I really think electronic equipment is the worst for this type of seller. People not only fail to realize that the stuff in their possession has lost value by the simple virtue of being used, they also often don’t keep track of the price of new equipment, and thus fail to realize that the stuff they own can now be purchased brand new for less than what they are asking for.
I had an experience like this a couple of years back when looking for a camera. It wasn’t on Craigslist, but the scenario is pretty much the same. I wrote about it in a previous thread:
On the other hand, i still really like Craigslist, especially for non-electronic stuff that has a high turnover rate. There are always heaps of desks, chairs, things like that available, so prices tend to be good.
When we arrived in San Diego last year, i needed a new desk, because my old one had been left behind in Baltimore. All i wanted was a fairly plain desk large enough to hold two computer monitors. It didn’t need drawers or anything. It just needed to have decent surface area, and be sturdy. After about two days of looking on Craigslist, i found an Ikea desk that was perfect for my needs. It was in perfect condition, and cost less than half what a new one would have cost at Ikea. Score.