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Safest Way To Buy Out Of State Using Craigslist?

by Breakinglink
20 replies
I recently discovered a great website called http://www.allofcraigs.com which compiles every CL area so you can search them all at once. Now I am sure that this is not something new to most of you but was pretty new to me.

Well, needless to say the entrepreneur part of my brain got working and I figure this to be a good place to buy low and sell high because it is already obvious that these people are looking to sell.

I am trying to devise a safe and effective method of payment/shipping and I needed a little help from the community. I have selected some electronics that I want to buy and resell but the problem I am running into is that not many people trust PayPal and I do not want to send them a check unless I have some legal backing so that they don't just skip off with my money.

Here are a few of the ideas I have had:
1. Send a check certified mail that states a tracking number must be sent to me to have a legit transaction.
2. Create a website so that I can put some legal copyright on it and have the seller accept the terms on the website (Least attractive idea)
3. Try to find some type of escrow service that deals in this type of stuff

My pitch really involves me just being just an interested party and not a company because that may make the seller back away.

If anyone is doing something like this or if you just have some ideas I would be very grateful.
#buy #craigslist #safest #state
  • Profile picture of the author econnors
    The escrow service is probably the best idea. I'm not sure how well the conditions on the certified check would work. I also don't really know about the website idea. Maybe you could pay them via Paypal? They have buyer protection...
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    • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
      Originally Posted by econnors View Post

      The escrow service is probably the best idea. I'm not sure how well the conditions on the certified check would work. I also don't really know about the website idea. Maybe you could pay them via Paypal? They have buyer protection...
      I wish Paypal had a better rep when it comes to these transactions. I have tried to contact and offer this a few times with the same reaction "I dont like paypal".
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    If someone is going to run off with your money then it's going to happen. The "safeguards" you propose won't help and your time investment will be substantial. Escrow, well sure there are plenty of services. Can your margin model support that extra payment and again, lots of time management.

    As far as your idea I think you won't find the traction you hope for. Most Craigslist sellers simply want an easy transaction. They don't want to hassle with packing and shipping and dealing with accepting payment. I sell on CL and my goal is move the item and get cash now. If I want the other hassle I use eBay, which of course has plenty of payment protection. In the end the net is sometimes pretty much the same. The sale price of the item may be higher but the fees and the effort eat up the difference.

    Yeah, a bit negative but you are trying to use CL for something it is not designed for.
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    • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
      Originally Posted by redlegrich View Post

      If someone is going to run off with your money then it's going to happen. The "safeguards" you propose won't help and your time investment will be substantial. Escrow, well sure there are plenty of services. Can your margin model support that extra payment and again, lots of time management.

      As far as your idea I think you won't find the traction you hope for. Most Craigslist sellers simply want an easy transaction. They don't want to hassle with packing and shipping and dealing with accepting payment. I sell on CL and my goal is move the item and get cash now. If I want the other hassle I use eBay, which of course has plenty of payment protection. In the end the net is sometimes pretty much the same. The sale price of the item may be higher but the fees and the effort eat up the difference.

      Yeah, a bit negative but you are trying to use CL for something it is not designed for.
      Sure it was negative but I was looking for honest feedback and if the idea sucks then it is nice to hear from someone else in this community.

      I am focusing on people who have had posts up for more than a couple weeks and are still interested in selling. I try to make the transaction extremely easy because the items can be shipped in small flat rate boxes that I can send to the persons house and it already has my shipping address and it would fit in almost anyone's mailbox.

      The escrow service may work because I have a pretty nice ROI. I can usually find the items for about 50-70 dollars and they are worth about 180-220 on Amazon.

      Thanks for the post. It has given me something to think about.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Well, good luck but it's going to be difficult, especially with all the scams.

    Don't pay with check... thats what the scammers do with the BS fake checks. Figure something else out, checks you have no protection once it is cashed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Well, good luck but it's going to be difficult, especially with all the scams.

      Don't pay with check... thats what the scammers do with the BS fake checks. Figure something else out, checks you have no protection once it is cashed.
      Yea was hoping for some new ideas because I understand how extremely bad this plan is. Here is hoping that the right person comes along with a good idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    Well, what about Paypal? You can charge back anything with paypal. Escrow.com too. Any online escrow account will do if you convince the seller to use it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
      Originally Posted by beeswarn View Post

      Well, what about Paypal? You can charge back anything with paypal. Escrow.com too. Any online escrow account will do if you convince the seller to use it.
      I am just running into a lot of people who are confused on the Paypal system or do not trust it.
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      • Profile picture of the author econnors
        Originally Posted by Breakinglink View Post

        I am just running into a lot of people who are confused on the Paypal system or do not trust it.
        They ain't your market. (smile)
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      • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
        Originally Posted by Breakinglink View Post

        I am just running into a lot of people who are confused on the Paypal system or do not trust it.
        Yeah. People who sell junk expect to rip you off. It's very unnerving for them to think they're getting set up.

        I hope you figure something out. I really like this idea and I'm going to use that site to teach business to a kid. Thanks again for showing it to us.
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        • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
          Originally Posted by beeswarn View Post

          Yeah. People who sell junk expect to rip you off. It's very unnerving for them to think they're getting set up.

          I hope you figure something out. I really like this idea and I'm going to use that site to teach business to a kid. Thanks again for showing it to us.
          That is a very good point. Glad to have helped, I hope the kid does very well and we are all reading a case study on him/her soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    Well, you'll have to insist on postal money orders and cashier's checks, then. Anyway, thanks for sharing that site. It's very useful.
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  • Profile picture of the author RRG
    Typically people who don't trust Paypal don't know much about it.

    When you explain it's the one of the largest, (if not #1) online payment processor, that it's owned by Ebay, that most ebay sellers use it to accept payments, and that there are buyer protections in place, most people come around.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by RRG View Post

      Typically people who don't trust Paypal don't know much about it.

      When you explain it's the one of the largest, (if not #1) online payment processor, that it's owned by Ebay, that most ebay sellers use it to accept payments, and that there are buyer protections in place, most people come around.
      There are two sides to it... the people who don't trust paypal, don't know much about it. The other people who don't trust paypal, KNOW too much about it.
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      • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        There are two sides to it... the people who don't trust paypal, don't know much about it. The other people who don't trust paypal, KNOW too much about it.
        So true. Tried to indicate that without scaring him off.
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    • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
      Originally Posted by RRG View Post

      Typically people who don't trust Paypal don't know much about it.

      When you explain it's the one of the largest, (if not #1) online payment processor, that it's owned by Ebay, that most ebay sellers use it to accept payments, and that there are buyer protections in place, most people come around.
      That is a very good way to pitch the service. I will definitely be sure to use it next time.
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  • Profile picture of the author jt808
    The only two that I know of that is 100% safe is Escrow.com and Paypal. Since the minimum fee at Escrow is $25, your best bet is Paypal.

    You will have to explain that Paypal protects both of your interests.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Hmmm.. haven't used it much, but what about Google Checkout? IS that a possibility?
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  • Profile picture of the author rhinocl
    Find a courier company to work with in each area. You send them a check or money order, or cashier's check made out to the seller. They pick up the goods and ship them to you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
      Originally Posted by rhinocl View Post

      Find a courier company to work with in each area. You send them a check or money order, or cashier's check made out to the seller. They pick up the goods and ship them to you.
      That is an interesting idea, any idea what a company like that would charge?
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