Another Craigslist Question

Take M. and hubby, and the kids and go see the piano. If you want and have room in the car, take a friend to sit in the car with the kids so they wont get in the way. I am not afraid of dealing with strangers from Craigslist, but I listen to the voice on the phone. I chat a bit and see how they act. I then make my decisions how, when, were to meet. Only once did I have a mans voice and felt better to have my neighbor come over and stand in the doorway as I gave the item to him and he paid. I also, will know when they are going to show up, and go outside with the item, and keys to my locked front door and the phone in my pocket. Weve had strangers come inside to see bigger items, and if I had been at all worried, I would have done the meeting when my husband was home, or had a neighbor come over for a minute just to make it less appealing to a thief or attacker. But in general, Im not worried about it and have bought sold and given away a lot of things on Craigs.

I'm a retired police officer and I agree with the posts that say take your mom and go.

What the others have said really, let hubs know the address. You'll be fine.

If you are not comfortable - then tell people exactly where you are going and what time.

I know many things have been totally blown out of proportion. There are bad people everywhere. I get it. But use common sense.

If you feel the need to bring someone - then bring someone like your mom who knows pianos and go from there. If you already know you want it - then you will have to schedule a crew to come pick it up as well. So how are you going to work it? Go look, pay for it and then pick it up another day? Do you have a crew you can call to get it?

As long as you have someone with you, I wouldn't be worried about it. When we bought my treadmill my husband and I went to her house to pick it up. I felt bad for the woman because she was alone in her home and her are hubby and I coming in to get this treadmill.

Like I said, as long as you aren't alone, your hubby knows where you are and you get a good vibe from the lady, then I wouldn't be too worried.

I've bought and sold things on CL for years and I use my "gut" instinct. If you've talked to this woman and you feel comfortable then you'll likely be fine. I would still err on the side of caution and take my mom with me and leave my husband an address. A piano isn't exactly a good target situation for a rapist or murderer. However, if you get to the location and it doesn't feel right then ditch the idea. You never know. If I showed up and a man greeted me at the door all warm and fuzzy an apologized that his wife was not at home that would be a "red flag" and I would probably make arrangements to come back at another time or ditch the seller all together.

Don't walk into a situation when even a tiny voice inside your head tells you something isn't quite right. Better safe than sorry.

I have sold a TON of furniture on CL and I do some of the tricks mentioned by other posters. I tell them "we're moving out in a few days" so as to decrease the likely hood of someone thinking I am there alone there in the future. I also don't mention that I'm a SAHM, who is there alone most days. I tend to tell them a made up story like "my brother stays with us and he's home alot, etc" to give them the feel that there is a lot of activity at home besides me and give the impression that I'm not in a vulnerable position. I also base visitations to my home on my comfort level. If we are selling a couch or something a man might call for I always make sure my hubby is home when the male comes by our house.

Just use common sense and be cautious. There are some great deals on CL and you can help keep some useable items out of the dump!

Listen to your gut? I'd go with my mom, yeah. I'd do that so that I could have her give a once over....but that would be because I don't know much about pianos! I've had ladies come to my home a couple times when things were too big to load up in my car (train table and a toybox).
Generally, I meet someone at McDonalds so that if they're late my kids are playing in the playland and happy, and I'm reading. But if it's something like a piano, I'd just go see it. A couple times, I went to peoples' homes and I feel like you just need to trust your own instinct if you have that ability. If not, then go with your mom or a friend.
I think it's just good as a general rule to meet up in public, but sometimes, it's just not feasible. Twice I bought something from a man who wasn't able to meet in public, but I just sat in the driveway in the daytime and he opened the garage and brought the items (double stroller, bumbo seat, vibrating infant chair) to me. Most people are good people. I agree that it is good to be safe (I am!) but you don't have to live in fear of everyone all the time, and you don't have to treat people "weird" because of stories you've heard. I'm jealous that you're getting a piano. :)

Hi there! Your husband's opinion IS jaded from working at the sheriff's office, but it's to keep you safe. My husband is also a sheriff's deputy & takes exactly the same stance on stuff like this.

I would say that as long as you don't go totally alone, you're about a million times better off. I would just take your mom with you & give the address to your husband. I'm sure the people selling the piano are at LEAST as nervous about you coming to their home as you are going there!

I don't think one individual selling one piano falls into the 'highly suspicious' category. This is not an easily transportable instrument.

Unless, of course, they are asking you to meet them in an abandoned wherehouse, during non-business hours, and come alone....then you should find another piano for sale.

Just use common sense, provide the address to your husband, take your mom who knows pianos, and take a camera to you can take pictures to show your husband before you close the deal.

GL!

My vote is for your husband and you to let your Mom watch the kids. Craigslist can be legit and it can be scary. Caution is the watchword.

Can't you take your DH, and have your mom stay at home with kids? That's what I would do.

Ask your mom the questions in advance that you will need to know about the piano. Have her watch the boys and definitely go with your husband. If you are truly that fearful perhaps this isn't an option for you to purchase the piano. If you were here in New Jersey my church has several piano's that aren't in use and old but just need some minor fixing and/or tuning that could be a perfect fit.

You may want to call around to some local churches perhaps they may have a piano they would be willing to part with.

Again go with your husband.

Tell the seller you and your husband will be coming to look at the piano and then bring your mom with you and tell them your husband couldn't come last minute.

My vote is for your husband and you to let your Mom watch the kids. Craigslist can be legit and it can be scary. Caution is the watchword.