Author Topic: Antimustachian Craigslist  (Read 4345 times)

chouchouu

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Antimustachian Craigslist
« on: July 16, 2014, 11:34:05 PM »
So I've been looking for a bike on Gumtree, the Aussie version of Craigslist. So many expensive bicycles, barely used. One particular beauty caught my eye, $400 for a very fancy looking bontrager, apparently bought at Clarence St cyclery, home of expensive bikes. The description lists a fancy inner city suburb and that the bike has been used twice to cycle around Centennial Park. I decided to look up how much it costs new, $1399!

You think she would have at least listed it on a bike website, might get back more than 30% of what she paid... I'm guessing she bought an outfit and fancy helmet to go with her pleasure bike too.

What crazy things have you spotted on Craigslist?

theconcierge

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2014, 04:11:27 AM »
There are a lot of deals to be had on gumtree with bikes. Given that I ride everyday and spend a lot of time of bikes, I have had three friends ask me to help track down a bike for then on gumtree. A lot of people buy bikes with goals of losing weight and getting fit... then the bikes sit around for 12 months before they decide to sell.

Talking to my local bike store, a lot of people become "inspired" by the tour this time of year and will drop 5k plus on a new bike (and have no idea!)


AH013

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2014, 05:42:23 AM »
I more see the opposite in my area -- people listing used items for sale for more than it would cost me to buy the item brand new shipped to my house. This is particularly the case with electronics.  Idiots remember that they paid $400 for a TV 5 years ago, and figure it ought to be worth at least $250 now, only they can't bother to do a simple search on Walmart/Amazon/Best Buy to see someone could get a better brand new TV for $150.  I see it for so much stuff, I don't even bother trying to use Craiglist in my area, because even if you find something you actually need, and they're the 1 person in 10 who actually is asking for a reasonable price for their used item, and they're the 1-in-5 who actually respond to their own ad, they'll probably stand you up when you go to make the deal.

TheNorwegianGuy

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2014, 05:50:02 AM »
I just saw this on Finn (Norwegian Craigslist) a rare Louis Vuitton football (See attachment). I mean come on, there is so much wrong here I dont even know where to start.... The price tag: $ 5000

He starts of by writing: "I have now taken the hard decision to sell this incredible rare football. It is sold due to bad economy"

Bad economy? Hm... I wonder why...


(And yes I do recognize that this is a so called "collectors" thing. That the "value" may even go up. But that is ONLY because there is enough (idiots?) people out there who thinks a football is suddenly worth thousands of dollars because it has a certain L and a V on it)
« Last Edit: July 17, 2014, 05:57:57 AM by TheNorwegianGuy »

Hunny156

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2014, 10:43:07 AM »
I more see the opposite in my area -- people listing used items for sale for more than it would cost me to buy the item brand new shipped to my house. This is particularly the case with electronics.  Idiots remember that they paid $400 for a TV 5 years ago, and figure it ought to be worth at least $250 now, only they can't bother to do a simple search on Walmart/Amazon/Best Buy to see someone could get a better brand new TV for $150.  I see it for so much stuff, I don't even bother trying to use Craiglist in my area, because even if you find something you actually need, and they're the 1 person in 10 who actually is asking for a reasonable price for their used item, and they're the 1-in-5 who actually respond to their own ad, they'll probably stand you up when you go to make the deal.

CL does seem to be a very localized thing.  In NY, You always had to price in some negotiation, b/c no one ever buys at asking price.  And some people are downright rude - after posting a very nice glass table & 4 chair set in pristine condition for $150, some jerk e-mailed me with the following:  "I have $25 for you, make it so!"

Out here in TX, I'm shocked at how rare it is for folks to negotiate - they come prepared to pay asking price.  But they are so much more lax in their follow-through.  Missed appointments, having to work around their schedules, etc - probably the most infuriating part about selling on CL around here.

You will always have people who just think their crap is worth gold when they need to sell.  They are the same ones who think your crap is worth $1 when they need to buy.  My strategy is simple, I'm very honest about the condition of the item, and I take good care of my stuff.  Before I post, I check and see what the competition is selling similar items for, and I price mine competitively, usually a little below the competition.  Most of the stuff is gone in 24 hours, with multiple back-ups in place for the no-shows.

Bobberth

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2014, 01:24:49 PM »
Quote
(And yes I do recognize that this is a so called "collectors" thing. That the "value" may even go up. But that is ONLY because there is enough (idiots?) people out there who thinks a football is suddenly worth thousands of dollars because it has a certain L and a V on it)

Are you sure that's not a V and a L on that thing?  I always compliment women on their V-L purses.  Once they figure out what I'm talking about they get quite offended. One even started crying.  It's quite sad when a 'brand'=your identity and how fragile that identity can be.

Joggernot

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2014, 01:46:34 PM »
Quote
It's quite sad when a 'brand'=your identity and how fragile that identity can be.

+1

I don't buy brand.  I buy what is available at the second hand thrift store.

chouchouu

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Re: Antimustachian Craigslist
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2014, 05:56:52 AM »
There are a lot of deals to be had on gumtree with bikes. Given that I ride everyday and spend a lot of time of bikes, I have had three friends ask me to help track down a bike for then on gumtree. A lot of people buy bikes with goals of losing weight and getting fit... then the bikes sit around for 12 months before they decide to sell.

Talking to my local bike store, a lot of people become "inspired" by the tour this time of year and will drop 5k plus on a new bike (and have no idea!)

Yeah gumtree seems to have some great deals. I guess I'm lucky to live in a wealthy city where people can't even be bothered getting a good return on selling items they've hardly used and never needed! I'm still surprised someone would buy such an expensive bike when their intention is to ride it around centennial park, especially since you can hire bikes there! It works out to $500 each time she used the bike...

I'm wondering what bike to get, I'm thinking a fixie since I loved having one of those before but I might need gears since I intend on carting a bike trailer up and down a hill...

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!