I was reminded today there is a reason I don't give stuff away on Craigslist

True about the perceived value thing.  I listed my couches on CL for a reasonable price and had tons of responses.  A couple days later after noone followed thru and showed up, I re-listed them for free and have not had a single bite.

Hit me up if you need a sofabed or loveseat, yo.

I deal with a LOT of stuff on C.L. ; buy and sell.  Trying to clear through parents/grandparent LOAD of stuff.  Most people are flakes.  I've had things bought and sold soo many times it becomes rediculous the efforts I go through to sell something for $20.  My simple rules:  no email, phone only.  CASH only and carry a bill checker pen!!!  Someone tried to pass a fake $100 one time and I busted his ass for it.  Meet in a public place if possible.  If the item if free, leave in in front of your neighbors yard or on the corner.  Set up an email account JUST for your craigslist stuff.  If I were selling more stuff than I am right now, I'd even go as far as to have a pre-paid cell phone.  If it's too good to be true, it is.  Always overprice... they'll just talk you down anyways.  215 & 420 is NOT the time they want to meet you at   

   Oh, and remember the double-tap.

I deal with a LOT of stuff on C.L. ; buy and sell.  Trying to clear through parents/grandparent LOAD of stuff.  Most people are flakes.  I've had things bought and sold soo many times it becomes rediculous the efforts I go through to sell something for $20.  My simple rules:  no email, phone only.  CASH only and carry a bill checker pen!!!  Someone tried to pass a fake $100 one time and I busted his ass for it.  Meet in a public place if possible.  If the item if free, leave in in front of your neighbors yard or on the corner.  Set up an email account JUST for your craigslist stuff.  If I were selling more stuff than I am right now, I'd even go as far as to have a pre-paid cell phone.  If it's too good to be true, it is.  Always overprice... they'll just talk you down anyways.  215 & 420 is NOT the time they want to meet you at   

   Oh, and remember the double-tap.

Hear hear! Great tips and feedback Bill!  I've had my share of experience with CL. One thing I learned never do business at your house! And agreed on overpricing, there are a ton of low ballers and scam artists! Bill, what's 215? 

Prop 215 allowing use for medical reasons   aka "the OTHER green card".

Felt pretty good to be helping someone out who apparent was in need. About an hour later I'm making a beer run and here's dude in the Safeway parking lot with a for sale sign on it. I pulled up and offered him $10. He said he was looking for $25. I had to laugh as I drove off.

In 2004 or so, I sold a hobie maui to a mother and her adult, baby-huey looking son.  kid was a real fat-ass, just big all around.  they gave me some song and dance about how they were going to use it this way and that blah blah blah.  I cut them a sweet deal at $190. 

Days later, i see it on CL for three bills!  f'ing flippers lol.

Nowadays, I don't give a chit.  money talks and b-s can run a marathon.

That sucks ....  At least wait a while before flipping it. 

I have sold one thing on craigslist and the deal went just fine,i have tried to sell a few other things and get e-mails  and they wont call , so i answer the e-mails with  directions where to meet for the purchase,most don't respond after that I'm sure they check the address on google and find out it it the local sheriff department Lil

I use a dedicated email as well. I sell a ton of our kids stuff so I feel pretty safe having them to the house. I do make sure I have a good bit of communication (in various forms) for some reason I feel I can asses if someone is an A hole that way. For really cheap items I have have told them. Its on the porch leave the money under the mat. If someone is going to rip me off for $5 for a kids toy then I hope for bad kharma. 

I just sold a motorcycle that I listed on CL, the buyer wanted to meet at a park, I told him to meet me at a gas station, I had a taser and pepper spray on me, my wife followed me in her car and she had a loaded .38
The buyer turned out to be a decent guy but kept bugging me to test ride the bike, I told him after I had the cash and he had the paperwork he could ride it all he wanted. 

I just sold a motorcycle that I listed on CL, the buyer wanted to meet at a park, I told him to meet me at a gas station, I had a taser and pepper spray on me, my wife followed me in her car and she had a loaded .38
The buyer turned out to be a decent guy but kept bugging me to test ride the bike, I told him after I had the cash and he had the paperwork he could ride it all he wanted.

dam...wife with a 38 hope you didnt make her mad on the way home