1. First, C/L is the wild, wild, west. Totally uncontrolled, and free. Just as many flaky sellers as buyers. I emailed a seller outside of Atlanta several times. Got a response three weeks later (His response: "I've been busy, just getting back to replies now"), and I completed the deal. Realize that most sellers just want to get rid of something, and want zero hassles, have other things to do, or whatever.

2. On free items, just post a curb alert, rather than handle individual requests. A curb alert has always worked for me, and do people a favor and pull the ad down when the item is gone. Most of the time on free stuff, I don't bother with C/L, I just put it on the curb with a free sign. Usually stuff is gone within an hour.

3. Sold an accordion a couple of weeks ago that my wife picked up at a garage sale. Took a while, but finally someone drove two hours to get it. Musician potential buyers were no better or worse than the bicycle folks I have dealt with.

4. I always keep my responses to ebay sellers brief, like: "Here is my phone number, I am available to come by now." I don't ask for additional details, or pricing flexibility, or anything else. A lot of sellers are lazy, and they want the easiest deal possible. While other potential buyers are trying to get better pictures, sizing information, year, model, component information, or whatever, I am out there picking up the bike.


Personally, I prefer the flaky sellers as I figure that seller is treating all potential buyers equally poorly, so it eliminates the competition.