Used Metal Detectors on Craigslist – Are they Worth Buying?

Craigslist is one among the good places online to find used or cheap metal detectors. It is the current and most popular online store that allows people to directly sell their used items to interested buyers.

The most interesting part is that, since the items are considered secondhand, their prices are always lower than the brand new price of the item.

At Craigslist, there are some individuals who are in desperate need of money. They are the once that sell their items at a very low price in order to be able to rash-sale their items. 

This is good for buyers who are looking for cheap prices.

On my research, I found a guy claiming that he was able to buy a Bounty Hunter 202 for a very cheap price of only $70. The brand new price of a Bounty Hunter 202 is worth $174.99. 

Thus, he was able to buy the metal detector at a price which is way less than half the price of the brand new model. 

Then again, he was able to purchase another metal detector which is the White’s MXT for a very cheap price of only $450 (the brand new price is worth $849).

The Buy and Sellers

One of the annoying users of Craigslist are the buy and sellers. What they do is that, they have a certain amount of capital to spend on items being sold by rash sellers. 

Aside from rash sellers, there are also those sellers who simply doesn’t know the actual market value of their items or they simply doesn’t care. 

Hence, they end up putting prices according to their own personal estimation. Buy and sellers will target such items by buying them then selling them back at a higher price where they are able to make good profit. 

It is good for them but not for those actual buyers with the real intent of being in need or wanting the item.

Buy and sellers are also the main reason why it is hard to find or search for those super cheap metal detectors. 

It’s because they are constantly monitoring every new entries on the list. As a result, you are trying to compete with them in which you have a very low chance of succeeding. 

It’s because these people are often good at it since majority of them considered it as a job.

If it happens that you have found a super cheap metal detector listed on Craigslist then it is just probably luck.

The Scammers

Scammers are a lot worse than the buy and sellers it’s because they are there to steal your money. There are already an endless number of complaints from victims directed to Craigslist about being scammed. 

A cautious buyer even claimed that there is a 40 percent chance that you will contact a scammer. So if you really want to purchase a certain metal detector at Craigslist, you need to conduct your own investigation particularly about the reputation of the seller.

Quality of the Item

When it comes to used or second-hand items especially metal detectors, it will be hard for you to confirm the quality if all features are still on a good working condition or does not have any damages. 

Unless, you are already familiar with it or you are a techy individual.

Fake Ads

There are plenty of attractive ads about cheap metal detectors listed on Craigslist but when you are going to them check them up, it brings you to different products.

So is it worth buying a metal detector at Craigslist?

Despite all those risks involve, it is still worth buying a cheap metal detector at Craigslist. 

There are already numerous individuals who are well satisfied using Craigslist’s service where they were able to buy expensive metal detectors at a very low cost or affordable price. 

The key to their success is that they know how to distinguish legit sellers from the scammers.

Buying your Metal Detector at Craigslist

The risks of buying a metal detector at Craigslist can be easily avoided if you know exactly what you are doing. Thus, for those who are new to Craigslist, you may want to follow these guidelines:

1. Always Inspect the Image Ads

There are 3 ways a seller at Craigslist can post their ads which can be in the form of an image, text or both. 

Among them three, you should always prioritize ads with images of the item. The next thing to do is to investigate the posted image if it’s original or not. 

If you can find similar images on other websites, try to determine their locations. 

Once you discovered that the location of the seller varies from one another (especially from a different country) then, there is a huge chance that the ad is fake.

2. Research the Original Price of the Metal Detector

In order for you to be able to buy a super cheap metal detector at Craigslist, it is important that you need to be aware about the metal detector’s original price. 

Through this price, you are able to tell if you are buying your item at a good amount of price. 

If you noticed that the item is just slightly lower than its brand new price, it is probably being manipulated by a buy and seller. 

If this is the case then you are much better off buying the brand new model.

3. Search and Browse for Sellers at your Region

Buying a metal detector at your own region should be the first important step. So if it happens that you found an item that you are willing to buy, you can always ask the seller to meet you in person.

Meeting in person allows you to do the exchange manually which completely minimize your risks of getting scammed at a very low chance.

Moreover, finding a good used metal detector on Craigslist is like metal detecting. 

You really need to put some effort in your search and surely, you might even find something that exceeds your own expectation.