Posted on 05/03/2015 9:55:49 AM PDT by upchuck
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Some South Carolina law enforcement agencies are offering their parking lots as a safe place to finalize deals made on Craigslist and other online marketplaces.
Officers say they won't get involved in the deals. But officials hope that, by doing the transactions at a police station or sheriff's department, people will be less likely to cut a shady deal — or get violent.
At least two people have been killed in South Carolina when online transactions went wrong.
(Excerpt) Read more at bigstory.ap.org ...
What does this do that eBay doesn’t?
Just asking.
Makes sense if they have the space to do so.
Police departments in the KC area do the same thing.
This is a good idea.
With Craigslist you’re usually dealing locally with cash transactions.......
South Carolina PingKeep up with what our Congresscritters (House and Senate) are doing. Sign up for the free MegaVote email service here.
Ping PS - Did you know SC is on the list of 25 states suing nobama over his amensty order? Read more here.
OT and BTY - I recently received a FReepmail thanking me for my MONTHLY donation to FR. How about you?
/johnny
local
cash
I usually sell my items the same day they’re posted
no shipping
no fees
Can't use ebay if you're selling something that can't easily be shipped.
How about “local pickup only” on eBay?
I forgot about that option. That would work for big/bulky items.
I've been very lucky with Craigslist over the years, having bought and sold with honest people. People have come and handed hundreds of dollars in cash to me at my home. Others invited me in when I purchased items and handed over cash. Lately with all the stories of bad things happening, my wife has stopped us doing transactions at homes, so we arrange them at busy parking lots. Police station parking lots are a great idea.
Tell me about it, I would to acquire one or two 1940’s floor model radio/phonographs made by Zenith or Philco.
When I find one on eBay in excellent condition, everything works, from grandmother’s estate at a bargain price, it specifies local pickup only, usually in Anchorage or somewhere way out West.
A 6,000+ mile round trip in my old minivan sorta puts a damper on it.
;^)
I've gotten a number of bogus inquiries but they're pretty easy to spot due to the extremely poor grammar used and anytime someone provides me with an email address to respond to rather than thru the Craigslist listing, I ignore it.
I googled one such email and it turns out the guy has burned a couple of people on Craigslist with bogus cashiers checks.......
This is a great idea!
It’s one of those ideas that seems obvious....but only after some brilliant person has thought of it.
Just a few days ago, I read about some sort of transaction center opening in the Nashville area - the premise is basically the same, a place to exchange goods for payment that provides some deterrent to criminals.
Last year a young man was killed by two thugs wanting to buy his truck. They shot him and stole the vehicle. This happened in Charleston.
I say you have to be crazy dealing on Craigslist with who knows who you are meeting up with. It’s just too dangerous.
I use my credit union. they let me meet the buyer in the lobby, use the parking lot if need be and they have helped with transfer of titles.
That’s another good idea. Thanks.
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