Protocol for Craigslist pick-ups?

[WhaleinaTeardrop]

Just scored a like-new(under the grease and filth) Q320 for $50.   Told my wife that I was heading out to pick it up, on Father's Day no less and she looked at me a little strange.  I told her that it was. $400 grill for $50 and I was the first to make contact, so I couldn't pass it up.  She then went on to tell me to be careful and let her know where I was at all times et cetera....

I'm a big dude, 6'4.75", 325lbs, college OT and wrestler....but I'm getting older with many old injuries and the way she KEPT pushing actually made me stop and think so the only things I took with me were:

$50, Driver's License, CCP, S&W .38 Special, phone and a credit card for emergencies.

Things went so smoothly that I almost foolish as the seller was a family man about my age and while I expected him to bring the grill out front, he walked me through his condo and family room where his wife and kids were and onto his balcony.  We carried it out so as not to get the rug dirty, he helped me load into my car and I was off; the deal was done and I was on my home in 10 minutes.

That being said, did she/we overreact and how do you guys plan for CL pick-ups and sales?

[AZ Monsoon]

Dude. You're 6'4" 325 lbs lol. You're fine.

Unless.... They know Jiu Jit Su, and then they'll kick your ass, steal your 50 bones and keep the grill.

On a more serious note, I've picked up a lot of grills off of Craigslist and have never ever had any problems. Even in shady areas/settings......

[bigssa]

I am also a big dude, so I have never worried about it. My wife can track me through my phone so I have that as a backup in case I don't come home. Sometimes the seller wants to meet in a public parking lot which is just fine by me and probably a good idea, bit most people don't want to transport a large item to a public place.

[LiquidOcelot]

lol I'm 5 10 180 pounds and I just bring myself.

[bigssa]

I suppose this is probably very different for women. So I asked my wife and she quickly answered that there is a designated area for this type of trade/buy/sell in Charleston in the police HQ parking lot. I had no idea this was a thing and I am sure most major cities have the same thing.

[WhaleinaTeardrop]

I live in Chicago and many of the surrounding suburbs have designated meet-up areas as well, some of which are actually at the local police stations.

Much of this stemmed from a ring of robberies at CL meet-ups; the thieves were caught when they attempted to rob two guys who came to buy a motorcycle....who happened to not only be bikers, but best friends who had been in the Army together and were off-duty Chicago Police officers.

[56MPG]

I'm 6'4", and I still get the heebie jeebies on a CL pickup:

http://weberkettleclub.com/blog/2013/12/18/the-rescue-mission-a-martyg-kettle-adventure-story/

[zavod44]

Did you say 6-4.75"?

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[zavod44]

Did you say you live in Chicago?

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[zavod44]

Are you coming to the meet up?

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[WhaleinaTeardrop]

Yes to both; and my unbelievably timid wife is 6'2" and a former D1 Power Forward.

[LiquidOcelot]

I designated Lowe's down the street as my meet up spot open area and always has people in it

[WhaleinaTeardrop]

When is the meet-up?  I've seen references to it, but no actual dates....

[LightningBoldtz]

here is the info on the chicago meetup

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/meetups-events/chicago-meet-up-2017-master-thread/

July 8th in Elgin sometime after noon time frame.

[LightningBoldtz]

I am 5' 6" and have bought and sold over 250 grills in 5 years, not a single issue  CL issues are overblown.