Question about buying through Craigslist

[StressLess]

Do you ask to see the receipt for things you buy on Craigslist?

We had a very successful experience buying a used lawnmower through Craigslist this summer, and I didn't give this a second thought--I mean, I've never heard of anyone stealing or fencing banged up old lawnmowers!

But now we're looking to upgrade our tv, and the one I had my eye on has been discontinued. Craigslist is our best option to find one, but I'm a little apprehensive. I find myself wondering why someone would want to sell nice HD-ready tvs at such good prices. One guy even shows the original carton. Did he get a deal because it's discontinued, is he just in debt and trying to raise cash, is the going price low just because it's used, or did it "fall off the back of a truck." Should I worry?

Curious what you think.

[maat55]

Buying on craigslist is much the same as buying at a garage sell. I have not bought anything long distance and am not aware of that possibility.

I would buy under the same idea that you are buying second hand from an individual.

[MonkeyMama]

Agreed.

My husband got such a good deal on our last TV he considered buying a second one and selling it for the profit. No doubt there are these kinds of situations. & no doubt there are people trying to pass off stolen goods (happens on ebay as well). But I think you just have to go with your gut.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Ask to see the receipt? No, I would not. If I were to sell something on Craigslist, I would be unlikely to have the receipt. I don't save receipts once I know I am happy with what I've bought. I would pay attention to whether the circumstance feels suspicious, though.

There are some dealers on Craigslist. I mean dealers who have regular stores. Those are the people I do not even want to buy from. They might be totally legit businesses, but it does not seem to be in the spirit of CL, so I start off with the feeling that they are not to be trusted.

[freesamples]

What is Craigslist? Is it like eBay.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by freesamples

What is Craigslist? Is it like eBay.

You can check it out here. Just find your area or look anywhere.
craigslist: tulsa classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

[leighangela]

I've gotten all my living room furniture, two headboards, two apartments, and a dog on craigslist. But I wouldn't buy a tv from there. My current tv is about 25 years old and works great. They don't make tv's like that anymore I'm told. So I'd want to make sure I can return it or get it serviced.

[sounderella]

I've sold a lot on Craigslist and I've bought a lot on there. Just make sure you buy locally.

In regards to HDTVs. Not sure what you're looking for but you may want to look into the brand Olevia. They're going bankrupt. We just bought a Olevia 42" flat screen LCD at Target. Reg price was $1400 and we got it for $600. (This was in store and not online). Of course smaller tvs are probably cheaper. It's been a great TV so far.

Look at Circuit City too.

Even with discontinued brands, you can still get a square trade warranty that will repair or give you cash value if something was to happen.

[StressLess]

Just wanted to report how it turned out--the guy we bought it from sounded nice over the phone. I even checked his neighborhood on a website that shows where convicted criminals live! (None in his area. He said he'd bought it a year ago and had it in a storage unit which they were now trying to clear out. Also, one corner of the box was rather mashed.

So I assumed he either got a great Black Friday deal last year, or got a deal because of the box damage.

We paid $200 for just the model tv we wanted, which I was ready to pay almost $600 for including tax, if Best Buy had still carried it. But they didn't. It is working great, has a beautiful picture, no problems at all.

[JeanneElle]

It's like anything else - there are good deals and bad deals. Friends of ours have bought and sold many times on Craigslist and have never had a bad experience.

[trueknight]

I had my one and only bad experience on craigslist recently and I was the seller!! I had an extra gas grill that I didn't need anymore so I put it up there for sale. A lady came over and bought it for $30 bucks. I told her it was my favorite trusty grill and it was in excellent condition and lit everytime. Lo and behold, two weeks later I start getting hateful emails about the grill not working and that flames were coming from the bottom when she tried to light it, and then supposedly one of the knobs nearly melted!! I keep telling her that it was fine when I sold it to her, so I'm offering to be a nice guy and at least go check it out because she obviously isn't doing something right. She wants a refund, but I can't see myself budging on this. I don't think I'll be selling anything else on there - I believe there are predatory buyers out there as well as sellers that you have to watch out for.

[MoneyTrev]

I've used Craigslist to sell many things.

From Gameboy's to Chess sets, I have earned lots of money with it. The pros is that you don't need to pay to list but the downside is that it's better to sell to local and not international because of the protection offered.

[marc0130]

Craigslist - The year round garage sale. Buyer beware, seller be ready. Thoughts on buying a tv... Hmm Like others said, buy local, test it at the sellers site if possibe and maybe generate a simple bill of sale.

I ____________ sell TV, Make, Model, Serial, to _______ and so one.. There are a ton for free online. This may help reduce your liability int he event the TV is stolen. Note i say MAY!!!!!

I personally have bought and sold numerous items via craigslist. I search it every day for new deals.

Good luck

[Goldy1]

I have sold some used furniture I replaced and other various household items ie my old tv when I bought a new one on craigs. Me and my DH were having a discussion about the possibility of getting robbed having strangers come to our home. Tha tis a possible concern.

I got an e mail last night which was a scam from a used table I am selling on craigslist. I might post a thread about it.