Craiglist Rip-offs

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dphilbert

New member
The prices that people are trying to get for used equipment on craigslist is absolutely ridiculous. The majority of listings are asking 80% of brand new retail prices or more, and quite a few are asking 95% of retail prices for equipment that is several years old!!!

A couple examples:

Coralife Superskimmer 65g - $100 ( on this one the person claims they spent 200 on it new which is either BS or they got seriously ripped off; the 65 retails for 120)

120 gal megaflow w/ black pine stand - $750 - this is actually MORE than retail right now because of a promotion aqueon is running - the tank and stand would be $665 BRAND NEW!!!!:hmm5:

40 Gallon plexi sump - $175 - this has no micron socks or chambers or anything, just a scratched up 40 gallon box


It never ceases to amaze me how greedy/cheap people are, especially aquarium hobbyists. I work at a LFS and I can't begin to tell you how much complaining I hear from customers about prices, often followed by "Oh I spend soooo much money here! I've spent over 200 dollars here! The owner knows me".:headwally: Its actually really funny when they do that, not just because theres plenty of fish that are over $200 for one specimen, but because its like they are trying to assure me that they are a more important customer than everyone else I'm helping and that they deserve special treatment.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. Sorry for the rant :beer:
 
yes there are always people asking way too much, they must get it sometimes. I have been a sucker at times, usually caused by impatience.

For example bought a dog cage for $100, then went to the store and saw a new much nicer one for $95.

oops.
 
I paid far too much for my tank, but unfortunately there is no where within 100 miles of where I live to get a tank bigger then 55gal. Also living in Canada getting a tank made and shipped it super expensive. Sometimes circumstances dictate if people are willing to pay that much, and sometimes they do...sadly for me!
 
Craig's List and the LFS are the same deal, if you don't want to or can't pay that much, ask for a discount. If you still don't want to or can't pay the amount, don't buy it.

Jeff
 
For whatever it's worth, there are frequently really good deals to be had as well. I got my motorcycle for $1500 below book value that way. (Booked for $4500, paid $3000, and in almost new condition, 2007 with 5500 miles)
 
It's called business. You always try to sell for as much as you can and you want to buy for as less as possible. Eventually nobody buys those items for less and as long as you make the best offer, they will sell it to you.
 
jmacc702 said:
On the flipside.. sometimes you feel like youre robbing somebody with the deals you can get on craigslist
Click to expand...

You have to watch CL for a few weeks to find a good deal. I've seen some incredible deals and some ripoffs. I actually just bought a complete established 29 gal setup for $150 (tank, stand, skimmer, powerheads, test kits, light, food, 3 extra tanks and countless extra stuff a reefer accumulates after 8 years). I really did feel kinda bad only giving him that much. Then a few days later I see a similar setup for $750. You just gotta be patient.
 
It works both ways grasshopper.

There are people who ask too much.

Then there is people who low ball way low for decent fair prices.

You will find a happy medium then the deal will be good.
 
Truth is, a business CANNOT sell below cost or they will soon go out of business, so they have a limited ability to haggle.

A Private individual usually just wants it out of the front room. So I suppose if it sits there long enough they'd take $1 if they REALLY want it gone.

The best thing to do is show up with buckets, and towels, and the CASH amount you are willing to pay for the system if it's good. Then Flash the cash and if they see you're serious about taking the item and not just there to kick the tires, then they'll bite.

I just can't stand when people post how much THEY paid for stuff, as if that's going to sway my decision on how much I'M willing to pay. e.g. "Selling my entire system for $1500 firm! Way over $5000 invested." Always makes me chuckle.

Plus anytime they say firm I laugh and wait a week or so and watch the price drop way down until they get a couple of bites.

Wait it out, you'll find some deals.

Aaron
 
I used to get annoyed by that as well, and RC for sale forum is no exception.

But there's no point in getting stressed out on something out of your control so I just ignore them now. Anyone can ask for any price they choose, too bad if you don't like it but nobody is forcing you or anyone to buy it at that price, just as you cannot enforce sellers to list at a price you think is fair and reasonable to you.
 
Here's the other side of that...

I list everything I want to sell on Craigslist for twice what I actually want on it because you'll always get 30 calls 5 minutes after you post something and people offer you half of what you listed it for.
 
kinda like online stores petmountain was having a 50% off all danner mag drive pumps sale. So I clicked on it and they had the orginal price for the 9.5 at $189 and they were on sale for $90 which is thier normal price. I fined alot of online vendors do this to. As for craiglist never used it lol.
 
lol,i love seeing overpriced aquariums on craigsist, they get reposted every week and people still don't get the hint.
 
you just got to be patient and a deal will pop up. Or that guy that is selling the tank you want, just tell him that you are interested but don't want to pay that high of a price. wait a few weeks and normally they will email you back and say are you still interested and you name your price and they take it or leave it. I talked a guy down 450 bucks on a tank last week.
 
You'll see this **** everywhere. On the other hand I couldn't believe the prices some people were offering me for VERY LE corals when I took a break from the tank. It blew my mind and at times was frankly insulting. I mean these are the same people I have given stuff to for free that are now telling me I am asking to much and that this is what is wrong in the hobby. LOL I was only asking 50-60% of what you would pay from any retailer...and I had lineage.

So it goes both ways...part of the game.
 
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