Craigslist Rideshare

[offroad]

<P>Was wondering if anyone had either advertised, or contacted a person on a Craigslist Rideshare site, and shared the expenses of driving from POINT A to POINT B.&nbsp; Seems like a great way to cut cost.&nbsp; Has this topic been discussed before on the VAN section here?<BR><BR>Am now trying to read GOOD STORIES and the HORROR STORIES from across the blog world.</P>

 

[MrNoodly]

Interesting thought. <br><br>The ride sharing listings here are mostly for commuting situations. I wonder how many people needing longer distance rides bother to check craigslist.<br><br>If I were to do this thing, I guess I'd need to scrap my plan for removing the passenger seat.

 

[offroad]

I did a search and did find persons are looking for a POINT A to POINT B long distance five hour drive, via Craigs List.&nbsp; So it does look like people are trying to find help with getting a long distance ride.

 

[MrNoodly]

Then that's promising.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[ZOFCHAK]

&nbsp;A few years ago I posted on Craigslist offering a ride when I was planning a move from Michigan to Florida.&nbsp; I received over 20 messages in just 2 days, and the number and content of the responses made me a bit leery about the idea.&nbsp; I'm sure most trips would be fine, but it would only take one crazy or one criminal to make it not worth the risk.&nbsp; Some of the better run ride sharing sites offer online references and links to the would be rider/drivers social media accounts or at least short biographies. I think I would feel a lot more comfortable using one of those sites as opposed to the luck of the draw on Craigslist. <br><br>&nbsp;

 

[wrcsixeight]

I am too suspicious of strangers to invite them into my home. &nbsp;Way too many scams on craigslist too.<br><br>Imagine getting pulled over, and they are carrying drugs or other contraband.<br><br>What if they couldn't shut up? or wanted to listen to rap, or needed to stop every hour? &nbsp;What if I needed to stop and they said they'd just wait in my Van. &nbsp;no freaking way. &nbsp;Get your bag, and you can wait outside. &nbsp;Imagine leaving the restroom and your ride is gone with somebody you were helping out??<br><br>Not for me, i just don't like people, and want the option whether to subject myself to their presence or not, and besides, I make most people uncomfortable without trying. &nbsp;If I am trying, they are miserable.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I have tried it a few times. I too thought it would be great to cut my fuel costs in half, but every time I asked for a CL'er to "share the cost of fuel" they would cease all communications. CL'ers are looking for a FREE ride. I'm not saying that it can not be done, but I feel it is more BS than not.<br><br>The biggest problem I have is that I am basically inviting them into my "home" for an extended stay without even knowing them. I could dislike them but feel obligated to keep allowing them to ride along. They could bring illegal items into my home without my knowledge. But mainly, most of the ride-share folks want to get to point B as soon as possible, while I travel to see the sights. To date I have not taken on a CL ride share and have decided to stop advertising any offer.<br><br>I have picked up a few hitch hikers though (out of country folks hiking across the USA, not the avg American pan-handler-type), and thoroughly enjoyed the company. While I still did not offer them to sleep in my van, I also did not ask for any money for fuel. It was nice nonetheless.

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree with wrc 68 on this.&nbsp; I sell things on craigs list occasionally but always meet at a neutral location never my house.&nbsp; everyone I have closed a deal with seemed&nbsp;ok, &nbsp;but I have talked to allot of strange people, &nbsp;some trying to pull scams.&nbsp; so be careful out there.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[cyndi]

I've ridden cross country twice with craigslist ride share rides, and back again with one of the rides. Both experiences were fine. One of the rides ended up being a life long friend. When I amswered the ads, I gave references and asked for references and followed up on them.

 

[offroad]

cyndi - thanks for the brave stories. am kind of chicken but know that could find a new friend if was open enough.&nbsp;

 

[user 423]

<p>Last year I gave a ride to a guy and his dog headed to the Rainbow thing. Had no trouble with the guy and made sure it was understood that he not be carrying. Almost kicked them out though because of the dog. The medium-sized pooch was friendly enough but when we stopped for a break and his owner was in a C-store, he started raising hell when I opened the side door to get something out of my cooler. Seems he was really protective of his owner's backpack. The guy said he didn't train him that way but it was good because he didn't worry about leaving his pack for a while. Well, I don't like not being able to get into my own van and told him that from then on he needed to tie the dog to the rear bumper at every stop. <br><br>I love dogs and get along with most but if you were going to do the CL share thing I would advise against taking someone with an animal. This ride was 600 miles and 2 days and he did cough up some gas $ and that was good. He also panhandled at one stop and came back with 2 burgers with fries from Wendy's.</p>

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I wouldn't be to keen on the passenger thing but have shipped parcels and pallets of freight&nbsp;when I've got room on&nbsp;my little truck when I've headed up the hwy to another job. Nice way to pay for expences.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">In Oz we have a couple of good companies matchting freight to carriers. The big boys don't like carrying small loads.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">The rides sounds like a good idea though.<BR>Cyndi was it free? or did you share the cost of travel.?</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[Pikachu711]

<p>I'm finding this subject of rideshare very interesting. I've never considered this aspect of travel until this subject was discussed in this forum. After reading the responses so far I did think of another aspect of rideshare. If you do rideshares do you allow your passenger to drive your vehicle?<br><br>If it I were to share a ride with someone from point A to point B I'm not comfortable allowing someone else to drive my vehicle. I can see sharing a ride with someone but allowing someone do drive my vehicle is something I'm not entirely comfortable with whatsoever.<br><br>Question: Would you allow your "rideshare" to&nbsp;drive your vehicle?</p>

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Simple answer.&nbsp;NO WAY&nbsp;!!! I just assumed you were giving them a ride.</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[Folixe]

I rode from NM to NY in an old VW van with some awesome guys that I found off of CL. I spent about $100-$200 gas.<br><br>I'm still not sure if it was worth it because there were multiple times that I felt my life was in danger. Particularly when the driver was tripping acid, going 80mph down route 66.<br><br>All in all, fun times and a cheap ride. It took 3 days and I brought my backpack with me every time I left the van because I was afraid they would drive off with my (at the time) life.<br><br>It should also be noted that the owner of the van let anyone drive it. One of the guys learned how to drive stick on that trip.

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Down here its cheaper to travel by Greyhound ($50AU Melb to Sydney) or by my prefered means XPT train.</SPAN> </STRONG></EM>

 

[user 423]

<span id="post_message_1278368555">

I'm still not sure if it was worth it because there were multiple times that I felt my life was in danger. Particularly when the driver was tripping acid, going 80mph down route 66.

<br><br>A VW van that could go 80MPH?? Now that would be a trip.<br></span>

 

[wagoneer]

Craigs is a good service the only "bad" I had was selling a CARTIER watch these two thugs called on a sunday and came over long victorian top flat with a long set of stairs. I showed them the watch and they offered me a check that looked like they pulled out of the trash. I refused the check and they accused me of "is this a black thing" and started to get huffy and threatening. In the adjoining room my good friend and gun collector was doing his usual cleaning of the guns was working on his US ARMY ISSUE 45. overheard the conversation and cocked the gun. Wow! these guys turned white as sheets apologized and quickly ran back down the stairs. Last time I did that.

 

[Folixe]

<span style="line-height: 20px;">A VW van that could go 80MPH?? Now that would be a trip.</span>

<br><br>You'd be surprised at just how fast a hippie can get a van going downhill while tripping his balls off.

 

[MK7]

Yea, the illegal drugs is a scary possibility. You get pulled over and it's a felony for you and your van/home gets impounded and CONFISCATED w/everything in it.....in most states.&nbsp; <br><br>You know a crackhead is going to immediately stash it under the seat cushion if you get stopped. He'll also deny it's his. The addiction is so strong, it's amazing how careless they are by having it in their possession and such (as seen on TV show Cops).<br><br>Then there's also the bunch of other possibilities of getting setup for being robbed, raped, kidnapped, etc... out of 100 stories....98 can be really good ones that you read about....but if you're the 2 bad ones, getting raped once is pretty messed up right there. This ain't like gambling at a casino, or playing bingo or the stock market....which a 98% chance to win is great for high rewards w/little investment......this is risking your life to save only HALF the gas cost.<br><br>Just like https://www.couchsurfing.org/<br><br>this is even CRAZIER ..... x 10.