You Can't trust everybody on Craigslist.

Hello BP,

I just purchased three 4-plexes on the same block a couple months ago and things are going pretty well so far. However, there is one run down4-plex that is right next to two of my properties that seems to be keeping tenants from wanting to live on this street.

It has always been a plan of mine to try to purchase this 4-plex as well and since I am not getting the tenant interest that I would prefer, I think I would like to approach the owner sooner than later.

I looked

Just wanted to share a recent learning experience that I had that might help somebody else.

I had a refrigerator go out in one of the units I was renovating, so I got on craigslist and found used refrigerators for $125 and "Delivered and Installed for an additional $25". For $150, I took the guy up on delivering and installing this fridge and sent him the measurements of the fridge twice before he arrived.

To me, “delivered and installed” meant that I wouldn't need to do anything but let him in, so I figured it would be OK to have my 11 month old baby with me. I was so wrong!

The guy gets there and immediately demands the money (cash only), and does not have a cart, so says that I need to help him. Stupidly, I give him the money, set my baby down and help him carry this fridge down a flight of stairs to the back door of this apartment, where it wouldn't fit through the door. The original fridge that I took out of the apartment fit through the door just fine, this should have definitely been a clue that he brought a fridge that was too big.

Now the guy tells me that he has to leave and that all I have to do is take the door off and wheel it in. He then insults me by saying "I've never known a man to not have any tools on him" (he didn't either). The guy leaves and I am now stuck at the bottom of a flight of stairs, blocking the entrance to the apartment, with a fridge that won’t fit through the door and an 11 month old baby.

So, I pack up my baby to go to the nearest hardware store to get a couple screw drivers to get the door off and scratch up the floor going in. I finally get this fridge into the apartment to find it doesn't fit. After trying to call the guy back multiple times, no answer.

I ended up just having my property manager go buy me a new fridge and install it, which I probably should have done in the first place.

Lessons:

1. There are sketchy people on craigslist.

2. Always verify the specs of what you need (I should have measured the fridge before it came out of the truck.

3. Be specific about what your needs are to not get yourself in a bind.

4. Consider your time as money spent.

Hope this helps somebody out there. Anybody else have a similar Craigslist experience?