Craigslist

[SoonerTexan]

Do you trust Craigslist and feel safe using it?

I've sold stuff on it before, DF just got rid of some furniture using it this weekend, and we even found our duplex on it. I'm actually going to try and buy a kitchen island off it today (bringing someone else along), but I just read a bunch of disturbing news stories that have scared me to death!

If you sell anything, do you let people come to your home, or try and meet them somewhere? I'm going to be selling my wedding dress in a few months, and I'm not sure how to do it without giving people my address.

Anyway, just wondering what people's thoughts are on it and the associated violence.

[v-girl]

I've met people places. I'm sure I've gone to homes too, but those were off local city message boards and were people my friends knew.

[Auspicious]

We have two window-unit air conditioners listed right now and so far my experience is that craigslist users are far too flaky to carry through with anything as organized as home invasion murder.

Seriously, though, I've always taken my husband with me when buying anything. These selling transactions will take place on our front porch if I can get anyone to show up. We live in a densely populated neighborhood with lots of foot traffic, though, and aren't listing anything valuable. In the only news story I saw the guy was listing multiple pieces of real jewelry.

[migirl]

I used to feel comfortable going to people's houses or having them come to mine, but not anymore. The last couple of times I've met the person in a public place.

We have some nice furniture that we wanted to sell before we move and were considering listing it on Craigslist, but the thought of having someone come to the house to look at it freaked me out too much so we ended up just giving it to our neighbor.

[OrionGrad]

I've sold a handful of things on Craigslist and never had a problem with giving someone my address. With that said, I live in a big apartment building and always go downstairs to meet the buyer in the lobby rather than telling him/her my specific apartment number. If I lived in a stand alone house, I probably would prefer to make the exchange in a public place.

I sell/buy stuff on craigslist all the time. I try to make sure I"m not alone when people come over or I go places. I did have someone come over once while I was alone. I did not let them in the house. As we all know, our spouses are so "busy" with their own lives, its hard to find time when they are acutally home to meet with these people. I have had no problems though. I love craigslist!

Lacy

[DCJenn]

I've bought and sold stuff on Craigslist and freecycle and haven't had any issues- but most of the time I haven't been alone. When we were moving, I put some bookcases on Craigslist and they went to a guy across the complex so I didn't feel too weird about him coming over- it's not like I wouldn't know how to find him. I've also found all of the renters for the DC place on Craigslist. A few were truly flaky (one couple was a little too impressed with which Senators they worked for- Rockefeller and Nelson (FL) and I truly could have given a rats ass. They were highly insulted when I wanted to run a credit check. Sooooo. They didn't get the house.

Jenn

[ides]

I've never sold anything but I've bought a lot of furniture off of it. I almost always go with dh and the people usually are not alone either (spouse or friend with them). I have gone alone once to see a table in a womans apartment and I wasn't uncomfortable about it. We also live in a big building with doorman, cameras, and lobby so I wouldn't have to give out my apt # and could meet them in the lobby if selling anything. I think it's safe as long as you trust your gut and bring/have someone with you. I've gotten some amazing deals on great furniture off of it.

[oceanchild]

We have two window-unit air conditioners listed right now and so far my experience is that craigslist users are far too flaky to carry through with anything as organized as home invasion murder.

A thousand times this.

I've sold a few things and let people come to my house/apartment. Generally I'd want it to be a time when my husband is home, but I haven't thought that much about it. I guess my default position is to trust people.