Haha, so *that's* what Craigslist is (at least partially) about!1

[UTUSN]

So I'd barely ever looked at Craigslist at all, then recently posted a for-sale item, with pic!1 It was a push lawnmower, of the green brand. Long story, but I had dedicated a significant part of the past 20 years in a war on infestation of a particular type of long-stemmed weed that has the seeds in a spoke at the top. And I'm talking literal garden weed, *not* Hippie weed. (Does anybody say "hippie" any more?!1) For a few years I cast about for ways to harvest and gather the weeds with the seed-heads intact so as not to *plant* more weeds. A couple of years I *hoed* every single plant, but eventually they grew back again. Then I looked for ways to mow down the intact stems, thought about some kind of scissors-on-a-long-handle, eventually face-palming that that's what a WEEDEATER was for. Then raking, although plenty of loose seeds fell off for insidious planting.

But then I figured that the side-discharge mower I had always used was part of the problem and a mower with a BAG (in the back-discharge) was the answer. So that was this green mower. But the bag filled up fast, was heavy, was dusty, and I gave up the bag and closed the trap door on the discharge, which led to clogging underneath. And I went back to the side-discharge and the green mower sat in storage for 2-3 years.

So finally a get-rid-of-stuff episode hit me and hence the Craigslist. Now, I've donated stuff to Habitat often enough, and decided to sell this thing for a change. I didn't expect to cash in with this transaction. There was only one mower posted when I started and it was priced at $85. Now the green mower cost $260 new and posted it for $120, expecting to accept just about anything offered, 85-75-50.

So two weeks later, no calls and wasn't even remembering the post. Then came this text: "20 for your green mower." I was hilariously stunned, not knowing whether this was a joke or an outright insult. I replied, "Haha, thanks for the bid. I'll donate it to Habitat instead."

So another week, this morning a call. (I had named myself "Charlie.&quot He: "Is this Charlie?" Off guard I had to think to remember until I remembered the posting, "Yes." He: "How much for the bag?" I was stunned. (I'm stunned a LOT, it appears.) "What?!1" He: "How much for the bag?" I said, "A bag of WHAT?!1" He: "Spice." I said, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!1"

So, when did whatever-"it"-is start being called "spice"?!1

So apparently venues for advertising are scoured for code language for various things. I'm so out of it that my first thought was to call the police. Then to find a way through the morass of that website to complain somehow, or to delete the ad. Actually, all my options are foolish, including selling that green mower.

[frogmarch]

1. spice is synthetic marijuana

I know because I Googled it!

http://spiceaddictionsupport.org/what-is-spice/

How the guy got the idea you were selling it is beyond me, but I live a sheltered life. Kinda glad I do.

[UTUSN]

2. "guy got the idea" - key word "bag"? (for the "old" kind, at least). & um, I am *not* selling "it".

Last edited Sat Apr 23, 2016, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)

But why would they use a term for illicit-anything in a call to a total stranger? Besides, paranoid-me now entertains the idea that an enterprising Undercover might also be scouring venues for code language.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

3. True and you may have been talking to one

[Ahpook]

4. I'm betting that's exactly who is responding

It was the $120 price, etc

Keep your ad up, though. I sell/trade quite a bit of music gear on there and never had an issue.

My idea is to feel them out over the course of quite a few e-mails. Ask pointed questions while gathering a sense about the person through their language. If you feel comfortable exchange phone numbers or even home address to complete the transaction. I usually don't offer my address, though. Meet in a busy area, or at your local police station. My local police encourage this for Craigslist transactions.

I've turned down plenty of potential deals through that process.

Good luck !

[UTUSN]

5. Wow, thanks!1 But my phone # is the only contact method in the ad ---- scary!1

So the price was suspiciously high? I had no idea what to price it at and thought that dropping to HALF PRICE for starters was a giant concession . Actually this seems like a loser project, machines appear to be plentifully cheap. By the underwhelming response of two calls in three weeks, might as well just let it be terminated itself in the (45?) days, sort of like my threads sink in GD!1

[sorefeet]

6. I buy and sell on craigs list

I do it to supplement my fixed income. But you should take precautions and never give away a free animal. Sickos look for that.

[UTUSN]

7. "a free animal"? What's the connotation they put on that? n/t

[cloudbase]

9. People will take a free kitten or puppy

and use it to train fighting dogs.

[femmocrat]

8. I pulled out a bucketload of those pesky weeds today.

As soon as you touch it, it sprays teeny seeds all over! I put down Preen.... hope that stops the little buggers from sprouting!