If you notice signs of suspicious activity, immediately cancel the exchange, report the listing or seller, and call the authorities if necessary.

1. Share only what is necessary and relevant. You should not need to exchange full names to buy from anyone; a first name or even a made-up nickname should be fine. Do not disclose your address or contact information unless absolutely necessary.
2. Deal locally. Johnny’s List is only for Whidbey Island transactions. If someone tries to make you meet them off-island, please report the listing and cancel any meeting plans.
3. Meet somewhere public, especially when it isn’t someone you know. Outside the local police station or library, a busy shopping center parking lot, or other public business is a great neutral location. Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
4. Inspect items in person before exchanging money. If you’re purchasing a car, RV, or bike, ask the seller for a short test run to make sure it is in operational order. If buying electronics, ensure it powers on correctly. Do whatever you and the seller are both comfortable with to ensure you are getting what you expect.
5. Never share financial information. In today’s world, there are so many easy ways to mostly-anonymously send money: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, the list goes on. Old-school cash never goes out of fashion. You should never need to give a seller your bank account number, a picture of your credit card, or your social security number.
6. Be weary of sellers asking for payment in gift cards. Gift cards are a favorite of the scammer, because they are easily sent from place to place, easily obtained, and nearly untraceable. Again, inspect the item you’re buying before purchasing, but even if you need to pay before delivery, payment apps listed above have protections in place in case the worst happens.
7. Price compare. Even if you’re set on buying the item you found here, make sure to check other listings, online tools, or your favorite shop for how much the item would go full-price. While local goods will always cost more than Amazon, you shouldn’t be paying way more than the item is worth.
8. Listen to your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, it just might be. If something feels uncomfortable or off, stop communicating with the seller; there will always be another opportunity.

Your safety is always more important than any potential deal.

1. Meet somewhere public, especially when it isn’t someone you know. Outside the local police station or library, a busy shopping center parking lot, or other public business is a great neutral location.
2. Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back. If you use location-sharing apps with friends or family, make sure yours is enabled and someone knows to check it.
3. Stick to the plan. Once you and the seller have agreed on a meeting space, don’t change it last minute. If you’re going to be late, let the seller know.
4. Bring your phone with you and make sure it is properly charged. Even if the sale goes smoothly, anything could happen on the trip, and help should be close at hand.
5. Do not enter a stranger’s home alone. If you decide to meet up at their address, make the exchange on their porch or in sight of the road. If you’re picking up an item inside such as a piece of furniture, bring someone with you to help. Buddy system!
6. Avoid carrying lots of cash on you.
7. Follow local laws and regulations.

We want everyone on Johnny’s List to have a good time. We ask that when buying, you respect these common etiquette expectations:

• Don’t be rude. If you don’t like an item, it’s just not for you! No need to waste your time and the seller’s telling them how pointless, overcharged, or other cruel thing that popped into your head. Say it to a friend, and move on. If it really is bad or overpriced, the lack of response will tell them that. Be kind, be polite, be considerate.
• Don’t assume. If you have questions after reading a listing, ask them. Nothing is worse than both you and the seller being disappointed over a misunderstanding.
• Communicate clearly. We’re all busy people, but you only slow the whole process down when you send a message full of typos, or lacking any punctuation, or leaving out important information. Take a breath, slow down, reread your message before you hit send, and make sure you’re as understandable as possible.
• “Please” and “Thank you” are appreciated here. Whether interacting with us or each other!
• Check the entitlement. The item being sold belongs to the seller until money and goods have changed hands. The seller doesn’t have to answer a million questions, or reserve it for you if they’re trying to sell quickly or had someone get their first, or answer to you beyond what you both agree. If someone tells you no, respect it.
• Follow through and communicate. If you said you would meet up or pick up an item, DO IT! If plans change, or you’re going to be delayed, or you’re just not interested anymore, tell them so they can adjust or relist.
• Negotiation goes both ways. We’re all out looking for a deal, but times are tough all around. If you offer less than the seller is asking and they tell you no, respect that and either offer what they’re asking or move on. Don’t be a jerk!
• Don’t ask for discounts because of your circumstances. If you want to travel to buy an item, the seller doesn’t owe you money off the item for your choices.
• Don’t send repeated messages. They will reply to you when they have time. If your message didn’t go through, 20 more isn’t going to solve the problem. And an annoyed seller is a seller who does not want to work with you.
• Don’t bait-and-switch. If you agreed on a price before meeting, honor that price unless the item wasn’t as described. If a seller tells you an item is already sold, don’t offer to pick it up faster or pay more to undercut the person who already made a deal.