Thank you, CraigsList.
Since finding out about you as a poor college student, I've come to use you regularly - especially when moving to a new city I'm unfamiliar with. When I first moved to Orlando, I was looking for furniture - and ended up meeting a girl, Melanie, who lived in the complex I was moving to. We didn't end up huge friends, but having a pretty, sweet girl welcome you to your new home with cookies is amazing.
In Orlando I used CraigsList to buy a new cell phone with the mp3 player I wanted, and to do a little basic peddling and trading - video games, maybe a music accessory or two. WhenI came back north and went through my stuff, I used CraigsList to list the instruments and equipment I didn't want to take south, and sold it from a few genuine guys that came by.
Later, where I lost a roommate, I got plenty of hits by listing the second room of my condo on CL as a roomshare. Sure, there were a few flakes, and some people I definitely didn't want to live with, but I cycled through and found 3 good roommates during my 2+ years there.
Since moving to Charlotte, CraigList became something of a daily check for me - mainly the Musician and Musical Instruments sections, but occasionally something more oddball. It was a godsend when I was really itching to play music again - and found some guys not 10 minutes away looking for a bassist. It did wonders for my ability, and self-esteem, to jam with strangers and really feel the groove - and impress them! Maybe a few years in the cultural void known as Florida didn't sap my abilities as much as I feared.
When the banking system collapsed in 2008, CraigsList was a hunting ground. People were selling basses, guitars, and all kinds of gear there (and on eBay) for really good prices. I was able to scoop up some pro gear at minimal prices - much of it in great or excellent condition. I was free to buy a $2000 bass for $1200 - and then turn around and sell or trade it on CraigsList when I felt that it wasn't the right fit for me.
Lately I've expanded, buying some Wii games and gear, even concert tickets. I bought front row, top-notch tickets to Celtic Crossroads about two weeks ago - for under face value. Most of the people you meet that post on CL are educated, normal folk. If they aren't, you can tell (all caps, bad spelling, etc). Some are trying to get more than they should, but most are reasonable. It's like an online flea market.
Some things I've come across via Craigslist: