1. Initial Contact

Ask questions. It helps to research the market value of an item to know if you’re getting a good deal. When you first contact a seller by phone or email, express your interest in the item and ask any questions you may have about the condition and/or history of the item. Ask to see digital photos as well.

Limit Personal Information. Limit the amount of information you share about yourself (for example, don’t give out your home phone or address and remove personal information from your email sig file). After the seller has answered some questions and seems credible, you may need to disclose more information about yourself such as your name and cell phone number. Try to keep it limited to that.

Establish the credibility of the seller.
In addition to communicating via email, we recommend talking to the seller by phone before meeting them.

2. Meeting The Seller

Meet in a public place. Meet in a public place if possible, during the daytime when other people will be around.

Bring a friend. If you must go to the sellers home for an item, bring a friend and let someone else know where you are going. You may also want to share whatever contact info you have for the seller.

3. Seeing & Evaluating the Item

Do your research. It helps to do advanced research on the market value of the item so you will know if you are getting a good deal. You may want to bring copies of similar listings with you that support your valuation. Don't be afraid to haggle or negotiate the price, but don't insult the seller with an unreasonably low offer.

See it before you buy it. Always see the item in person before you buy it. If it is merchandise, inspect the item carefully. If it is a vehicle, check the vehicle history (carfax.com offers vehicle historys for around $30) and ask for reciepts of any service records. You can also request a pre-purchase inspection at a local mechanic, a service which could identify potential safety and mechanical issues. If you are buying a pet, check its veterinary records and pedigree papers.

4. The Transaction

Pay cash. In online classifieds, it is best to pay with cash and keep the payment simple. Do not use personal checks, money wires, Western Union, or Moneygrams. Do not give out any personal information such as bank numbers or credit card numbers.

For big purchases, use cashier's checks. For an item priced over $1000, you may be more comfortable using a cashier's check from a well know bank so you don't have to carry cash around. You can bring a cashier's check in person to your first meeting, but it may be better to wait until you are sure you want to buy the item. This is because you will need the final amount when you make the check out to the seller. Ask for a signed receipt.

Protect your personal information. Don't give out your social security number, bank number, credit card number, etc. If someone like a landlord asks for your social security number, give them a copy of your credit report instead with your social security number blacked out.

1. Posting Your Ad

Be descriptive, use photos. Describe your item as accurately as possible to set buyer expectations. Include photos to give an idea of the appearance and conditon of the item.

Limit personal information. When posting an ad, use an email address that does not personally identify you. If you use a phone number, use your cell phone number instead of a home or work number.

2. Responding to Initial Contact

Answer questions. Respond to any interested buyer over email and/or by phone to answer his or her questions and to determine whether he or she is someone you want to do business with. Try to get a sense of his or her overall credibility and trustworthiness to see if you want to move forward.

Limit personal information. Don't disclose any personal information such as where you live or work, until you fell comfortable with the other person. Avoid inviting someone to your home.

3. Meeting the Buyer

Avoid doing business with people who are not local. Classifieds transactions should always be done locally. Don’t accept offers from potential buyers you can’t meet in person, especially offers over your asking price. A common scam is an offer over the asking price plus an extra amount for shipping. The “buyer” will send a counterfeit cashier’s check and ask you to refund the difference back to them. By the time you discover the cashier’s check is counterfeit, it’s too late.

Meet in a public place; avoid being alone. Meet in a public place if possible, or if the item is large, like a piano or a washer and dryer, arrange to have a friend over when the buyer arrives. If you are selling an item, you may want to schedule your showings all at one time, especially if you are at home alone. Let a neighbor know that potential buyers are coming to your house.

Be prepared to negotiate. A buyer may want to haggle with you about the price of an item. Be prepared to negotiate the price and terms of the transaction, but be clear where you stand.

Remove listing when sold. Once your item is sold, be sure to remove your listing and contact any interested buyers so they don't waste their time coming to see it.

4. The Transaction

Insist on cash. For online classifieds transactions, cash is the safest and the simplest form of payment. Do not accept personal checks, money wires, Western Union or Moneygrams. Do not give out any personally identifiable information such as bank numbers or credit card numbers. Also, ask for payment in full.

For big purchases, you can accept cashier's checks. A potential buyer may be uncomfortable carrying around large amounts for items priced over $1,000, so an alternative is to go to a bank together and arrange for a cashier’s check to be written out to you. Do not accept a cashier’s check from someone’s pocket (they are easy to forge). Arrange to go to the bank with the buyer during business hours to verify the check’s authenticity.

Protect your personal information. Don't give out your social security number, bank numbers, credit card info, etc.

Offer a receipt. Detail the amount of the transaction and the condition of the item should any further disputes arise. Make sure that both parties sign and keep a receipt, especially in the case of a car sale. You may need the receipt later as proof of relinquishing ownership and responsibility of the vehicle if it is not registered.