"I responded that I would not sell untill the buyer inspected the tractor and I inspected the buyer. MF"
Why did you even respond?
You are dealing 'on the net' and it has No Borders and No Rules.
Whenever I run an ad, I do NOT list my phone or even the email address I used to sign-up on C.L.. I have a different GMAIL account that I use for such things as C.L. eBay and this blog thing, too. Just cannot be too careful.
I include a line or two similar to: "If you want it, put
I WANT [item] in the subject line and your
NAME and PHONE NUMBER in the body of the email and the BEST TIME TO CALL you to complete the sale.
I WILL CALL YOU and arrange a meeting at your convenience."
If I get an email that does NOT include their name, phone and the best time to call - I simply ignore it. If the **** orifice really wants the [item[ advertised, he/she will try again. And, if they supply a valid number (one can check such things) that matches the name given, I'll shoot them a call, acknowledge receipt of their inquiry and LISTEN to what they have to say (letting them do most of the talking).
I ask them when they would like to come see the [item]. Let them commit to a time and day - vague responses are suspicious. I tell them the city I'm in and ask them where they will be coming from (to get an idea of how long it will take them to get here) before giving them the address where they can inspect the [item].
When we agree on a day and time, I tell them to call me back when they are ready to leave (from wherever they said they where) at which point I would give him/her an address that will work for their GPS.
By this time, I've gotten a 'feel' for the caller's credibility. If not, I simply blow them off. And, so far, everyone I've waited for has arrived reasonably close to the scheduled time (or, if late, after calling to get better directions - some are not too bright) with cash in hand leaving with the [item] in hand.
One other point, describe your [item] thoroughly! Try and leave nothing to the imagination. Include pictures of every side, the good, bad and ugly. After all, it is what it is and it's worth what it's worth and what they see's what they'll get so - why put it off?
Don't offer to take deposits to 'hold' the [item] - this ain't the Walmart Lay-a-way. "Best I can do is to suggest you call when you can come see it and see if I still have it to sell."
Do not negotiate via email or phone. If your price is 'right' you will sell it for that. If the come (as I had one do) and want two [item]s for the advertised price of one, maybe split the difference or tell them, sorry, no sale. Since they drove all that way, they might not want to drive all that way back empty handed.
Look at when the party's email arrived in your IN box. Is this some scammer up at 3AM your time fishing for C.L. Suckers? Or just some kid playing with Dad' pc? I find the suspected 'scammers' tend to respond to my ads moments after I've posted them - such coincidences are suspect in and of themselves. But, if they've include a name, phone and best time to call [at a reasonable hour, of course] I'll give ;em a shout.
If there is a voicemail thing, I keep it really short "You emailed about my C.L. ad for [item]. I was calling as requested." I do NOT give my name or any information beyond that. If they do NOT have caller ID they don't even know my number and would need to send another email.
My ads stay up until I sell the [item] and I repost them and may change the price UP or DOWN from time to time - it's like fishing. No need to get anxious. After all, you don't really need the money!