Craigslist - Waskom,TX

I use it all the time to buy and sell. There are two easy rules to this: cash only and meet in a public space (coffee shop, library, etc.)
Good luck.

I've bought, sold, given away and gotten for free ... LOTS of stuff. School books especially.

MOST people on craigslist are no more likely to be trouble and 'case' your house than you are to case theirs. What you're more likely to run into is a bunch of flakey people who say they'll come get it/buy it ... and then never show.

Craigslist is a great way to "recycle" stuff. Another option is to donate the items and get a tax receipt or find a consignment shop ... depending on what you want to get rid of.

A.:

I use Craigslist regularly to buy and sell things.

Don't go into someone's home alone.

If you have large items like dressers, etc. to move - make sure you are NOT alone when someone comes to view it or pick it up. Those are things are hard to move around and meet in public places.

Also make sure the items are as close to the front door or in the garage. If you have a storage unit - that's a great place to get rid of stuff!! :)

Make sure you have CASH ONLY. And not $100 dollar bills - they are still forged. You don't want to get screwed.

Smaller items - hand held items...public places like Starbucks, Wal-Mart parking lots (they have cameras there too) as well as Target.

Use common sense.

We use it all the time for bigger items that are worth selling. Make sure you put good pictures so people know what they are getting. If I can get it in my car I will meet them at a public place, don't go alone, and only take cash. If it is too big they can come to the house but I usually have it outside in the garage or something so they don't have to go in my house. I've never had any problems other than lugging something out thinking they were going to buy and then they decide not to.

I have done a lot of buying and some selling on CL and never had any problems.

Just sold a bunch of kids toys for $25 Cash :) Met up in front of Kohl's and it was easy peasy....Good luck and yes you have to be careful but meet somewhere if you have smaller stuff say clothes,kids toys etc.... For bigger items make sure your hubby or someone you trust is with you and go outside never in your home .... nice way to make some quick cash...

I've never had any issues with it. We've bought and sold a lot of items using craigslist. For small items you can meet in a public place for exchange but for larger items (beds, furniture) the buyer will have to come to your house. If you're nervous, make sure someone else is at home with you when the person comes to pick the items up.

Do cash only. It keeps some of the crazys out.

I've used Craigslist successfully. Read up on the warnings on their site about scammers. Also, include certain criteria in your post, like "Call or text me at this number, you pick up in person, cash only please."

If you get weird messages about someone from out of the area sending a representative to look at your stuff, or they want to send a check or money order...it's a scam. Locals will call you, in person, and come the same day or the next day with cash in hand.

Good luck!

ETA: Also, check Facebook for local, in your city/area "swap shops." Lots of good deals found there, and many require that the members have a profile pic so you can see what they look like.

I do a lot of work with CL, many shady people... BUT with that said. Taken proper precaution and the knowledge that 80% of the people interested are actually "just looking" and will stand you up. It can be profitable and fun. I have met super nice people I stay in touch with and some super duper flakes that lead me to believe CL is the only other option for them to shop at cause they would have been sent to the looney bin had they tried to shop in public.

Not crazy about CL. My hubby has bought and sold a couple if things successfully NOT at our home . I wasn't crazy about that and in no way would I conduct a transaction at my home.

I'd donate to the women's shelter and get a tax deduction before I'd have any stranger at my house.

Just be wary because a lot of people are posers and are simply casing out your house!

ETA: Well didn't someone shut me up! Lol. Until you live where you are routinely "cased" I guess you don't know! CL is not worth it to me. Donate and take the tax deduction.

I've done it.. I've met with strangers in public places like a busy parking lot during the day.

There was a young lady who had a car for sale. The man came to look at it, he wanted to test drive it, they found her body several states away.

There is no way in heck I would do anything with Craigs list. It's crazy dangerous. Even if you have a P O Box. All someone has to do is go to your town and sit and wait inside the post office doing something and see who comes to your box. By the time you get your mail they'd have gone to the street and waited to see what you are driving. Then to follow you all they have to do is drive a few cars behind. Then if they lose you then just wait in an out of the way spot until they see you drive by again in a day or two.

I just wouldn't take the risk. Ever since this woman had her funeral in a church here I vowed to never use Craig's list for anything.

Never go to someone's house.
If you are listing things to sell and ALWAYS, meet them in a public place. Ask what car they are driving while not giving them the info of your car. You mee in the parking lot of a busy grocery store or restaurant.
Tell them up front cash only.
Price to sell. Don't overprice.
Be smart, be safe.
I've sold several things this way.
I will say this.....it has slowed down & everyone is looking for a cheap deal
so price accordingly.
Never give them your home address.
Don't let them come to your house.
If you have big ticket items like a sofa, sell them at consignment stores.
Safer that way.