Why do people bother posting on Craigslist?

[thiswaythatway]

I emailed someone 5 days ago about a guitar. Asked if it was available, if they took Paypal and if they would ship it. Yesterday I miraculously got a one word response! Yes. I was thinking yes to what? To one of my questions or all 3? I have sent 2 emails since asking again about shipping and Paypal and no response. It seems if I send 5 emails out asking about gear I'll get one solid seller, 1 flake, and the other 3 won't respond. WTF.

You would think if they took the 5 minutes of their lives to post an ad they could spend 10 seconds answering an email. And if they sold the thing would it hurt to take the 2 seconds to delete the ad?

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Sometimes you get lucky and you get somoene that's actually motivated to sell something. I don't know what it is about CL. Maybe it's just the poor interface or something that just seems to do something to people.

I tried to sell some Weathertech mats for a 2013 highlander. Got a 2015 and they wouldn't fit. So they were in Exc condition, I put them up for $65

Now there is a picture of them and as well it stated in the ad, "BLACK."

First email?
"What color are they?"

Second email
"Will you take $50 for them?"

Response
"No, price is firm, as it says in the ad"

Third email
"Ok, I come tomorrow, Fifty dollar"

My response
"No, you go to http://www.weathertech.com and fucking buy new ones for $200 + shipping, BYE"

Rule #1
If you can't type in coherent ENGLISH sentences, your email gets deleted. I broke my rule by even talking with this sloth.

 

[cecilbag]

I don't even try with CL anymore. It's just a turd hunt.

 

[Steinmetzify]

There are guys in my city that actually throw up nice gear for decent prices...bought stuff from all of them and been satisfied and I have either an alert set up for when they list or they'll shoot me a text to see if I'm looking for anything.

Rest of it is a joke.....LTD256s for $800 and shit. Please.

 

[Riggins1966]

I'm going through the same thing right now. Sent 3 emails so far, flat out telling the guy the price is good, I live nearby and have cash on hand... no answer.

I chalk it up to some lazy bastard that already sold it and is too F'ing lazy to take the ad down.

 

[Webb]

To play devils advocate, maybe the seller saw a couple red flags in your email and wrote you off as a scammer.

I've had pretty good luck with my local Craigslist, but whenever I list something I get the usual "Is the item still available?" emails. Most times I just click delete and move on. Not saying that's the case here but just looking at it from a different perspective.

 

[James Lugo]

I'm not totally sure it's a CL thing, it seems like selling gear has gotten harder over the years. A lot of low ballers and traders.

 

[Chris O]

I still throw stuff on there. It can be irritating as fuck, but its exposure I guess. I do okay there, but the failure rate is probably about 80-90%.

Then again, nothing moves here, soooo...

 

[Pushead]

One thing I've noticed about Craigslist (or perhaps it's just me), is I have a problem with my gmail address. Some buyers would send me a note, and I'd respond using my gmail. A few days later I'd receive another question from the same guy with the same question. Sometimes buyers would get it, sometimes not. I started using my work e-mail address and never had a problem (with replies.)

Of course, there's still the normal Craigslist weirdos, nothing the e-mail address can do about that.

 

[Riggins1966]

To play devils advocate, maybe the seller saw a couple red flags in your email and wrote you off as a scammer.

I've had pretty good luck with my local Craigslist, but whenever I list something I get the usual "Is the item still available?" emails. Most times I just click delete and move on. Not saying that's the case here but just looking at it from a different perspective.

That's why I always mention the name of the item they're selling, my local location (relative to theirs), and my phone number. If they can text or call and actually speak to me then they'll know it's not a scam.

 

[Chris6870]

A lot of replies go to the spam folder. They may not even be getting them. I have to remember to check there when I'm running an ad.

 

[Racerxrated]

Its still worth it for me as I seem to find steals here and there. For all the kids who think they're gonna sell their esp LTD for the list price new there's a few gems to be had. Right now there's a Tremoverb on Mpls clist for 700. Pretty good price.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I'm not totally sure it's a CL thing, it seems like selling gear has gotten harder over the years. A lot of low ballers and traders.

+1

 

[thiswaythatway]

To play devils advocate, maybe the seller saw a couple red flags in your email and wrote you off as a scammer.

I've had pretty good luck with my local Craigslist, but whenever I list something I get the usual "Is the item still available?" emails. Most times I just click delete and move on. Not saying that's the case here but just looking at it from a different perspective.

What red flags do you see in, "Hey do you still have the Charvel, would you ship it and do you take Paypal" ?

 

[shreder75]

CL still has gear listings? I thought it was strictly for setting up clandestine sexual meetings at rest stops. Boy I've been out of the loop.

 

[Webb]

To play devils advocate, maybe the seller saw a couple red flags in your email and wrote you off as a scammer.

I've had pretty good luck with my local Craigslist, but whenever I list something I get the usual "Is the item still available?" emails. Most times I just click delete and move on. Not saying that's the case here but just looking at it from a different perspective.

What red flags do you see in, "Hey do you still have the Charvel, would you ship it and do you take Paypal" ?

Red flags for me would be:

Do you still have it? (Although at least you mentioned what the "it" is)
Would you ship it?
Do you take PayPal?

In my experience, those questions are usually followed with nonsense 8 out of 10 times. Something along the lines of "Unfortunately I just got shipped out to sea but don't worry, my agent will pick it up."

I would never ship to someone off Craigslist but that's just me. Not worth the potential headache.

 

[Faldoe]

Prior to the crash in 08' gear was selling super easy on craigslist.

I've gotten many deals on their and sold lots of stuff with no issues. It will likely vary in results depending on location.

 

[Chris O]

I would never ship to someone off Craigslist but that's just me. Not worth the potential headache.

No different than any other place really. Especially if you already have the money. eBay is a bigger potential headache IMO...never mind the "new buyers" you find on forums. Or the guy who bumps a 5-year-old thread because of a Google search. You sell ANYWHERE on the 'net, and you always have some risk. I've had more luck on CL than here...just sayin'...

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Prior to the crash in 08' gear was selling super easy on craigslist.

I've gotten many deals on their and sold lots of stuff with no issues. It will likely vary in results depending on location.

I have in the past. Lately I feel like CL people are the cheapest fucks on the planet. I can't stand misers.

 

[petejt]

Gumtree is just the same in Australia. It's pretty much the Aussie equivalent of Craigslist. Full of dipshits, time wasters, and idiots. They'll either demand a ridiculously high price, or grossly undersell.

It's even worse trying to find boarders and subtenants to lease rooms to...