Buying a tv from Craigslist

Is Craigslist free?

 

Free in what sense? There are no fees to sell things, if that's what you mean. But there's also a section of free stuff that people are just happy to get rid of.

 

I meant is it free to buy and sell stuff on there, I didn't figure anything was free off the site. lol

 

No buying/selling fees - and a freebie section! It's a win/win situation!

 

I always meet them at Target or somewhere that a lot of people are going to be walking around at.

 

So I'm currently in process of moving out of Austin and relocating to the Bay Area. I can certainly attest to the greatness that is craigslist. In the past week I've sold the following on craigslist:

Eurway bed - $150
Ikea dining room set - $85
sofa + loveseat 5-piece living room set - $575
Sony 32" WEGA = $100
Panasonic 5.1 Home Theater System - $150

Everything sold within about 2 hours of posting. Crazy.

 

Is it normal for people to offer more than your asking price?

I was selling my TV for $700 (not my step dad's TV), and somebody offered $800.

I'm a little nervous because this is my first craigslist deal.

I would meet at a public area, but I'm sure the buyer would want to check out the TV.

Suggestions?

 

UPDATE on my situation:

this is a direct copy and paste of the potential buyer's response:

"I will like to proceed with the transaction asap and my mode of payment will be via bank check drawn on my bank (Bank Of America) as there are too many scams on internet with bogus money orders and personal checks,i am purchasing this item for my brother in abroad for his birthday coming up next three weeks so you're to ship the item to my brother via Global Express Mail (USPS) after you must have confirmed and cashed the check i will include shipping fee in the check so you have nothing to worry about.
I should have handled this myself but i am not available to do this now i am currently away for my company seminar that is why i want to do this to facilitate the transaction so proceed to delete the craigslist posting of the item if my mode of payment is accepted and get back to me asap with your full name,physical address and Phone # to send the check to you."

Is there any way I can get scammed? If I read that correctly, the buyer wants to send a check, for me to cash the check, then for me to ship the TV.

 

that sounds like a scam to me. i only do freaking cash transactions on craigslist.

 

Thats a scam it looked fishy and usually people selling stuff on craigslist would at least put a contact number.

 

I buy stuff on craigslist but mostly FTF and cash deals.

I would never buy a TV there, most of the stuff I buy is stuff I know very well that either I can see if it is OK or fix it if problems arise. Neither is true with a TV for me.

LCD's are pretty cheap these days, buy a new one.

 

A good idea, but impractical for me since I didn't have a vehicle that would fit the things I was selling.


cc - proceed at your own risk. I would bail on it myself.

 

I think craigslist tells you to only deal with people locally and not involve shipping things due to scams. I wouldn't do it. I saw something on Oprah about this. They give you a check and the bank clears it at first and then later finds out it was fake and you're responsible for giving the bank back their money.

I wouldn't do it.

 

I wouldn't do it either...too much of a hassle.

DD