deanfl Loc: Georgia

When we moved from Idaho to Georgia, we used Craig’s list for the first time, to sell many items. We made it clear in the ad and on the phone...the first person who shows up with cash gets the item. It turned into a very positive experience...we met many wonderful people who got outstanding bargains and we made some money and thinned our inventory. It sounds like your seller(s) didn’t tell you up front that they may sell the item to someone else who showed up first.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I guess it depends where you are and how you can read people. I have had very good success with both purchases and sales on craigslist.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I’ve bought lenses and a tripod off Craigslist. Happy with all of the purchases. All done in public places that had security cameras prominently hung. The sellers were as cautious as I was in terms of not wanting to walk into a scam.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Craig's List is not well policed and you will find unethical people here in greater numbers than say on ebay.
I have purchased cheap used cars for work travel and have gone to see the car and one side from the photo looked great and the other was caved in. Owner got mad when I looked at the other side and commented. It is viable, we get furniture and other things and frequently sell on it. Just be careful and understand the risks and that there are those who are unethical and just accept it.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Nothing but good experiences both in buying and selling. Have sold several lenses and a body on Craigslist and have purchased a few things including an 1100mm telescope, no issues.

Jim70 Loc: Delaware

I only use Craigslist for things that can't easily be shipped. (woodworking tools). I find, at least locally, that photographic stuff is WAY overpriced. (Nikon 3200, used for $300!).

For photo items I either use KEH, Roberts Camera, or eBay.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I bought a John Deere Lawn Cart on Craigslist years ago. Was quite pleased with it.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I've sold many items on Craig's List, all locally. And, they have all been very good experiences. That said, I've also had items that I wanted to buy get sold out from under me. I've not done that to anyone, but might have an explanation as to why it occurs...

It seems to me that a sure sale overrides a deal done in advance. Personal integrity aside, get the cash as quickly as you can. Not my way, but some do it that way.

Lately, CR has become a pot-luck sales area, that is mixed with honest folks and scam artists. Just this week, I placed two listings, one for a radial arm saw and the other for a band saw, on CR. Almost immediately, the "buyers" respond with interest. All of them, I suspected, were scams. I responded to each inquiry, but the return info was sketchy and had alarm bells going off. Things like they were moving to another state and had to buy it NOW. Or, the contact info was suspect in some way. BS. So, I have now withdrawn the listings and am rethinking my wood shop plans.

CR can be an excellent place to buy or sell. But, be cautious and watch out for scams! Scams can be from buyers or sellers. Stay alert.

ELNikkor

Remember, the general populace may not be savvy in selling ethics, they're just average (or below) local folks trying to get some money for their things. My few experiences have been "no problem". My best deal was when a camera and lenses listed as "Sears" went from $50 to $25. I figured, "Now that is in my ballpark!" I met the man in a parking lot, did the deal, even though the bag looked ancient and worn. But when I got it home? A pristine black Sears Pentax mount KS2 with 50 1.8 and a 135 2.8, flash, numerous fresh rolls of Fuji film, and down deep in a hidden pocket, (get this!) a Nikon 55mm 2.8 AI Micro lens! So, yeah, Craigslist has been a positive experience for me.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I've never bought/sold photo equipment on CL and never will, but have sold large items - sofa, chairs for pickup years ago (2011, last time)....many do it successfully but it's dicey....there is no buyer/seller protection such as on ebay. Meeting in public is a good idea, if possible.

Zazzy1 Loc: Northern Ca.

I have a Fitness studio in Ca. and have bought and sold many times on Craigslist. I have always spoken to the person on the phone first, no text. I need to hear their voice. I live in a very safe area and have always made sure the transaction is in a very public place I always have someone with me. So far so good.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Which is fine, if they’re honest about having other potential buyers set up. In my case it was the seller that wasn’t available for three weeks and he knew I had taken time off to meet. I had another seller up in Philly that I bought a kayak from. I was up there visiting my daughter for several days and he didn’t respond to my initial inquiry until I was driving home because he’d been traveling. He actually held the kayak for two weeks until I could get back up there.

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

first one to the door with cash gets the prize.....cash talks the rest walk. I have bought and sold, when selling people don't show up, want to renegotiate price when they do show up, so the first one with cash gets the deal.

jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

I've sold both a camera and a lens without issue (and a golf club) - perhaps it's a location issue - my sales have been on Long Island and in NYC. Never purchased from the List - have purchased lenses from Ebay several times - all without incident.

Marvelton Loc: Little Rock, AR

I’ve not had any trouble on Craig’s List but have started using Facebook Market Place as more my go to for used equipment. At least I can do a little background check on the person I’m doing business with. Someone with a recently created account is probably shady.