So a craigslist seller doesn't want to give his phone number (2024)

Looking at a drum set on craigslist. Kit about 3.5 hours away. Communication is 'there' but seller seems to not read thoroughly as I have to keep asking same questions. I ask for his phone number so we can discuss the kit and his reply:"I don't give out my phone number-what questions do you have?"

Seems legit but odd. Any one here have that kind of experience?

Same thing has happened to me before. For some reason, that's the way people operate these days. Nobody likes to talk anymore. It's either text or email,.....or nothing, I guess?

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I like to have a conversation with the buyer, or seller if I'm buying.

Thanks guys. Agree on all replies except maybe swarfats, I think he just called me a creep! : )

I did offer to give him my number, I did ask(if I may) why he doesn't want to give out number, and I did ask in text all questions I had again so we shall see what transpires. I definitely am a voice to voice contact person as others mentioned also. You just never know I guess even w/that. Too bad.

It could also be that the dude just hates talking on the phone. I'm one of those people. It doesn't do my business one bit of good, but what can I say? I hate it, so I pretty much won't do it.

Matt

amosguy said:

You say you answered in TEXT. Meaning email text and not phone text?

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E-mail contact through Craigslist.

swarfrat said:

Another reason for not talking on the phone - I don't do well with accents and have horrible short term memory. I'm also far less likely to be pushed around or snowed in email than I am on the phone - where force of personality is a much bigger player than it is via chat/email/text. At work, I find many of the people who refuse to do business via email and want to pick up the phone are doing so precisely because they can throw their weight around in interpersonal conversations in ways that don't fly if the other person can compose their thoughts.

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That's far from me but a good point. I know lots of times e-mail/texts can be taken in the wrong manor. It all comes down to what one is comfortable with, and for me it's the phone.

tillerva said:

Strange enough, what did people do ten years ago? Oh, talked on the phone.
If presume he's just weird about the phone for whatever reason. As long as he gets around to yr questions and all I guess I wouldn't be too worried.
However, once the deal is set, and like it would be reasonable to get a phone number in case you get lost, or either of you wind up late, etc.

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It's just been a bit rough getting questions answered. I still await a reply which also has been slow but that's fine. I would hope to get a number if I do end up looking at them, if not I will most likely pass. Not like I really needed another kit right? : )

bigbonzo said:

I probably just wouldn't bother. Like a few folks have said the only way we used to communicate was via the phone. What's he afraid of?

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I'm waiting for a reply so time will tell.

JazzDrumGuy said:

Makes no sense. These days phone calls on cells are free so what's the hangup with the seller? If I am driving 7 hours r/t and spending time/gas, you better believe I want to sense whether this is legit. Smells a bit fishy unless you have time to kill in a car! I suppose if you really want it, list all your Q's and if all are not answered to your satisfaction, abort the deal. If you know his name/location, you should be able to find his phone # online anyway......I do it all the time.

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I gave him my first name and location. Nothing on his end.

robthetimekeeper said:

I sell on CL all the time and I only allow people to contact me by phone call. It helps to weed out the scammers and time wasters.
When buying, I always send my phone number but I am sometimes forced to use text or email if that is what the seller prefers. It just takes more time that way.
I find that most people over 40 don't mind a phone call.

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Well I'm over 40!

Markkuliini said:

I would thank him for his answers and his time, and tell him that with out talking to him there is a trust issue, that you will not do so long drive just based on emails. That the deal is not going to happen with out talking.
Cards on the table, let him decide.

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That is exactly the route I'm hoping for.

Thanks everybody!