Buying Craigslist - verifying not buying stolen?
04-05-12, 11:11 AM
#26
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Due dilligence? I bought a bike off the back of a pickup truck that had two dozen beat-up looking bikes shoved into it and a few more bungee corded to the tail gate and back bumper. He had a bumper sticker that said "Bike Shop," no kidding. Seems legit.
04-05-12, 12:54 PM
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There are no absolutes in dealing with Craigslist.
04-05-12, 01:23 PM
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04-05-12, 01:23 PM
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If you show up with a uniformed law enforcement officer and the seller doesn't get nervous, you're probably ok. And in the unlikely event it does turn out to be stolen the cops aren't likely to blame you.
If it's a REALLY great deal, offer to buy a cop lunch and tell them why.
Most legitimate sellers won't mind you showing up with a cop friend. Anyone selling stolen goods is probably going to be very nervous, and may simply refuse to sell (which may prompt the cop to do some checking).
Unless you're best friends with a cop this isn't always practical, but it's worth trying.
If it's a REALLY great deal, offer to buy a cop lunch and tell them why.
Most legitimate sellers won't mind you showing up with a cop friend. Anyone selling stolen goods is probably going to be very nervous, and may simply refuse to sell (which may prompt the cop to do some checking).
Unless you're best friends with a cop this isn't always practical, but it's worth trying.
04-05-12, 09:29 PM
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I'm not a lawyer either, and whether the stolen property was purchased from a Craigslist seller, a brick and mortar store, or a law enforcement agency, you have still received stolen property, and I guess you could be charged for that, but I assume most prosecutors wouldn't pursue the matter if they believed you had a reasonable belief the sale was legal. Just don't piss of your district attorney.
04-06-12, 02:59 AM
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If you buy a used bike from a LBS, or a police auction, it may still turn out to be stolen.
I'm not a lawyer either, and whether the stolen property was purchased from a Craigslist seller, a brick and mortar store, or a law enforcement agency, you have still received stolen property, and I guess you could be charged for that, but I assume most prosecutors wouldn't pursue the matter if they believed you had a reasonable belief the sale was legal. Just don't piss of your district attorney.
I'm not a lawyer either, and whether the stolen property was purchased from a Craigslist seller, a brick and mortar store, or a law enforcement agency, you have still received stolen property, and I guess you could be charged for that, but I assume most prosecutors wouldn't pursue the matter if they believed you had a reasonable belief the sale was legal. Just don't piss of your district attorney.
04-08-12, 05:42 AM
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CL deals are out there. I picked up a $2200 retail Gary Fisher off DC craigslist from a guy for $150 that turned out to be the assistant to a senator that was moving home and couldn't haul it. Had been sitting in his back yard so needed chain and cables, but other than that was flawless.
Hold on, DC, politics, senator.. Prolly a crook
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