Not Sure How to Respond to This- Help Me Send an Email to a Craigslist Idiot

[UNC71-00]

I have a bike for sale poasted on Craigslist. Here's how the ad reads:

Beautiful Cannondale road bike with 2 forks. Rides like it was bought new yesterday- the only difference is that you won't have to spend $3600 buying it new. 54cm fits between 5'6" and 5'9"

Here is a review of this bike from when it first came out http://pedalmag.com/cannondale/

If you click on the review, it actually retailed for $5k- I just used the price I paid for it.


I got this email from some idiot yesterday:

Hey man,

I was really ready to inquire about your bike. I think it's a pretty cool ****in bike. But then I read that you're insinuating that this bike is worth somewhere close to $3,600?? LOL Come on man, let's be real here. This bike is probably about 16-17 years old; and while it was an excellent bike new, and likely is still quite good - a number like $3,600 is just delusional. The bike is probably worth $500-$600 at the very most, which is why you have it on there for a veryoptimistic $750 instead of these "thousands of dollars" you apparently think this thing is worth. I'm sorry man i'm not trying to be an ass, i've just worked in the industry a long time and your pricing is really far off. But like I said, super cool bike. I'd keep it if I were you, those things aren't super common.

Take care

How does one respond to such an email?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I just wouldn't respond. The dude's reading comprehension is a fail. Also would love to know what "industry" he means when he says he's worked in the industry for a long time.

 

[dadika13]

 

[UNC71-00]

I just wouldn't respond. The dude's reading comprehension is a fail. Also would love to know what "industry" he means when he says he's worked in the industry for a long time.

I just don't understand why he sent me the email? Is this his attempt to negotiate?

 

[tarheel0910]

I have a bike for sale poasted on Craigslist. Here's how the ad reads:

Beautiful Cannondale road bike with 2 forks. Rides like it was bought new yesterday- the only difference is that you won't have to spend $3600 buying it new. 54cm fits between 5'6" and 5'9"

Here is a review of this bike from when it first came out http://pedalmag.com/cannondale/

If you click on the review, it actually retailed for $5k- I just used the price I paid for it.


I got this email from some idiot yesterday:

Hey man,

I was really ready to inquire about your bike. I think it's a pretty cool ****in bike. But then I read that you're insinuating that this bike is worth somewhere close to $3,600?? LOL Come on man, let's be real here. This bike is probably about 16-17 years old; and while it was an excellent bike new, and likely is still quite good - a number like $3,600 is just delusional. The bike is probably worth $500-$600 at the very most, which is why you have it on there for a veryoptimistic $750 instead of these "thousands of dollars" you apparently think this thing is worth. I'm sorry man i'm not trying to be an ass, i've just worked in the industry a long time and your pricing is really far off. But like I said, super cool bike. I'd keep it if I were you, those things aren't super common.

Take care

How does one respond to such an email?

I think the standard OOTB response would work well, so just tell him to GFY.

 

[coolwaterunc]

How does one respond to such an email?

A simple GFY should suffice.

 

[coolwaterunc]

I think the standard OOTB response would work well, so just tell him to GFY.

#Timestamps

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I just don't understand why he sent me the email? Is this his attempt to negotiate?

I don't think so. I think he was just bored and looking to go off on somebody. He doesn't even understand (I guess?) that while you point out it was once worth $3600, you're only asking $750 for it. "...instead of these 'thousands of dollars' you apparently think this thing is worth..."

He comes across as a moron. He even says he thinks it's worth like maybe $600, which is not exactly a huge way from your $750. To me, it just reads like he saw your ad and felt the need to tell you your dumb.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I just don't understand why he sent me the email? Is this his attempt to negotiate?

Can't hurt to respond to him I guess, if you're willing to sell it for the $600 he signaled he would buy it for. If he won't actually buy it for that, you can move to the GFY response for wasting your time.

 

[UNC71-00]

So i responded to him with this- "I dont know how to respond to your email" and here is what I got back:

Sorry if my email was a bit all over the place. I just can't seem to rectify the fact that the bike you're *trying* to sell is NOWHERE near $3k in value - like not even close,man. I mean, surely you understand this bike is worth about $300 or 400$ tops, right? I want to believe that you're not trying to rip anyone off too badly, but i'm just confused as to why you would include such a preposterous price in your ad if you were trying to be a respectable seller. Seems like the right thing to do would be to sell a $300-400 bike for (ya know) what its actually worth, instead of quoting a price that is at best over-inflated - and more likely fraudulent and greasy as hell. You know that bike isn't worth very much at all. There are way too many ways to make an honest $ in this world buddy, you don't have to make poor attempts to defraud people to make a living. Plenty of ways to make money without scamming people; but to each their own

 

[coolwaterunc]

So i responded to him with this- "I dont know how to respond to your email" and here is what I got back:

Sorry if my email was a bit all over the place. I just can't seem to rectify the fact that the bike you're *trying* to sell is NOWHERE near $3k in value - like not even close,man. I mean, surely you understand this bike is worth about $300 or 400$ tops, right? I want to believe that you're not trying to rip anyone off too badly, but i'm just confused as to why you would include such a preposterous price in your ad if you were trying to be a respectable seller. Seems like the right thing to do would be to sell a $300-400 bike for (ya know) what its actually worth, instead of quoting a price that is at best over-inflated - and more likely fraudulent and greasy as hell. You know that bike isn't worth very much at all. There are way too many ways to make an honest $ in this world buddy, you don't have to make poor attempts to defraud people to make a living. Plenty of ways to make money without scamming people; but to each their own

Tell him that it's made of solid gold, and it's actually worth millions. You're just selling it for a few thousand because you need it out of the house quickly

 

[UNC71-00]

Tell him that it's made of solid gold, and it's actually worth millions. You're just selling it for a few thousand because you need it out of the house quickly

Excellent poast. If no one suggests a better one before tomorrow at noon, I will reply with that.

The floor is open. Who is the biggest smartass on OOTB?

 

[Heels Noir]

Obviously he doesn't wear a helmet when he rides and has taken some spills.

 

[UNC71-00]

Obviously he doesn't wear a helmet when he rides and has taken some spills.

So should I tell him $750 firm but I will throw in a helmet?

 

[strummingram]

CL is full of tire-kickers anyway.

I see over-priced merchandise, misrepresented merchandise on a daily basis. Letting them know their mistake isn't worth my time. And, trying to get a better price by insulting someone is the best way to have the opposite result.

 

[coryfly]

I would tell him you will sell it to him for $400. You know, say you really just need to get rid of it. Then arrange to meet somewhere and just not show up.

Make the meeting place somewhere odd as well. Maybe in the hood or some local sex shop.

 

[UNC71-00]

I would tell him you will sell it to him for $400. You know, say you really just need to get rid of it. Then arrange to meet somewhere and just not show up.

Make the meeting place somewhere odd as well. Maybe in the hood or some local sex shop.

I like it but I think I would go with the parking lot of a bike shop.

 

[dadika13]

I think you should do a long, thoughtful response explaining how you understand that it isn't worth $3k right now and you're not asking for $3k. Apologize profusely for the mix up...but before you send it, pop it into google translate and send it in Burmese.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

Excellent poast. If no one suggests a better one before tomorrow at noon, I will reply with that.

The floor is open. Who is the biggest smartass on OOTB?

Tell him that you’re part of a crime prevention task force trying to alert people to these types of scams, and congratulations he correctly identified the scam and won a prize. You’ll be glad to send him his winnings if he can just get you his bank routing and account number to send it to.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Agree to sell the bike to him. Get his name and cell number under the guise of needing to schedule a meeting via text. Then send dozens of emails of interest for the weirdest shit you can find on Craigslist (personal ads, sex toys, racist antiques, etc). In the email, instruct all sellers to contact you via cell number (the one he gave you). Also put in the email that your voicemail has not been working and that sellers should not leave messages but instead should try to reach you repeatedly.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Or better yet, get the phone number and then poast it here. OOTB can take care of this for you. I just hope we don’t find out it’s one of us that’s the biking expert. @Louigi, you wouldn’t happen to be in the market for a bike, would you?

 

[heelbent]

felt the need to tell you your dumb.

You sure you want to go with that, lol?




BicycleBlueBook.com Private Party Values for an '02 (Pricing provided in US Dollars)

Bicycle Condition
Private Party Value

Excellent:
$535 - $551


Very Good:
$509 - $525

Good:
$464 - $479

Fair
$334 - $345

MSRP New
$3,633

 

[Littlejon]

Tell him you won’t like it, but you’ll agree to go down to $950 just for him. See if he bites

 

[UNC71-00]

You sure you want to go with that, lol?




BicycleBlueBook.com Private Party Values for an '02 (Pricing provided in US Dollars)

Bicycle Condition
Private Party Value

Excellent:
$535 - $551


Very Good:
$509 - $525

Good:
$464 - $479

Fair
$334 - $345

MSRP New
$3,633

Correct. And mine has an extra fork, so starting price of $750 isn't even remotely out of the ballpark.

But I will sell it to you Jim for $725. And I will throw the helmet and a saddle bag.

 

[heelbent]

Correct. And mine has an extra fork, so starting price of $750 isn't even remotely out of the ballpark.

But I will sell it to you Jim for $725. And I will throw the helmet and a saddle bag.

tempting...but I already have a bike.

 

[coryfly]

I have a friend who owns a bike shop. Hope it isn't him.

I once traded a putter for a bike. I think I rode it at least once before I sold it.

 

[tarheel0910]

I once traded a putter for a bike. I think I rode it at least once before I sold it.

You rode the bike or the putter?

 

[dadika13]

You rode the bike or the putter?

 

[tarheel0910]

Doin' the Bull Dance. Feelin' the flow. Workin' it. Workin' it.

 

[Raising Heel]

To me, it just reads like he saw your ad and felt the need to tell you your dumb.

You sure you want to go with that, lol?

I think that was the joke.

 

[Raising Heel]

There are way too many ways to make an honest $ in this world buddy, you don't have to make poor attempts to defraud people to make a living. Plenty of ways to make money without scamming people; but to each their own

This is the best part of your correspondence with him. I had no idea you were running a bike cartel where buyers were forced to purchase merchandise from you at inflated prices. Cheese and rice, this guy is a dipshit.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Doin' the Bull Dance. Feelin' the flow. Workin' it. Workin' it.

I use this line all the time in my daily life lol.

 

[tarheel0910]

I use this line all the time in my daily life lol.

Maybe that's why you haven't been able to get a job. Seems inappropriate to say that during an interview.