Safely Hustling?

[Mike Kavanagh]

So, I've saved a little bit of cash up. I've been trolling through craigslist looking for deals and stuff I can try to haggle for.

The only thing that is holding me back is, I live in a bad area.
I mean there is a shooting every day, not even 2 miles down the road from my house. My fear is holding me back.

I've looked at the other sections in my states craigslist page but most of it is just bleed through from the other pages.

Is there a way to get over this fear?

I mean, I could take someone with me, but if their intent is to rob me... What can two people do against someone with a gun?
I've been robbed before. I definitely don't want to go through that again.

My drive to make money is great, but my will to live is even greater.

 

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[stranger]

Move to somewhere else. I don't know you are from, but your description sounds like you live in the entrenchment.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

I live right between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. We have two neighborhoods down the road where the residents claim to be from one or the other. It causes a lot of problems.

The want to show 'who's harder and got more chedda' in the terms of one of the kids I went to school with.

 

[DeletedUser2]

yep.
time to move

Z

 

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[stranger]

I get that. Maybe try to move to another town. Good luck to you anyway.

 

[splok]

So only post/respond to ads in areas where you feel safe traveling to?
Hustle on ebay instead?

 

[Era]

Move to a different town or even out of state. Start researching. You are free to go where ever you want, you are only a prisoner in your own mind. Be extremely careful with meeting anyone on Craigslist. If you must meet someone bring at least 2 people with you and do not meet anyone at their house or let them go to your house. Meet at a public place inside the place, not out in the parking lot. Also never let anyone in your car and don't get in anyone's car.

 

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[Mike Kavanagh]

I'm thinking about meeting people at the police station. I don't know how well that will go over though.

 

[Vigilante]

I'm thinking about meeting people at the police station. I don't know how well that will go over though.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. And if they don't like it… You skip that deal.

 

[julien515]

Do you really think you are at that big a risk of getting robbed? I've never used craigs list but I live in towson which is in the baltimore wash area and I've never had an issue with people trying to rob me. Use ebay if you think craigs list is so dangerous.

 

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[JEdwards]

You worry to much..

 

[Vigilante]

I respectfully disagree. Vigilance is important. In my city alone, there have been MURDERS from people using Craigslist as a means of stealing shit from people.

On a craigslist transaction, the people know you either have merchandise or cash on your person.

You cannot be too careful.

Here's one current example of many that have played out throughout the United States:

http://www.twincities.com/ci_23636984/maplewood-man-admits-craigslist-robbery-murder-st-paul

 

[Roland]

I don't understand why Americans are so deeply attached to the place they live in. Is it cutural? Is it because your country is so big that you can find almost anything inside? Is it something else? If you are not feelling well/safe where you live, why don't you move?
If you look at the earth from space, you won't see any country, borders or whatever limits you have in your mind. It is just pieces of land a bit different depending on where they are located but all of them have very good things to bring you if you make the effort to find the one that best adapt to your needs.
I have lived in five different countries so far and if there is only one thing I want to remember, it is that you will never learn as much as when you go and meet people you are not used to live with.

 

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[Tom.V]

Definitely move. How much is your life really worth to you?

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

Do you really think you are at that big a risk of getting robbed?

Having been robbed before, yes. Once at knife point in middle school during breakfast. Once walking home from high school at gun point.

I'm more a numbers person, so here are some numbers for Maryland.
This is only the reported stuff

 

[DennisD]

I had this problem most my life.

In high-school my neighbors were dealers.
Same thing when I moved to Jamaica Plain.
Same thing when I moved to Boston.
Same thing when I moved to Hull.
Right now I'm in a bad area, but at least my immediate neighbors are okay.

-Dress down.
-Always carry around a crap cell phone (flip phone) to either talk on the phone or pretend you're talking. You won't get mugged when you're on the phone, only after you hang up.
-Always carry a wallet with $5 and stuff you don't care about in it (expired credit cards, etc). If somebody mugs you, it's easier to toss them a wallet and move on with your day. If you go into your wallet for money they won't be satisfied. But giving the ENTIRE wallet is a surefire way to get them off your back.
-Technically 2 people can't really fight back if you're being stuck up, but the chances are exponentially lower if you have two people. One guy is an easy target. Two people is a pain in the butt.

Most of the 'shootings' that end in actual death are territory related. Some punk trying to make some quick money by selling drugs somewhere he shouldn't be... not from stickups or muggings. People try to avoid killing other people.

If you do all of that (false wallet, dress down, sidekick, crap phone) you should be good.

So, I've saved a little bit of cash up. I've been trolling through craigslist looking for deals and stuff I can try to haggle for.

The only thing that is holding me back is, I live in a bad area.
I mean there is a shooting every day, not even 2 miles down the road from my house. My fear is holding me back.

I've looked at the other sections in my states craigslist page but most of it is just bleed through from the other pages.

Is there a way to get over this fear?

I mean, I could take someone with me, but if their intent is to rob me... What can two people do against someone with a gun?
I've been robbed before. I definitely don't want to go through that again.

My drive to make money is great, but my will to live is even greater.

 

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[stranger]

I don't understand why Americans are so deeply attached to the place they live in. Is it cutural? Is it because your country is so big that you can find almost anything inside? Is it something else? If you are not feelling well/safe where you live, why don't you move?
If you look at the earth from space, you won't see any country, borders or whatever limits you have in your mind. It is just pieces of land a bit different depending on where they are located but all of them have very good things to bring you if you make the effort to find the one that best adapt to your needs.
I have lived in five different countries so far and if there is only one thing I want to remember, it is that you will never learn as much as when you go and meet people you are not used to live with.

US's folks love Walmart, McDonalds and cheap gas.:coolgleamA: I'm kidding.

Really, people have many different reasons why they cannot leave a town, a state or a country where they live.
The question sounded how I could deal with this and not how I could move to somewhere.

 

[socaldude]

I respectfully disagree. Vigilance is important. In my city alone, there have been MURDERS from people using Craigslist as a means of stealing shit from people.

This kind of shit happens ALL of the time here in San Diego. It happens all over the country all day everyday. Somebody will post an electronic device craigslist ad at a dirt cheap price and you show up with hundreds of dollars and they bring a handgun and turn it into a robbery or whatever kind of spin the criminal puts on the scam / crime.

I would argue that almost all crime could have been prevented if people were just more vigilant and careful.

Not too long ago here in San Diego an 18 year old kid was killed trying to buy a computer on craigslist: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/01/local/la-me-craigslist-murder-20130601

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"I'm a Fastlaner chillin in a "safe" fancy penthouse in Las Vegas, I don't need to be vigilant, I don't live in a dangerous neighborhood!" FALSE, crime can happen ANYWHERE, ANYTIME to ANYONE. Not to mention if you have tons of money you are in the crosshairs of professional fraudsters. If you are engaging in international business, you are the perfect target for fraudsters leveraging international law loopholes and financial regulation loopholes.

Due diligence ALWAYS, Vigilance ALWAYS. You can never be too careful, its your life on the line and your finances on the line.

Remember robberies, killings, thefts, rapes are happening ALL day everyday in this country and around the world. People and investors are scammed out of millions EVERYDAY. Yes EVERYDAY. You can never be too careful.

Imagine the crazy shit that happens everyday all over the U.S. (300 million people) now imagine all the crazy shit that happens all over the world(7 billion people!).

Most people wait until they get burned until they take vigilance seriously instead of just not touching the stove because experience says otherwise.

 

[JEdwards]

I respectfully disagree. Vigilance is important. ]

Vigilance is important, I just dont buy into the fear.

I used to deliver to Watt's, Long Beach, south central LA, etc, back in 1990-1991, before the riots, and gangs were going crazy, I was 20 and white. For nine months nothing.

I was mugged at knife point two blocks from where the riots started. They got $300 in cash and a bunch of equipment I was selling but really, oh well.

In my 20's I always had 5k in cash on me and drove around in a bright red Ferrari or red Porsche, no one bothered me then. No protection.

I think people should watch out, but then again you cant live in fear.

Now I have a gun so they would not get far with a knife.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

My mother always hated that I drove flashy cars. She said it made me a target for the unsavory.

While I never was mugged, she was right.

In your case, the best options are:

1) Move.

If you don't want to move...

2) Meet in areas with heavy surveillance. (Police stations, fire stations, casino lobbies, bank lobbies, etc.)

3) Dress down. (When I worked in the Chicago ghettos, I always dressed like I lived in the area. In other words, the people who weren't familiar in the area would be fearing ME, instead of me fearing everyone else.)

 

[Guest3722A]

ccw. hammerless revolver in a pocket. If things start to look odd, put your hands in your pockets casually. The second someone shows you a definitive threat to your life/health you don't even have to show them whats in your pocket. Hammerless so it doesn't snag on clothing.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

ccw. hammerless revolver in a pocket.

Concealed carry isn't allowed in Maryland.

Trust me the only reason I've haven't moved is because my sister was put on hospice a week or two ago.
I wont leave until after she either passes or gets better.

Trust me, I have my eyes on DFW, Texas and Scottsdale, AZ. I found an apartment in Dallas that is the same I'm paying here.

I've been told New Mexico isn't that bad, my father grew up there. That may be an option.

 

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[Ivan]

Wear a fake beard, pirate hat, and eyepatch. And get about 5 tears tattoo'd under your eye. NOBODY will mess with you.

On a serious note, specialize in stuff that rich people buy/use (no electronics). also, hit up garage sales and estate sales. Much safer, and better margins.

 

[SeanKelly]

In my 20's I always had 5k in cash on me and drove around in a bright red Ferrari or red Porsche, no one bothered me then. No protection.

Legendary

 

[Lakeview]

Now I have a gun so they would not get far with a knife.

Gotta love Texas!

I agree with all the Craigslist safety suggestions. Always meet in a public place. :iagree:

 

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[DeletedUser394]

Man, sometimes I love living in Canada.

I closed a deal today. Basically I put the merchandise in my mailbox and when I got home the merch was gone and there was money in it's place. I have almost no idea who came by, other than a first name and a phone number. Good times.

 

[Worldisyours]

Its not fear, its reality.
distinguish between them

your option is:
ready to bang or run

 

[Mbc]

Meet in a McDonalds or something.
Don't carry a gun unless you're really prepared to bust a cap in his a$$ before he stabs you or takes your gun and you get shot trying to be cowboy for a couple hundred bucks. Chances are you're not the first guy he robs, how may times have you successfully fought off or shot an armed thug in the heat of the moment? Armed cops get stabbed.
Whoever here said he'd shoot someone who pulls a knife watches too many movies. Give the guy your money, he's a lot more desperate for it than you.
It's not the kind of mistake you're sure to walk away from.
Change your hustle?

 

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[CommonCents]

Look on local auction house sites and sign up for their email list. Tons of auctions going all the time. Find stuff at auctions to buy, and use CL to sell stuff, not buy stuff. Probably a lot safer. You could look for biz to biz stuff, instead of selling to individuals.

My father had a distribution biz in the 60's and was delivering stuff during the race riots. He was looking for the owner of a store to collect money and went to the basement of the store. There were the black panthers having a meeting, with many weapons. They all rolled their eyes at my Dad and told the cracka to get the hell out of there. He said not without my money. He got paid and left. LOL he was lucky.

 

[murk01]

Move.
Its that much of a risk get out. Think about how much better you would do if that was not an issue