We don't notice the thousands of meetings that go smoothly, because we never hear about such uneventful circumstances. We fixate on the exceptionally rare outliers because they're the ones that are reported. I think these dating tragedies serve as a reminder to be cautious, but nothing is safe. There are stories of people killing their partner after years of marriage. I think all anyone can do, reasonably, is to get to know a potential date/lover/partner slowly, stick to public spaces at first, watch for warning signs, etc.

No. But I read them regularly for the entertainment value...

I met a few girls on there before it turned into a serial killer/prostitute/pic collector/spam hang out. I also sold a file cabinet on there once. It's no different than meeting anyone from any other website or even in person. You never know who someone is until you find out. You can meet a murderer or cheater or asshole anywhere. You just have to meet people in a crowded enough place and decide if you want to take it further.

I've never used Craigslist but caution is certainly advised. Meet in public, let someone know the where and the when and check in with them. Odds are very much against actual physical harm but best to be careful.

You're much more likely to die in a car wreck than be killed by another person but do you let that risk stop you from driving?

There is a movie " the Craigslist killer"
And the guy was a doctor ...or in medical school.
Based on the true story...

Craig's list has gotten such a bad reputation, I'd be scared to even buy anything from there! And no way I'd date someone!

I think meeting anyone through an online ad is a crapshoot, regardless of any site. You have to be careful, take precautions, only meet them when you're ready and in a public place and don't have any unrealistic expectations. That being said, I actually did make a few connections through Craigslist - most of the men who responded were just impressed that I could put two sentences together, so I guess that says a lot about people's expectations of the type of people who use the site. A couple have actually stepped it up though in their communication abilities, and one I have met a few times, though neither of us are sure where it's going. But I'm just completely surprised with even this, because I had no bites on conventional dating sites.

CL has its good users and its bad users. Just like any other site. And odds for being chopped up are the same for people you meet irl.

Mace. Mace is your friend.

I have perused it and still occasionally do. In the past I have commented on a few posts, assuming they can spell and have a grasp of grammar. However, I generally find, once I see pictures, that they are missing teeth, do not know about basic hygiene or keep up with current events. Not to sound like a snob but a girl has to have standards.

I did however chat with and eventually meet a couple for a 3some. She made me promise to not meet with him unless she was with. I readily agreed to that. But of course he started messaging me wanting to get together just the two of us. So I stopped communicating with either of them.

I have used it, that's how I met my last GF. Although it didn't work out, we're still friends and in fact still roommates...weird, I know, but rents are out of control in LA.

Just use common sense. Go slow enough to feel comfortable and don't meet in a private place till you do feel comfortable.

Man, the dating scene is sounding scarier and scarier..

Unfortunately, a tiny, tiny fraction of the population is nuts. And you can meet them online or in person. I know it’s riskier for women, but in any case we’re all taking a chance when we meet up with a relative stranger. I’ve been on a couple of online matches with women who were certifiable, but I’ve also met women who were perfectly nice just not a good fit. I think the best approach is to get to know someone with phone chats before any sort of in-person meeting, and even then it’s good to be cautious.

I'm pretty sure Craigslist wouldn't exist if meetings like that happened often.

Not Craigslist, but I have met women in public places through dating websites.

never. I think of that as the site people list free pups and they end up being used as bait dogs

Nope. I've heard they are rife with scammers.

Never done it. I tried some other sites with very little success. Seems like all the women wanted playmates and not an educated, grounded, and decent guy. Odd.

No

I have been on Craig's List for a while but never dated. There is a lot of weird-o's that hit that site. I have sold a lot of things from cars to refrigerators. I find stuff on the free site and then sell the stuff. Most people are moving and can't haul it with them, so they give it away.

I've used craigslist a few times. Always ask them to change the subject line to something else to separate the automatic scammers. Other than that it's hit or miss like just about every other dating site.

I have answered ads and placed ads. From what I know the experience is different for men and women. Men get a ton more scammers than women do. They all want the men to join websites or some such and ask for a credit card. When I put an ad up, it's kind of like being run over by a steamroller of email. I'll get close to 100 emails in the first couple days. I get scammers too but they use a different tactic with women. They're always either some kind of engineer or ex military, either divorced or widowed with a child between 8 & 14. They try to play on massive flattery and pull the heart strings with the "motherless child" bs.

If you're going to place an ad on craigslist you had better be prepared for a lot of dick pics.

I have actually met a few men thru the ads. A couple of them barely got past hello before I had a sudden engagement somewhere else.

Oh hell no!

Actually, with my wife a few years ago, met a couple through Craigslist, went out to dinner, had a nice time.. like people are saying any site can be used by a psycho, and precautions (meeting in public, watching to make sure you're not followed home) just make good sense