re: The #1 rule of craigslist is always make the exchange at a police station lot

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I've bought and sold furniture/appliances using CL.

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I sold a PA system for $3200 when my band dissolved. The buyer was from Tulsa and I'm about an hour from there. The buyer kept calling me saying he was going to be later and later, until his arrival was going to be after dark. I grew suspicious and called two buddies over for back up, just in case (both Marines).

I texted the buyer and straight up told him that I thought it was suspicious that he was delaying, and that I had called in some security, so if he was planning some dumb shite to just turn around and go home.

He texted back assuring me that he was serious. So I asked him how many people were coming with him and he said himself and two others, and that they had been so delayed because they had to wait to borrow their bosses construction van.

When they arrived I was outside my garage with the door still closed and my 1911 in my waistband in the small of my back, as usual. They introduced themselves and we shook hands and I asked to look in the back of the van to make sure they had enough room (yeah, that wasn't the real reason but I had to make sure nobody else was back there). It was empty.

So I hit the garage door button and my buddies were sitting inside with their AR's leaned up against the wall next to them. I've never in my life seen 3 Mexican dudes eyes get so big Buyer looks it me and says, "g@ddamn Holmes, you fricking did bring security!"

Turns out the dudes were pretty cool. I hooked one of my axes up to the PA to show them that it actually worked, and we ended up having a beer with them before they headed out

But, you just never know. And I'm naturally paranoid and suspicious so there aren't many times I take chances in today's fricky world.