It's pathetic. For the most part, CL is 'supposed' to be a localized board. Even if the C&V enthusiast up in that region numbered a 1,000, thats still rather a small community.

I casually browse the listings but last year was baffled by one seller.... and apparently is a regular (flipper??) of bikes in Chicago. Anyhow, I wanted to get a bike for one the grand daughters, less then $50 Trek whatever. I found the near perfect bike up there as listed on CL. Acceptable for someone like me to service but this one needed lots plus rubber. From the pics looked totally clapped out- rusted bolts and chain, etc.. Still I wanted to get it. I promptly emailed the seller, mentioned its going to take me a bit longer drive but will leave immediately. (Approx. 3 hours but we also have a place more north and probably an hour from this particular seller.) Anyhow, thats still a hike for such a low value bike.

The seller promptly replied indeed he has it but slams the verbage of never would he sell me a bike! I was stunned but sort of laughed off the goofball. My reply was a good ridance, further thanked him for saving me the time from dealing with a rude bozo with some clapped out bike.

Later, I received a reply and apparently he confused me with another fellow (bike flipper??) having my first name and perhaps near our address up north. So now I notice some seller with my first name in or around the same territory wanting to buy upper end Italian, French, etc. road bikes. Whoever these people are, something must be up. Also, there's the CL option of searching a list using images. Some of these dealers / flippers have pics of toilets, turds, etc. with slams about other sellers.

I've had some fine bikes stolen so it sort of unnerves me with some of these flippers. Careful all.

(BTW: I did recently find a terrific girls Trek ATB at a Goodwill for $15. All happy :)