Yes... Gmail sync'ed to my Android tablet and smartphone, both usually on wifi when I'm at home or at work. Most times there isn't a problem, but there have been a few instances where an email I know I sent never arrived, and wasn't anywhere in my history (sent, drafts, outbound queue, etc.) Neither I nor my geeks (one of whom is a 'droid savant) have been able to figure out why.

It doesn't help that the technology gods and I don't get along.

I sell quite a bit on CL, Usually all contact by email, its how I want it. I ignore the "Is your item still for sale" emails" the buyers who seem high maintainance, asking a lot of me as a seller (meeting, shipping, excessive questions that are answered in ad) pushy buyers (call me, take $XXX its a good deal, only half of what you are asking), these get pushed to the back and rarely answered. Emails of some of my easiest sales have been fished from the spam bin.
I believe in a want ad etiqutte that many people dont have. A brief outline of it is,

First contact introduces and expresses interest and asks a couple of questions about the item that can not be answered by reading the ad, even a remeasure of frame as its often done so badly and maybe possible meet times.

Followed by seller answering said questions and choosing or offer possible meet times.

Second buyer email confirms interest and meet.

Seller email gives address of meet and phone # for last minute changes.

Meet, deal done or not. If not I often ask what exactly they are looking for as I do get bikes in frequently and call or email them if I get it or show another bike.

The big no nos to me are the throwing out an offer in the first email sight unseen, unreasonable requests such as meet me halfway (thats mine to offer)
don't flake on meetings or if you do give notice as soon as possible.

Typing this I'm suprised I sell anything but it work for me

to me the answer would be "no" since it sounds like your email is going through your email client on your phone :-p

log in to the web page and send the email.. then you can be more sure it actually sent

+1 cut and paste the e-mail address, this ensures it goes out. CL is not the best market place but I've not had the problems you've described. Also, drop the "can come by some evening" .... in my area, that sounds like "I'll stop by at night to mug you at your earliest convenience"

Good like finding your next Grail Bike!

I usually list in the Seattle CL because I'm often there (I live 2 hrs away). I've gone the other way and list my work number and do not use email. Had too many flakey buyers never follow through. My logic was if they were really serious they'd call me. It's worked prettty good so far.

I really try not to use the phone, I have a fresh off the boat Northern England accent, mix that with fresh off the boat spanish or portugese accent or even dealing with a never left the county American and things get confusing with more repitition and "Huh?" than my patience can stand. Its easier to understand the accent face to face than with any phone distorsion muddying the water on top of it.

On the other side, I don't want a potentially nutty CL seller or buyer to have my phone number. I have only once called a seller and that's because I REALLY wanted the thing he was selling. I have passed up many things because of this. When I sell things, I ignore buyer emails that say "Hey, call me." No. We will email first, and if I determine you're not a nut, and we set a time for you to come see the item, THEN we will exchange phone numbers.

My relatively good record of success on the Lafayette Indiana CL. (Smaller city and home of Purdue University)

(1) I put in the subject line of the email; "Legitimate local inquiry about your xxxx xxxxx"

(2) In the message I tell them my first name, my town and my daytime phone and the hours that I can be reached at the number.

(3) I also ask them that if it is still for sale, to please reply with their contact information and when is the best time to reach them and when I can come and look at it. And that I am flexible with hours and can come at their convenience within reason.

I think the polite and well written message goes a long way to legitimize my inquiry.

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When I'm selling, I tell in the ad that the moment it sells, I will take down the ad. If you are looking at this ad, it is still for sale. I put my phone number and say I'm legit and expect the same. A scam email will be ignored etc..

I find the typical turn off messages to be;

still for sale? what's your bottom dollar? can you bring it to me?

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As per gmail addresses, generally speaking, I don't trust an inquiry from any gmail or yahoo type address as my perspective is that gmail has the largest percentage of scammers. Especially if the address is one of those convoluted types.
i.e. 147johnlb21788@gmail

emails from actual .com based sources are the ones that go to the front of my possibly legit list.

just sayin'

The original post is not at all funny, but many of the responses are. Lots of fun.

And some of the posts are very informative and helpful.

lostarchitect, I've never had anyone abuse my phone number. Do I lead a charmed life? Still, I can make temporary phone numbers for you if you like, being the VOIP geek I am. Set up the number, make the transaction, close the phone number. Done.

I understand that, but I like the relative anonymity until after a couple of emails.

The last time I listed a number, I got two weeks of calls from the local prison asking if I'll take the call and then have their daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend/babymomma call them.....