If you think this through, the danger is AFTER the sale - when you have the cash and the buyer has both the title AND your address. I always meet in the lobby of the bank. If we make a deal, it gets deposited right then. Takes the danger down a notch.
Safety During Face to Face Craigslist Transaction
- Thread starter cbrgator
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ForumSurfer
Member
I wouldnt do business as a buyer. A deposit i could understand, but not the full amount up front. I've bought and sold stuff off of listservs before there was a Craigslist.
That may create a sense of safety, but what you are suggesting could be misconstrued as impersonating an officer. It'd be better just to say "Meet me in the PD parking lot" as that could never be viewed as impersonating an officer.
Shoobee
member
I dont give "deposits".
I either buy something or I dont.
And I always inspect and test everything I am looking at. You need to.
There are some immoral people using Craigs List who try to unload their inferior goods on you.
I either buy something or I dont.
And I always inspect and test everything I am looking at. You need to.
There are some immoral people using Craigs List who try to unload their inferior goods on you.
Shoobee
member
If you really are that worried, then the parking lot of your favorite bank is the best place to meet. Then you can inspect and deal in the parking lot, exchange the goods for cash, and walk right into the bank and deposit your cash right away.
As for me, having Smith & Wesson in my opened Liberty Centurion gunsafe nearby, that is good enough for me. The Smith holds 6, and the 45ACP next to it holds 10 + 1.
But the bank parking lot is not a bad idea.
Shoobee
member
Sam is right, that crazy talk like that can easily be interpreted as a terrorist threat.
ForumSurfer
Member
After some thought, I had o re-evaluate. I recently sold a car that had extensive motor work done (550+ rwhp). I specified that there would be no test drives and no full throttle "ride-alongs" while I drove the snot out of it, but you could ride while I drove it normal. I'm not putting that much wear and tear on a motor (that I over built so it should take it, but still!). The deal was to put cash in hand, then you drive, then you sign it over. Either way, the cash was in my hands and it was understood that it was mine at that point...you could test drive before or after we signed the title.
Shoobee
member
He's right LoosedH, it wasn't a very good idea.
wasr10634unme
Member
remind me never to buy anything from this guy...
mcdonl
Member
I ride on a regular basis with a guy I sold a bike to on CL... I am glad I did not have to shoot him. PS - We were both carrying as it turned out.
I did a CL deal at the back portion of a storage lot one time.... I was armed, not sure about them but I use the compressor I got for an amazing deal everyday. I have done deals at home, at others homes, in public... never had an issue but I always expect one.
A cople of years ago a man was raping women at their houses by setting up CL deals, so it is...as usual... about mindset.
I did a CL deal at the back portion of a storage lot one time.... I was armed, not sure about them but I use the compressor I got for an amazing deal everyday. I have done deals at home, at others homes, in public... never had an issue but I always expect one.
A cople of years ago a man was raping women at their houses by setting up CL deals, so it is...as usual... about mindset.
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
The times I've sold things on Craigslist, I've open carried. But I also wore dress pants, nice shoes, a button down shirt and tie. Or at very least, nice kakis and a tucked in polo.
It shows I'm armed, and it shows I'm a "good guy". Now I know you're all thinking "NO, wearing nice clothes doesn't make you a good guy, I'd be cautious no matter what". You're saying that from the perspective of a gun owner reading the "strategies and tactics" forum on a gun site. Most normal people don't think like us. To 95% of society, wearing a suit=not a thug. It's a subconscious thing.
It shows I'm armed, and it shows I'm a "good guy". Now I know you're all thinking "NO, wearing nice clothes doesn't make you a good guy, I'd be cautious no matter what". You're saying that from the perspective of a gun owner reading the "strategies and tactics" forum on a gun site. Most normal people don't think like us. To 95% of society, wearing a suit=not a thug. It's a subconscious thing.
FIVETWOSEVEN
Member
- Joined
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- 5,146
If it's at your home and your concerned enough to have strangers come to your house because that's where your gun is, shouldn't you have it on you when they show up at your home? I know you live in Cali but I can't imagine that it would be illegal to have a loaded gun on you when you're on your own property.
mcdonl
Member
Says detective to me.
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
Alright. Generally not someone who's gonna rob you while you're buying an old printer or guitar.
theautobahn
Member
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- Jan 16, 2012
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- 280
Meet at a public place. Yes, anyone can get your address, either off the Internet or from a title, but why tempt them. Keep the honest people honest
I would concealed carry, but that's me and something I would be doing anyway.
If you go by yourself, make sure you tell someone where you are going / what you are doing and check in with them when you get back.
You could do the old "dial 9-1-1" and be ready to press call/send if there's an issue, but I think that's a bit of overkill.
Another option might be to have a bluetooth headset on and have someone on the phone wit you while you complete the transaction.
The problem with those ideas is that if something does go south, you have no immediate help.
This is slightly different, but I have a friend who is downsizing his gun collection through a local online classified that allows firearms listings (obviously not craigslist). He chooses to open carry during these transactions, but I personally don't think that's a great idea (as has been said already, I think it's asking for trouble - although not as much as announcing he'll be packing when setting up the meeting). I often ride with him (he doesn't disclose this) and more often than not, the person he's meeting has someone with them as well (generally they don't disclose this either). We assume they will bring a "friend", and I always assume they're armed. There's a sort of understanding to these transactions.
I would concealed carry, but that's me and something I would be doing anyway.
If you go by yourself, make sure you tell someone where you are going / what you are doing and check in with them when you get back.
You could do the old "dial 9-1-1" and be ready to press call/send if there's an issue, but I think that's a bit of overkill.
Another option might be to have a bluetooth headset on and have someone on the phone wit you while you complete the transaction.
The problem with those ideas is that if something does go south, you have no immediate help.
This is slightly different, but I have a friend who is downsizing his gun collection through a local online classified that allows firearms listings (obviously not craigslist). He chooses to open carry during these transactions, but I personally don't think that's a great idea (as has been said already, I think it's asking for trouble - although not as much as announcing he'll be packing when setting up the meeting). I often ride with him (he doesn't disclose this) and more often than not, the person he's meeting has someone with them as well (generally they don't disclose this either). We assume they will bring a "friend", and I always assume they're armed. There's a sort of understanding to these transactions.
sonick808
Member
There is reason to be paranoid. Murders over high dollar amounts via craigslist occur with alarming frequency; especially regarding motor vehicles. I prefer the public parking lot also. have a friend follow you there with a car in case they decide to sign the title and pay in cash on the spot. This is not a transaction i would conduct at my home, at night, or in a low-population area. As a motorcycle rider, I know the joy of having some idiot drop your bike while "testing" it. Demand to hold the $ in full up front for any "test" rides.
mcdonl
Member
Ragnar my friend... if your buying used printers of CL you have already been robbed
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
Lol. True. The only things I've sold on Craiglist were a Yamaha sFz marching snare drum and a some cymbals, and I've only bought furniture.
Bobson
Member
That sounds like a terrible idea to me - no offense intended. I don't see the benefit, and what does fair have to do with anything? The OP is going to carry a firearm to defend himself if the need arises.
I also disagree that the OP seems paranoid. Nothing wrong with taking a precaution. I wouldn't meet with any stranger while selling a vehicle by myself, and I wouldn't be unarmed either. If you carry to the grocery store (as so many of us do), why on Earth would one neglect carrying when making a potential sale for thousands of dollars in cash?
Just sold my Harley a few weeks ago on Craig's List. The highlights:
- Buyer came to my house at dusk, he had seen the ad too late to come during the day. He pulled up on his current Harley, with a BIG friend riding his own bike. I don't care, I was prepared to defend myself and my home.
- My CL ad said clearly: NO TEST DRIVES. I explained that I would offer a mechanic's inspection and demonstrate that everything worked, and besides that, the bike was like new. Turns out we use the same mechanic - that helped put him at ease about the condition of the bike.
- He left and came back the next day, with his wife, driving a pickup truck. Looked at the bike and gave me a $500 deposit. Said he’d be back the day after next with the balance in cash. I said no, I’ll meet you at the bank. I did this for two reasons: I didn’t want to count $14000 in cash multiple times, and didn’t want to worry about counterfeit money.
- Met his wife at the bank, she passed the $14k to the teller. Teller counted and verified cash was real. I signed over the title and everyone was safe and happy.
As for getting the car keys from the buyer of your bike: A friend of mine did this and the buyer never returned to retrieve his car. Turns out the car was stolen.
So that's my experience, take from it what you will.
- Buyer came to my house at dusk, he had seen the ad too late to come during the day. He pulled up on his current Harley, with a BIG friend riding his own bike. I don't care, I was prepared to defend myself and my home.
- My CL ad said clearly: NO TEST DRIVES. I explained that I would offer a mechanic's inspection and demonstrate that everything worked, and besides that, the bike was like new. Turns out we use the same mechanic - that helped put him at ease about the condition of the bike.
- He left and came back the next day, with his wife, driving a pickup truck. Looked at the bike and gave me a $500 deposit. Said he’d be back the day after next with the balance in cash. I said no, I’ll meet you at the bank. I did this for two reasons: I didn’t want to count $14000 in cash multiple times, and didn’t want to worry about counterfeit money.
- Met his wife at the bank, she passed the $14k to the teller. Teller counted and verified cash was real. I signed over the title and everyone was safe and happy.
As for getting the car keys from the buyer of your bike: A friend of mine did this and the buyer never returned to retrieve his car. Turns out the car was stolen.
So that's my experience, take from it what you will.
MuleRyder
Member
gpjoe...you did everything right!!!
Florida must be one heck of a combat zone. LOL!! The guy with the money is the one who should be worried. You only stand to lose a motorcycle that is probably insured. He is the one who should be paranoid about robbery. I'd say no thanks after reading your post.
Fred Fuller
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