Craigslist

[Glitcher]

Re: Craigslist

Buying TVs off craigslist really depends on how confident you can repair it. If you're fairly sure you can fix the symptoms it gives then I'll pay a little more than everyone else to get it as long as I will make profit. So the more knowledge the better.

I don't post those "want to buy tvs" on craigslist though... they attracted MANY assholes that try's to rip me off with unrepairable sets by other frustrated failed "DIYers" But after experience, being able to profile people and especially the liars comes in handy.

[tom66]

Re: Craigslist

Craigslist must be a different animal. In the UK I can have a TV sold in a few days, I can't believe you have 10+ ready to sell. I think part of the sale does come from taking good photos and describing the item well. I also describe my items as "refurbished" though I personally know of many TV fixing guys around here who do not do this (they also take terrible photos and don't describe the items well, then wonder why it takes so long for them to sell it.)

[Shinju]

Re: Craigslist

Craigslist must be a different animal. In the UK I can have a TV sold in a few days, I can't believe you have 10+ ready to sell. I think part of the sale does come from taking good photos and describing the item well. I also describe my items as "refurbished" though I personally know of many TV fixing guys around here who do not do this (they also take terrible photos and don't describe the items well, then wonder why it takes so long for them to sell it.)

If this is directed towards me let me retort!

The app I used to sell (Offer-up) a mobile craigslist type deal. I only get to add one photo, that photo is always with the TV on and a decently high rez photo of a CG animated movie (mostly Avatar, Frozen or Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2) CG movies show off the colors really well.


I give a brief but to the point description about the panel, and if there was major repair like a board replacement or an in-depth repair I also put refurbished unit tag in the ad too.

If its just a simple cap swap I don't bother putting anything in the description as I don't think its needed. So what I have been doing going forward over the last 6-7 months is I have been putting the repair synopsis on a post-it note or two and taping them inside the panel so that the next tinker/repair guy can see what was done.

If anyone asks me if they have been repaired when coming to look I tell them, most of the time I have to use laymen terms but most seem to be ok with it a few have waked away but the next guy inline comes right in and scoops it up.

My area is brutal, there is at least a dozen or so guys looking to buy or selling repaired panels (admittedly I have a pretty sweet deal going for how I get my panels) and I also live in a very well economy based area folks don't mind dropping money on new items. Heck I live 10 min from Microsoft main campus, T-Mobile is up the road, Amazon is across the water, Google is in my back yard (Kirkland campus) Nintendo is a hop skip and a jump away!

To be honest, I am not in this for the money as much as I am in it for the fun as as well as trying to help the environment. Sure the money is great but eh I have given a few of these a way to friends who don't have a lot of means and that is worth more to me to help them then getting a few bucks for my pocket.

[vinceroger69]

Re: Craigslist

tom do you source and repair other electronic items to repair and make a profit? it so what seems to sell well, im like you i do this kind of stuff just to help to pay too keep a car on the road etc.

[tom66]

Re: Craigslist

Wasn't directed to you Shin. Just curious about the US members here complaining about how hard it is to sell TVs when I have little difficulty myslef. I do the same - It's very hard to advertise contrast ratio but people are attracted to bright colourful images. Avatar & Life of Pi work well.

Vince, I only do TVs and very rarely I do amplifiers, but I prefer TVs over anything.

[Shinju]

Re: Craigslist

^ all good, just wasn't sure

Anyway I think right now its slow due to folks saving up for the big two holidays coming up.

Fine with me, I just rotate TV's when I play my video games to keep the hours low on my LG 60PV450 :P

[tibimakai]

Re: Craigslist

In the last four months, I have picked up three TVs, it's that slow here. (they are all Vizio-s)
Most of the time, I don't say to people that I have repaired the TV. They are used TVs, it's not like when you purchase it new, you want to be sure that is really new.
A used TV, may have had issues in it's life and it was repaired.
Some people will walk away, if you tell them, that the TV it was opened up.

[Glitcher]

Re: Craigslist

A lot of people have that mentality that if it broke once it'll break again..

[jetadm123]

Re: Craigslist

Wasn't directed to you Shin. Just curious about the US members here complaining about how hard it is to sell TVs when I have little difficulty myslef. I do the same - It's very hard to advertise contrast ratio but people are attracted to bright colourful images. Avatar & Life of Pi work well.

Vince, I only do TVs and very rarely I do amplifiers, but I prefer TVs over anything.

I think one of the key things that tom66 mentioned earlier is that he offers a warranty on some/most of his sets. That would give the buyer more confidence in buying from you versus someone providing no warranty. Perhaps, if you're having a hard time selling a set, then offer a warranty to see if it receives any more interest from buyers. As for Craigslist (partially owned by eBay), it's really become a haven for scam artists and the like, which is why so many people are reluctant to make any purchases through their ads. Regardless, it's going to be slow selling any set cause' we're moving into the Thanksgiving/Christmas season and all the major retailers (think Walmart) are going to offering those "doorbuster" sales on cheap brand X TVs to get you into their store. These are the same "sets" we should expect to see on this forum in 1-2 years!

[splitcrete]

Re: Craigslist

A WARRANTY would be good but how long should you wait until another factory part goes bad.

[tibimakai]

Re: Craigslist

Sometimes, I give them some warranty myself too, specially for home theater receivers, since they can't test out all there features at my place, but not more than a week.

[tom66]

Re: Craigslist

1-3 months warranty. I don't test SCART and most analog AV ports.