freecycle. Just attempting to give something away turns into a career. I put in the listings "reply only if you're giving a time for pickup", do you think they do? Nope. I blame indifference, stupidity or just an opportunity to piss me off.

 

[toxcrusadr]

That everything is a receiver...

"I have 3 Onkyo recievers one is the Equalizer the other one is AM/FM radio and the third one is 6 disk cd player if you want them"

That got a good chuckle.

Sad isn't it...OTOH I once picked up on Freecycle a "receiver tuner" thing 'sitting on the driveway, come get it' that turned out to be a Dynaco SCA-35 tube integrated. No tuner in sight but who cares!

I'ver just about had it with Freecycle. Just attempting to give something away turns into a career. I put in the listings "reply only if you're giving a time for pickup", do you think they do? Nope. I blame indifference, stupidity or just an opportunity to piss me off.

After thinking about the responses I got, I'm starting to think at least some of them are phishing for valid email addresses. I actually hope so, because that would mean some of these bozos didn't actually think I'd give it to them based on their dumb response. BUT there are a lot of nice folks on Freecycle around my area so I still like it. CL Free section is rapidly gaining ground, so I watch both.

 

[efotoguy]

My number one criterion when choosing an audiophile speaker:

These speaker play "really loud".

 

[BrianLW]

I learned:

It is in excellent condition but you can see some scratches and marks from normal using.

I used to collect cameras, and that is actually what "excellent" means in that world. To wit:

Excellent "80-89% of original condition. Shows moderate wear. May have small dents and/or dings and slight finish wear. Glass may have slight marks and/or blemishes that will not affect picture quality."

 

[mikey3117]

In all seriousness, Craigslist has been a great way for me to buy/sell equipment to fund my hobby... I've kept all the nice pieces along the way. I've been scouring CL for over a decade now and have watched the prices go from dirt cheap to now often times exceeding ebay prices. It's still fun... Yes, the equipment many times is not the condition as advertised, but sometimes it exceeds. That's the fun! Many regular sellers have emerged and are not the nicest but for the most part, I still enjoy CL on a daily basis. Where else can you go treasure hunting from your desk at work...

 

[meandog]

I have learned that if it's what I am really looking for and the price is right,it's too far away to make it a deal.