An Outer Richmond man who thought he'd lined up a buyer for some unwanted laptops ended up with a worse deal than he'd hoped, after the purported buyer robbed him instead.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, the 36-year-old aspiring laptop seller had been advertising his wares on Craigslist, when he got a bite: A man in his 20s who agreed to purchase the seller's laptops.

The seller wisely arranged to meet the buyer in public on Wednesday evening, according to SFPD spokesperson Officer Grace Gatpandan, but the buyer stood him up.

The rejected seller headed back to his abode on the 600 block of 33rd Avenue (that's between Anza and Balboa Streets) at around 10:12 p.m.

That's when, police say, the supposed buyer appeared and robbed the seller of his laptops at gunpoint. The thief then fled in an unknown direction, and remained on the loose at publication time.

According to Gatpandan, it's unclear how the ruffian learned the laptop seller's address. She also reminded the Ex that any time you set up a sale on Craigslist or elsewhere, there's the possibility of a mugging like this one.

“When you’re selling things there’s always that risk that you could be subject to [become] the victim of a crime,” Gatpandan told the Ex.

“Definitely do not conduct the transaction at your home" she said. Instead, Gatpandan suggested, consider meeting at the lobby of your local police station, which is "available for such purposes 24 hours a day." So, remember to head to your friendly neighborhood police station the next time you decide to sell your couch, bed, or carpet! I'm sure they'll be thrilled to host your transaction.