Ok. So, finally got a response from the seller. Here it is:

"Still available."

Grrr. I tried to tactfully convey that communication needs to change/improve if we're going to ever complete a transaction, so who knows....fingers crossed. After all the hassle, maybe I'll get them for even less. I guess some Craigslisters just aren't clued in at all.

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Just typical Craigslister stuff, really....hang in there, maybe it'll come thru...[/COLOR]

well, here's the update:

I finally spoke to the seller this afternoon. Super nice guy - just not real tech savvy. Said he "learned his lesson" about Craigslist, because he ended up with like 6 inquiries on the drums (and then some, because he had some other things listed too). They bought this set from a church about 10-12 years ago for their son. Sounded from his description like it was in excellent shape - seemed to have a pretty decent finish, not faded from what he described, not too banged up, just needed a good cleaning, from what he thought. Said the snare was a 10-lugger, strainer worked well and moved easily. Sounded like he had all the rims and tension rods, several stands, kick pedal, and (!!) (2) 18" Avedis Zildjians and a pair of 16" hats (weird, I know) - after we spoke I realized I didn't clarify if the hats were Zildjians or not. Also a bit odd: he measured the drums for me, and the kick was a 22", the floor tom a 16", but then rack toms were (2) 13-inchers - was this a common configuration in the late 60s, to have two identical mounted toms? Badges were black and gold, Niles era, and s/ns in the 150,000s.

He spent about an hour on the phone with me, in all, answering questions and talking about family and general stuff...I told him I was very interested, and would appreciate a call if he thought anyone else was coming for them soon, so I could get over there - couldn't go tonight due to a class I'm taking - but told him I'd try to come get them tomorrow or Thursday, and barring something major that he didn't notice or describe, I'd be coming to buy.

He did tell me there was another inquiry from someone in Cincinnati saying he "wanted them," so I was only a little surprised when he called me about 3 hours later saying this other person was offering to paypal him the funds right away, offered him $500 (to "outbid" me, I guess, as I had already told him that $400-450 was a very good price which I was willing to pay), and said he was coming for them tomorrow.

So I just said, "Let him have them." Told him, I'm not going to get into a bidding war with someone, and sounds like this other guy's pretty motivated. Kinda sucks though. $500's still an excellent price of course - if not more - but I just didn't like the idea of offering, say, $525, and getting into some kind of back-and-forth (if I wanted to "bid," I'd buy on freakin' ebay). I think the seller felt pretty bad, but I told him I didn't blame him for selling to the first person to show up with the money...not to mention a higher offer.

Anyway, I told the seller to let me know if it fell through, but I can't imagine it will. CryBaby ha! nah, not really...but I am disappointed. Violin

Offer him $500 and I'll pick them up for you, no charge.

That's not far from me and I would have been glad to have helped.

There's anyways another kit.

take care,

Greg

thanks Greg - I appreciate both offers. I emailed him this evening when I got home and just said to let me know if things fell through. But I'll call and leave him a message tomorrow and see what happens. PM me (or email me - I'll send a message to your email address) your phone number in case something works out. If dude's already paypal'ed him the money, I doubt he'll renege on the other guy. I wish I'd've just told him "consider them sold" (to me) and that I was coming tomorrow...he probably would have put everyone else off. Maybe a lesson learned on my part, too.