The downsides of using Craigslist

A few days ago, I picked up a practically brand new power cord for a dryer for 75 cents at a yard sale. Based upon its weight, I figured I could get 2-3 bucks for it at the scrap yard. However, I opted to list it on Craigslist for five bucks.

Fast forward about a week to this afternoon.... I've pretty much forgotten about the power cord. Around five o'clock, I receive a phone call from a number with a non-local area code. I didn't recognize the number, so I assumed that it was another telemarketer about to waste my time (I've been getting a lot of those lately). I answer the phone, and a woman who spoke relatively poor English asked "Is this the owner of (phone number) ###-###-####?" At this point, I'm pretty much convinced that this is a telemarketer, and with my infinite wisdom and tact, I ask "Who the HELL is this?" This stuns and somewhat pisses her off, and she repeats the same thing back to me. After a few moments of utter confusion between the both of us, she clarifies that she is calling about the dryer cord. Realizing my error, I profusely apologized to her and explained how I presumed she was a telemarketer. But it was too late. She, of course, stated that she was no longer interested in it and hung up on me.

LESSONS LEARNED:



1. Not everybody is a telemarketer.
2. If you don't recognize the number, allow the caller to leave a voice mail.

By the way, does anybody want to buy a dryer cord for five bucks????

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

"May I speak to the business owner?"

"they've just won the business of the year award with an all expenses paid trip for 4 to, uhmm, hello?..... helloe???

Originally Posted by Bear

"they've just won the business of the year award with an all expenses paid trip for 4 to, uhmm, hello?..... helloe???

hahahaha. yeah, that would be my luck. I generally let them finish their sales pitch before I say no, if I bother to answer any toll free number at all. I don't know why, it is just one of my many many many quirks.

I never put my number on CL, always dreaded the 3am phone call

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Put the phone on silent at bedtime.

but then there might as well not be a phone. I prefer to have it there for responsible calls (although I don't remember any at 3 am), it's just that too many CL users can not be counted on to be very responsible, hek I don't even post my email there

Junk still comes in, and it takes some real speculation to determine which are real, and which are just phishing. My last email from a CL ad, I didn't even answer, it had my title with merely a ? added, definitely not a valid inquiry. If I replied I am certain it would merely feed the phish

Ha...Y'all should do what Jerry did on one episode of Seinfeld when a telemarketer called. He answered and said "Well, I am kind of busy right now. Why don't you give me YOUR home number and I will call you later on tonight. What? You don't like calling people calling and bugging you at home?" and then just hung up.

Yeah - I've fed the phish once. I still get some interesting pictures in my spam folder...

As for the phone - I list my phone number, but I have it set to not ring for numbers not in my address book. If it's family or friends, it will ring though.

Originally Posted by waredu

Yeah - I've fed the phish once. I still get some interesting pictures in my spam folder...

As for the phone - I list my phone number, but I have it set to not ring for numbers not in my address book. If it's family or friends, it will ring though.

Put your phone on the no call list, yeah even the cell. I still get the odd telemarketer but just tell them I am on the no call list and they hang right up.

When telemarketers used to call the pizzaria i used to work at i would tell them the days specials and ask them thier address for delivery. they stopped calling soon after i started working there.