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I had largely decided to postpone my search for a project TR4, when I looked at Craigslist and discovered a candidate locally--'67 TR4A, as I preferred, not bad looking but with some obvious body rust, and, according to the seller, some frame rust. Not driveable, as the brakes were not functioning, but with a reportedly working engine. Priced at $6K, "firm." Here is the listing:
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5485937523.html
The frame rust is a bit of a worry for me, but, what the heck, I decided to drive down to The OC and see it. I contacted the guy, and we made arrangements, although he wouldn't give me his name or address until I called him when I was ready to leave. Strange, but OK. A day later, I received an email from him stating that, oh dear, he had entered the price wrong and now it was $8K. I replied, more politely than he deserved, that the price was on the high side at $6K and that $8K was a show-stopper. So, that was that.
I guess the guy thought I was born yesterday, and couldn't figure out that he raised the price on seeing some interest in the car. I see this all the time--listings start at one price, then, suddenly the price increases. This happens even if the car sits on Craigslist a long time and doesn't sell. You'd think that people would understand that if a car doesn't sell at, say, $10K, it's not going to sell any better at $12K--but they often seem not to understand this elementary point.
I have had many similar experiences with Craigslist flakes when I look for other things--I call about an item and no one answers after repeated tries, I go to see something and the seller isn't home, prices change mysteriously, and so on. What is it about CR that attracts these people? At this point, I'm ready to stop using Craigslist completely. It's just not worth the frustration.
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5485937523.html
The frame rust is a bit of a worry for me, but, what the heck, I decided to drive down to The OC and see it. I contacted the guy, and we made arrangements, although he wouldn't give me his name or address until I called him when I was ready to leave. Strange, but OK. A day later, I received an email from him stating that, oh dear, he had entered the price wrong and now it was $8K. I replied, more politely than he deserved, that the price was on the high side at $6K and that $8K was a show-stopper. So, that was that.
I guess the guy thought I was born yesterday, and couldn't figure out that he raised the price on seeing some interest in the car. I see this all the time--listings start at one price, then, suddenly the price increases. This happens even if the car sits on Craigslist a long time and doesn't sell. You'd think that people would understand that if a car doesn't sell at, say, $10K, it's not going to sell any better at $12K--but they often seem not to understand this elementary point.
I have had many similar experiences with Craigslist flakes when I look for other things--I call about an item and no one answers after repeated tries, I go to see something and the seller isn't home, prices change mysteriously, and so on. What is it about CR that attracts these people? At this point, I'm ready to stop using Craigslist completely. It's just not worth the frustration.