Craigslist and Freecycle

1fish2fish

For those of you who have bought stuff off either of these.. is it normal for the seller to ask that you come pick up the item?

I've been trying to get 2 10 gallon fish tanks for months but no one is willing to meet me in say a well lit crowded parking lot or gas station.. they all want me to come pick the tank up at their house. Its not like these are large, bulky items.. they easily fit into the floorboard or backseat of a car.

Since I'm a 19 year old girl I feel uncomfortable going to a stranger's house by myself (and my friends are basically worthless when I need them). Am I just being overly cautious? I don't want to be one of those people that never does anything because they feel uncomfortable but I also don't want to be one of those people on the 5 o'clock news either. I was just wondering if any of you (especially the girls around my age) have bought stuff off craigslist/freecycle and had the same fear I do.


Oh and just a small rant.. why is it that people put ads up on these sites (freecycle especially) but never reply when you make an offer? I've inquired on over a dozen fish tanks, dog crates, and odd and various items on both craigslist and freecycle and have only gotten 5 replies at most. I mean the least they could do is make a quick email saying its been taken.. or remove their ad from the site./rant

Kaisa

im a 22 female and im always going to strangers houses from craiglists or my local fish forum to pick stuff up.. it's never bothered me but i understand there is risk... i wouldn't think preditors/bad guys would be posting fishy items to lure people but you never know. I once went to some guys house who was advertising free platies on craigslist. Now i realize how bad that could of turned out.

Just give someone you know the address and phone number to where you are going and you should be fine.

i'ts normal for them to want you to pick it up. They probly don't want to go out of their way. What you can try is asking them if they will be going to any fish/pet stores or any other store anytime soon and you can meet them there.

doggyhog

I personally wouldn't go the person's house. My dad does ALL the time, but he is a big scary guy. LOL

See if there is a Mcdonalds or another fast food place around..

1fish2fish

Thats what I tried but the only guy who agreed to meet me somewhere has not called me to let me know where to meet him.

All the others want me to come to their house. If I had a boyfriend or even a "boy-friend" I could bring him but I don't really know any guys well enough to ask a favor like that.

My sister sends her husband.. I think there is a double standard for guys and girls when it comes to stuff like this.

iamntbatman

Darn, I was going to suggest that you just bring a guy friend with you. Even just bringing another girl with you would probably be a heck of a lot safer though. Yeah, it is totally normal for people to just want you to come to their houses to pick the stuff up. I think most things for sale on craigslist are the kinds of things people would normally just throw away but figure they can get a little bit of cash for them and the ad is free, so why not? They won't load up a car and drive somewhere just for a couple of bucks, though.

dramaqueen

Yeah and they don't want to use their gas and put wear and tear on their car by meeting you somewhere.

herbwin

When out comes to tanks or fish, I think most CL posters list because they want people to come and get it, rather than loading it all up themselves and driving it around. Some people will even expect you to break down a running tank yourself! Plus, who wants to net, bag and transport fish to meet someone who may or may not show up? Most furnature people are the same way.

As far as safety, I think most fish posters would be "safe" people but certainly alert people or take with you when you go. I would consider it polite to let the person know you are bringing additional people to their home, they are likely as frightened/concerned with meeting strangers as you are. Plus, if they refuse, that could be a red flag for you. Don't want to end up in a hole rubbing lotion on your skin! ;)

I think the biggest danger is unknowingly going to a home in a bad area/neighborhood. If you don't know your town well, speak to other people. A map book is also a great idea, and a good thing to keep ithe car anyway.
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Jupiter

I've seen a few ads where the people offer to deliver, but then want you to pay for the gas. Lol.

I don't usually reply to the ones at people's houses necause it would be hard to take the stuff by bus...and normally they live pretty far away. I didn't even consder the safety issue...

aunt kymmie

Yes, I've always had to go do the pickups myself and I've never given it a second thought. I think it's pretty standard that as the buyer you pick up the goods. Being a younger female it would make sense to take someone with you. Especially if the offered item is "free", such as they are on freecycle.
I think most people on craigslist are really intent on selling their item, not into "luring" someone in for devious purposes. On the opposite side of this, when my B/F sells something he always offers to meet the buyer somewhere nuetral. He doesn't want anyone to know where we live or see our "stuff". I've always thought he was beyond paranoid but after reading this thread maybe not.

BCSparkyGirl

always picked up stuff myself, never had a problem......why the seller doesn't usually want to meet somewhere, is that many, many people on craigslist are flaky, and pull many no shows. Who wants to be sitting in a parking lot somewhere, waiting an hour for people that don't show up to get their stuff for free or dirt cheap? Not me for one.