buying used from craigslist

[papayamon]

for me, being frugal means trying to find it used. i've found craigslist to be a great help. for example, i bought a stackable washer/dryer for $250 that was 3 months old... the same model retails in lowe's for $850, and mine is in perfect shape. i got a riding lawn mower for $500, it had been used only a couple of times, and it's a $1300 mower. i've bought several other things off this and i've never got less than a great deal. of course, you've got to wade through the junk on there.

you've got to have patience, but if you're looking for appliances/furniture, there's no better place to find incredible bargains :).

[LabileLotus]

Oh yea! Our washer and dryer cost us $200 *FOR BOTH*. Plus the $10 we had to pay to get some kind of tubing and tape to hook up the dryer duct. 4 years later, still working like a dream despite them being like 6-7 years old before we got them. that makes them 10-11 years old!

[papayamon]

i'm wanting to get stainless steel appliances. the appliance stores are pumping them out now, so i figure to wait another year or two and then i'll have a high end kitchen for a great price. in the meantime, i'll looking for real wood bookcases. basically, i've furnished my whole house with very nice stuff from craigslist :).

[fadeaway1289]

Craigslist is a pretty great place (as well as freecycle). Almost everything I have is used. I have had some bad experiences though with craigslist and gotten screwed over by con artists but I've just learned to really be cautious of certain people.

[animallover7249]

Craigslist is pretty great. I've bought and sold some stuff on there. There's a lot of spam, and a lot of people giving away pets for free and not caring who gets them, though. :(

[Nickle00]

I love me some Craigslist. Freecycle too!! In fact, I'm going to pick up a new (to me) bike today after work!!

[papayamon]

when you buy something like a bike (got a great $300 bike for $100) even if it's not new, in a few months, there's no difference between the one from the store and the one you got used. if i'd bought my mower new and paid the 1300 plus tax, it wouldn't look or work any different than it does now. the only difference at this point is the 800-900 dollars i've still got in my bank.

i never buy any major purchase new. never, since i've learned how to buy through craigslist.

tommorrow, i'm looking at a stainless steel refridgerator for $250. it's 3 years old, seems immaculate. if i don't get very good vibes (for example, why is this guy selling it?)... i don't buy. if it's too good to be true, i don't buy. if their story isn't convincing, i don't buy. if they didn't buy it new themselves, i don't buy.

i've found that many people make impulsive purchases and can't do anything with what they bought after a while. those are the deals i want from craigslist. those people are recovering some cash, and i'm getting something i want for a third of what i'd spend if i bought new. that's my rule for value: 1/3 of the price of new :).

i'm also looking for about a 2006 or so jeep wrangler :). i won't get that for a third, but i can get a great deal on some yuppie's pampered baby!

[animallover7249]

I got a bike on craigslist last year for $15. It's only a cheap store brand mountain bike, but it was only ridden a few times and is $250 new. I didnt really need something amazing, so this bike was perfect for me.

[DMZdogs]

I got a RAINBOW vacuum for only $50 off craigslist. A Rainbow!!! They're well over $1,000 new. They're also the best vacuum ever. :D :D

[jenni-anti-fur]

awesome deals guys...I have never used craigslist but may check it out:)

[animallover7249]

I just sold my guitar on craigslist a few days ago! :nana:

[mantismom]

We bought an above ground pool on Craigslist, we paid $800. The pool retails for $4,500. It is about 5 years old but it's in perfect condition. We did have a bad experience with a poster on Craigslist, you just have to be cautious.

[rainforests1]

I've never used it either. Can you also buy stuff like books and other entertainment on it as well?

[animallover7249]

I've never used it either. Can you also buy stuff like books and other entertainment on it as well?

if people are selling it. there's a section for it, yes.

craigslist.org check it out for yourself to see what all is there.

[LabileLotus]

I've never used it either. Can you also buy stuff like books and other entertainment on it as well?

You can buy and sell just about anything lol.
I'm about to be moving and wasn't going to be able to plant my garden so I posted a barter. I would give someone all of my gardening supplies (seeds, my hoe, soil, tomato cages, trellis, etc) if they would just share the harvest with me. Had someone take me up on the deal and yesterday they brought me over a couple of tomatoes :)

[rainforests1]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like it's similar to EBay. I'll have to check it out within the next week.

[animallover7249]

it's not similar to ebay, really. you can list anything like ebay but the buying process is very different. You dont order online like with ebay, and it's only local listings. you email them, and then buy it in person.

[Dogma]

Craigslist is pretty great. I've bought and sold some stuff on there. There's a lot of spam, and a lot of people giving away pets for free and not caring who gets them, though. :(

Giving away PETS?

That's AWFUL.

[animallover7249]

Yeah, and tons of pet list them under the 'free' stuff section, not under pets. Which makes it even worse.

[Earthling]

My friend got her dog free from Craigslist. It's better than people dumping them in the street, but they should have some kind of screening process to check who the animal is going to... illegal dog fighting is rampant, and those people would love some free fighting dogs.