Best practices for buying used electronics on craigslist (2024)

I've bought and sold quite a few used items on craigslist, most of which are "simple" mechanical items, so that the buyer (whether me or someone else) has a chance to check things out. I've also bought numerous used electronics, but those were all small enough to be shipped and came with buyer protection. For the one electronic item I sold (a tennis ball launcher), I brought a few tennis balls and demonstrated that the machine was still operational.

Say for electronic appliances, are there best practices for ensuring that I'm not buying a dud? Items like portable AC is easier to test on the spot, but for others (e.g. dehumidifiers or a minifridge), I get the sense that there's not enough time to try out anything before I need to decide. For items I can't fully test, would it be better to just buy new?

Depends on how much risk you want to take. I sell a ton online with CL and FB Marketplace and personally test them all before selling.

Most people are honest, but it only takes a couple of sellers out there trying to scam people.

I have zero issues buying, either. You can almost test anything.

It's a lot like stocks, isn't it? There is a natural discount built into any item without a warranty - not because it's junk, but because we assume we're being scammed. I bought an unopened projector that I couldn't really test beyond turning it on in a bad warehouse. But, it was $3k new and I paid $1600 for it in a sealed box. I understood there was a chance I'd be out $1600. I also bought from an auction site, so I assume some minimal level of integrity.

So that's really the takeaway - are you getting a discount that is deep enough to justify a complete loss? I'm trying to think of something you can't test - like a dishwasher or washing machine or refrigerator. At the end of the day, it really comes down to the discount. I've sold all 3 of those things, but at a deep discount. I've bought a used fridge and washing machine. If you buy a washing machine mostly untested, I would have trouble paying more than $100-$200 since you can buy it a new one for $400 or so that will work fine. I think most people are honest, and if you're picking something like that up at their home - you can negotiate some type of implied warranty. After all, you know where they live, and they don't know where you live.

You can test almost anything if picking up locally. Bring a bottle of water/dishrag and turn on the fridge/washing machine and come back in 2 hours to see what happened.

sureshoe wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 10:23 pmyou can negotiate some type of implied warranty. After all, you know where they live, and they don't know where you live.

Picturing a sopranos character saying this part.

InvisibleAerobar wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 9:07 pmbut for others (e.g. dehumidifiers or a minifridge)

Unless you can get them dirt cheap, like $20, then neither of these are likely worth buying used. At least the dehumidifiers I have had only last about 5 to 7 years so they may not have a lot of life left on it even if it is working. You can a minifridge for less than $100 new.

As another poster said you can usually get a good feel about a seller to see if they are worth taking a $20 bet on. If you lose it is not a huge deal.

As prescreening, ask seller the record video of the key functionality. Its 2022 and everyone has a smartphone, its trivial enough to do this for someone who cares to make a sale.

I also wonder why craigslist doesnt implement an account system. Could be something as simple as phone # based. Our national classified uses one and its so easy to register its not a hurdle to getting user base. The history/rating provides transaction confidence.

Thanks for the responses.

The point about natural discount is well-taken, and that's pretty much along how I thought about this. Namely, how much am I willing to risk on a dud, so that I can still have a bit left over to purchase another item new.

And I appreciate the item-specific advice re: dehumidifiers, as I have forgotten that they may have such service life that doesn't exceed ten years. I've used portable ACs with 10+ yrs of service, printers with 8+ yrs of service, etc, and I thought one could expect a decade of warm weather service from dehumidifiers. Certainly doesn't make sense to purchase one used in view of that.

Also, I actually do quite a bit of videotaping as suggested above for the electronic stuff that I sell. Most buyers don't actually expect/ require proof (especially when they have paypal protection), but I assume it gives them a bit of assurance.

The few dehumidifiers I've looked at had digital displays, but the sellers didn't even bother to show that the LCD display works. Oh well.

Thanks again for the response