A few days ago an ad popped up on the local CL for a Trek 400 series bike. The bike looked nice as far as I could tell from the poor photos, and the price was good - if the condition could be determined.

I went on about my business, but later decided to send the seller an email stating that his bike looked as if it had potential to sell for more than he was asking if he would only take better photos and list the components and frame size. A day later I got a reply from the seller stating that if I wanted better pix and specs I could Google the model and year (which he had not specified). He was not insulting in any way, but obviously pissed about being given advice.

My lesson is learned - don't give advice on CL.

Was I a jerk?

illegitimi non carborundum

I would not say you were a jerk. I found a CL add for a bike I thought was worth more than what was asked and emailed the seller. We got into a email discussion about what the bike was. I ended up looking at it and buying it at a at what I thought was a very reasonable price (lower than what he initially asked). He was happy as he still made decent profit.

Some people are just rude due to being arrogantly ignorant.

Even if you were a jerk... so what?

If you weren't looking to buy maybe they were upset about you wasting their time? The seller might not care about maximising profit and just wants the old bike out of the garage for a bit of beer money or something?

Well, it's CL where I take nothing seriously and expect all sorts of strange communications, no shows, freaks and general weirdness. The fact seller responsed so pissily suggests he/she probably has not sold much there.

unsolicited advice can rub some people the wrong way. Its not as bad as those who actually are asking for advice, and then get pissy when they get advice that does not suit them. Or take some advice as insulting or not having taken as perfect attention to their needs as they want.

Even if they aren't getting pissy with me, i sort of write them off and don't bother with them again.

Laugh it off.

Last year, I happened across a CL post of a girls Trek bike. Whatever the model it looked only in fair condition, rusty chain, junk saddle but a reasonable price. Thought I'd pick it up for one of the granddaughters, I replied with just my first name and location for the weekend only.

Seller replied with some nutty rudeness, further stating he would never sell me a bike again.... on and on. I was puzzled but think this guy was a delusional idiot and confused with someone else.

I forget exactly my reply but did state he has me confused with some other fellow (a bike flipper??) but further told him was a jerk for neglecting service of the bike and I now wouldn't buy it at any price.

My advice, don't look for Treks on C.L.
LOL

It's an exercise in futility.
I once asked a craigslist seller if he knew the price he was asking for a 16 year old low end giant road bike was a bit high, more accurately $50 over the original msrp. He asked me in impolite language if I had ever heard of inflation. That was two years ago, the bike is still for sale.

Craigslist is simply an open book to everyone in society who feels like selling something. There are going to be characters of every sort imaginable, from reasonable and helpful through bellligerent and bat**** crazy. You've either got to either take the good with the bad or not touch craigslist at all. For myself, I find it a reasonable though not particularly reliable tool.

I had a similar experience last year. Emailed the seller on craigs that I am interested in his bike but the price was way too high and politely showed him why (provided links to recent eBay sales for similar bikes, in better condition that sold for half his asking price which was marked as firm). His response was "don't you have anything better to do than bothering people on the net?" Well that bike sat for many months, and he kept lowering the price. Eventually he brought the price down to normal levels but it was six months later, and still no sale. He had the nerve to contact me after all this time if I was interested. My response was yes and I offered him an even lower price (I really didn't want another bike at the time) but never heard back. I last saw his ad a few months ago almost a year later! Bottom line, not all sellers are savvy!

That response makes me think he thought you just wanted the photos for yourself and weren't actually giving him advice on how to get more money from his sale.

A couple more years and maybe inflation will catch up to him.

You must be referring to this guy's Giant Kronos: the Minneapolis CL turd that won't flush.

[h=2]Giant Kronos Touring Road Bike/STI/Gatorskins - $599 (Bloomington)[/h]Giant Kronos Touring Road Bike/STI/Gatorskins


I've informed people that their fork was installed backwards and they've actually been cordial.

Right you are. Going on craigslist and not seeing every single one of that guys bikes there just as they have been for the last few years would be like a day without a sunrise.

Not sure what that guy is doing, but you can't be a flipper if you never sell a bike.

I e-mailed a seller several weeks ago that was selling an older road bike for a relative. Ad said they really liked the bike and hated to sell but they were getting older and wanted a more upright riding position and wanted to get a Hybrid to replace it. It had stem shifters so I recommended they just swap out the stem, bars, brake levers and saddle and keep the bike. Didn't get a reply but the ad was gone less than an hour after I sent the e-mail.

I'm still laughing.

Did you make an offer?
Were you interested in buying it or just bothering the seller?

Then again, that's what makes it fun, the myriad of folks who respond to CL ads.

When I see some craigslist adverts and see a price that is truly out of whack to the market, I just keep scrolling. The chance the seller might listen to reason is very small, not worth my effort. Often those bikes or parts do languish for a long long time, with rarely a price drop, if there is a reprice, it is a 10% reduction at most.

Here is the worst thing about CL. The ad states all kinds of things about the bike. For example, the bar tape is torn on one side, the chain has a bit of rust, the tires need air, and on and on about all kinds of superfluous stuff. When you ask the seller what size the frame is, they haven't a clue. Ask what group is on it and they will have to look.

It's just crazy.

Bingo! You've nailed it. I've offered what I think it's worth via email. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. I never let the jerks get to me.

I would never tell someone their price was too high, much less point it out with links or explanations. People can ask whatever they want for an item, even if it's stupidly high and will never sell. It's their perogative. I just keep looking.

Unsolicited advice is in my experience, rarely welcome. You have basically contacted an adult and told them what they are doing is wrong, it comes across as condescending and patronizing. Your intentions were good, your advice accurate but unsolicited it is generally not welcomed.

Like a bit of loose nylon thread that you burned down with a lighter, it needed to be done. I get it.

Thanks for the visual.