Why I Think Selling on Craigslist is a Waste of Time
Craigslist has turned out to be more than a frustrating experience for me. Even though it is free to use, it has the potential to cost you lots of wasted time, many inconveniences, and countless disappointments. There is no accountability on Craigslist. Your only real hope at exposing someone for what they are and how they do business is to post about it, which will likely be removed immediately as people "flag."
To sell on Craigslist, all you do is find the appropriate category, sign up (they formerly did not require you do to so, but it makes things easier), and post your ad. It is very much akin to posting an ad in the newspaper for free. With millions of visitors each month, you are reaching a large amount of users and should - common sense would say - sell your product more quickly, especially since you are usually appealing to local buyers.
So, what is wrong with Craigslist?
For starters, I have found that you need to post your ad more than once per day if you live in a large city; this is frowned upon on Craigslist, but if you don't you may as well give up as ads are bumped quickly and people are not efficient with search terms. Okay, so what is the big deal with posting more than once? Well, you have to take the time to re-write your posting and make it appear different. If it is exactly the same Craigslist will generally filter out your posting. Be prepared to write two or three ads per day to get the views you need for your item to sell.
Another problem with Craigslist is poor communication between buyers and sellers. You can say, "Call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx," but if they don't want to, they won't. I have found that buyers ignore sellers' requests on how to make contact about buying the item. I have, many times, said only to call and instead get nothing but e-mails. So you need to also be prepared for some phone or e-mail tag.
I'd say the largest problem that I have with selling on Craigslist is what I like to call "Phantom Buyers." They contact you and are very excited about the item. They have you take extra pictures so they can show their Dear Aunt Edna. They request you hold the item, which you feel is a good idea since the time and day they give is convenient for you, and you spend several days going back and forth with them online. When the day comes for them to come pick up the item, they never show up. No phone call, no e-mail, and you're left sitting there wondering what went wrong.
Don't feel bad. It wasn't you. It was them. They were truly never interested in your item in the first place. If they were, they would at least contact you again to let you know they're no longer interested, which is my biggest peeve. Sure, we all know that is how sales go. People shop around and then make their decision. But it doesn't take 20 e-mails or phone calls to decide if they're interested. It would be most curteous to at least let the seller know that they are actively searching for other similar items.
"Craigslisters" always seem to want to talk you down on price, too. If you list something for $50 that is well worth the price, don't be surprised if you get a few inquiries as to whether you will take $5 or $10 instead. I listed a $150 value - a wooden castle with 15 very expensive knights - for $50. It was very much worth that price and everything was nearly new. But I got led on, talk down attempts, and eventually gave up.
I honestly think that Craigslist is a waste of time and that you're better off trying your luck with eBay or just giving the things away. You can occasionally make some fast cash on Craigslist, but I think you will find that the negatives far outweigh the positives when selling. I simply don't have the hours or patience for Craigslist buyers. I would rather give my items to those who really need it instead of arguing with someone who drives a Porsche over an insignificant five bucks.
Published by MysteryGal
Easy Ways to Make Money OnlineThere are some ways to make money online in the first few days, but do not expect to pull in $100 or even $10 in your first few weeks. Regardless of what websites say, people di...- Make Money Blogging!Ads all over the internet claim you can make a lot of money through a blog. What is a blog? How can you make money with one? Read more about making money through blogging!
- How to Make Money Using Your BlogEveryone owns blogs, and now you can monetize your blog and make money
- Make Money Online, Make Money on the Internet, Make Money at Home... The Real How...If you are like me you are tired of looking for ways to make money online. I literally have clicked thousands of links promising to teach me the secrets to making money online, make money today, make money over the In...
- How to Make Money from ArticlesHow to earn extra income, and make money from writing good content articles.
- How to Make Money Online
- How to Make Money from Real Estate
- How to Make Money Online with Jewelry
- How to Make Money in Your Sleep
- How to Make Money on EBay
- College Students... Wanna Make Money? Here's How!
- American Values Investments Wants to Help You Make Money
7 Comments
Post a CommentI forgot number 6.
6. Never deliver an item unless your prepaid in full.
Agreed on most of what is said here. Lately, as already mentioned, CL has seemed like a real waste. But that may depend on your location. In my case, I'm located on the outer edge of civilization and most of the items I sold on CL where to those 35 + miles away in the higher density areas. Largely, because I have the same item for sale here at a fraction of the costs in there local area.
Since 2010, I've had a lot harder time selling things there. A lot of people from the higher populated areas just don't seem to be looking as much as they where in the past. My pricing is still in line (cheaper then there local area is), but buying is just down. I do agree that most people on CL are a complete waste. Usually with unrealistic expectations. As already mentioned, even if you are the best price in town (or anywhere for that matter), you'll still get the infamous...will you take this. Which of course is usually, half or less of what your asking.
One thing to do is to qualify the buyer and weed out the flakes. For one thing, I don't do tons of emails. If they have a question, I answer it via email. If they have more then one question, my response is for them to come see the item in person and I'll answer all there questions then. If they wont take the plunge to at least drive out and see the item, then there not a real buyer. I also wont negotiate price over email or the phone, for the same reason. If they wont come see the item in person, there not a real buyer. Cut them off and move on. There just wasting your time.
Unfortunately, this can become tricky if there not local (in another state), which happens occasionally. Ironically, I've had the best luck with out-of-sate buyers then local buyers, so it's just one of those things you have to deal with.
So, these are some tips that have helped quite a bit (for me at leats on CL):
1. If there local and wont come see the item after the first question, cut them off.
2. Don't even bother negotiating the price unless they come see the item.
3. Just because they will only communicate via email or phone only, doesn't mean there not a real buyer. I've sold to both types of people without any problems. Some people just want to call and others just want to email.
4. The "lowest I'll take" or "best price" is the price I have it listed for. Your not selling a new car where the dealer marks the price up, then gives huge discounts to make the buyer feel like they got a deal (when they didn't).
5. A lot of people on CL pull price values of out there rear (both sellers and buyers). Keep that in mine.
Craugslist used to be ok a few years ago, but the past year or two has been a complete waste, nobody buys anything anymore, even if you give them a good deal, they e-mail ask for your number, and then never call back, at least in my area
I think maybe you're just not too bright. There's some common sense needed to operate on CL but that's all really. I just bought a 4mo old chest freezer for $60 yesterday and sold a desk for $500 today. CL works well if you use it wisely.
Please go back to that cesspool known as Craigslist. We don't have time for you here in the land of common sense.
You forgot to mention the scam buyers (the Nigerian who wants you to ship the cell phone your selling to Africa for a PayPal payment) or emails asking you if the item is still available and then say nothing after you inform them it is. I don't know why people always try to low ball you too. If you list an item a bit high, expecting to get talked down, no one contacts you--if you list it for the lowest you'd sell it for, people still offer less. I've sold one thing on CL so far, but it was for less than I wanted. Ebay has its perils too (most notably charging you when your item doesn't sell, which was the case the last time I used it).
I actually hope everyone reads your post and gets discouraged to use CL because I happened to have found great success in shopping through CL. Perhaps I know the magical key words to plug in, but I have been pretty lucky that all 3 of the rare items I was searching for were still available. I think CL is awesome!