Need tips for selling on craigslist.

[prolesunited]

I'm going to be trying it for the first time and wanted to get any pointers from those who have been successful with it.

Also, when making the exchange, do you have people come to your house or do you meet them somewhere.

[jobycom]

1. Depends on what you are selling. If it's shippable

you'll get more on Ebay, usually.

If it's furniture or something else large and immovable, they have to come to your house. If it's portable and you don't want them to come to your house, offer to bring it to them.

Remember there are a lot of scams on Craigslist, so some of the buyers will want to come to your house because that will give them an indication that you are safe, that they could find you again if you ripped them off. Also, they are as nervous of you as you are of them, so they may not want you at their house. If it's an impersonal, unlikely-to-be-stolen-goods item, or if it's something that neither of you really care could be stolen, then meeting at a neutral place is fine. If it's a higher-priced item, they may want to see your house, or at least your car. Something so they feel you aren't trying to hide your identity from them.

As for selling it, take a decent picture or two, and describe it in enough detail that the buyer knows you know what you are selling. I look at bike ads all the time, for instance. If the seller doesn't know the brand or any description, I tend to wonder if it's stolen, or if it's damaged and so the seller is being deliberately vague. Also, mention why you are selling it--again, to make people feel you actually own the item, rather than having just swiped it off someone's back porch. When you see a single male selling three women's mountain bikes without knowing anything about them, you don't trust the seller. If it is something you bought just to sell, and don't have any real knowledge of it, say that, and mention how you acquired it. People will buy goods they think are stolen if they are impersonal and untraceable--say a laptop or watch--but they won't buy something that could be traced, like a bike or car, since you could run into the real owner of the bike while on a bikeride. So, think of what you would think reading the ad.

And watch for people scamming you. I never answer responses that are vague and don't even mention what I'm selling. I was selling a chaise lounge once, and I kept getting emails saying "Hi im interested in your furniture on Craigslist call me." or something vague like that. Once I got four identically worded emails for the same item, from four different addresses and names. If they don't even mention the item, they are not taking any time to even think about it. Most buyers ask at least one question about it, or at least mention the item. Sometimes this is just a dealer somewhere who thinks he can buy your item and sell it higher--nothing wrong with that. He's just scanning Craigslist for product. But sometimes it's an obvious scam opening.

Just some random advice. Hope something helps.

[prolesunited]

3. Lots of good tips

Nothing I'm trying to sell is over $50 in value, just household items and unworn clothing. I just don't want to mess with shipping and paypal and all the stuff with eBay. I don't use that site and it all seems very confusing.

I just need to dump a few things for some quick cash to pay some medical bills. I'm also thinking of doing plants and other garden things, so those wouldn't be easy to ship intact.

What kind of scam would it be to try to get people to call you?

[Shakespeare]

14. Your instincts will pick up on any potential scams.

One I always get is somebody wanting me to ship an item, usually with odd payment arrangements--I never, ever do that (if I want to go to the trouble of shipping, I'll use eBay).

I've sold tons of stuff on craigslist, and this is what I usually do:

1. Create separate ads for each item. If you don't get any nibbles after 2-3 days, post a new ad (they supposedly frown on that, but I've never had a problem doing it; I always try to change up the wording a little bit in case their filters are set to catch duplicates).

2. Always try to include pictures, and if relevent, measurements.

3. Take cash only (duh), and be prepared for people to show up and, OMG what a coincidence, only have slightly less than what you're asking on them in cash. "Oh, gee, I don't have $50--will you take $30?" They'll try to pressure you to drop the price; don't, unless you're 100% okay with doing so. I've turned away countless people who tried that crap--the worst was a girl who (allegedly) wanted to buy the big, heavy sleeper sofa I was selling, and only AFTER we struggled and huffed and puffed and got the thing outside did she suddenly get cold feet and want to offer me 1/3 the price. Fuck that, and fuck her (oh, was I ever pissed--and yep, I had to move that monster back in my apartment, because I wouldn't drop the price). Lesson learned: get the cash BEFORE you move anything bulky outside. Fortunately, somebody showed up two hours later, absolutely THRILLED to pay exactly what I asked for it.

4. If it's big and heavy, say so (and make clear that you won't deliver--believe me, somebody will ask). If it'll take more than one person to move it, say so. If it'll require a large vehicle to carry the item, say so about that, too (I've had people show up in compact cars, all disappointed because a full-size bookcase wouldn't fit in their car--morans).

Some items will sell at lightspeed, and others may take 2-3 attempts (or more) to get rid of. Good luck, and I hope you're able to sell everything!

[prolesunited]

16. Great info

I don't have anything big, but the moving tip is great. I so would have wanted to charge her for my time and trouble.

[jobycom]

15. Scams are the same as you'd find on EBay. The easiest to fall for

is where they give you a money order for more than the amount of the item, and ask for money back. Say, you sell a computer for $500, and they say they have a money order for $965.50. They will want you to deposit it in your bank, and once it is cleared, give them the difference back in cash. Sounds safe enough, which is why it works. But the money order or cashier's check will be fake, and once the bank learns this, usually two weeks later, they will charge your account back (most people don't realize they can do this), and you are out the computer, the cash, and the sale price.

Most are variations of that. They deposit something, want some money back, convince you that they are splendid people and there's no way you can lose out, and then clean you out.

Three simple rules: (and only the first really matters).

1) Never take anything but cash. If they want to write a check, make them go to their bank and get the money, no matter how nice they seem or what the excuse.

2) Never give them your bank account information or agree to let them wire you the money or anything else that allows them to deposit something into your account. That's how the Nigerian Scam works, and it happens surprisingly often. Remember, they really can cheat an honest man.

3) Never take any form of payment that you have to deposit--checks, money orders, cashier's checks, etc. Only cash.

Oh yeah, and don't give a credit card number or any information to anyone. If they want to do anything other than hand you cash and leave, something's wrong.

[prolesunited]

17. Maybe instead of selling stuff

I should just try running scams. :crazy:

Thanks for all the thought that went into your post.

[MineralMan]

4. Photos, descriptions

You can place up to four photos. On larger items, do so, with photos from all views.

Write clear, honest descriptions. Disclose any major flaws. Tell why you're selling, in basic terms. Don't skimp on words, people need information, and there's so much stuff on Craig's List that good descriptions are essential.

Expect no-shows, so don't delete your listing until the item's actually gone. Don't provide your telephone number, just let Craig's List email you through the anonymous mode. When people email, then provide your number, assuming the email sounds legit.

When possible arrange to meet away from your location, at a neutral place.

[Richardo]

2. I've only been a buyer - but here's what I look for:

Pics (with a tidy background - yes, it's petty, but dirty clothes, piles of stuff, etc is off-putting)
Price
Location (it's a big city - miles and convenience go to the 'is this a bargain?' calculation)
Good description (minimal misspellings)

On the misspelling thing: Mrs R searches on misspellings and sometimes finds great bargains no one else has because they don't know to look for "laminant" flooring, for example.


I've done both house exchanges and neutral ground transactions. As a largish guy I'm OK with that, but there's nothing wrong with asking someone to meet you somewhere public (unless you're selling a refrigerator or something.).

Hopw this helps - good luck!

[TBF]

5. My brother does well selling electronics on craigslist -

he says always meet them somewhere neutral (public) - parking lot of a fast food restaurant or something & tell them in advance to bring cash, not checks.

I sell on eBay and have done quite well with that. I once bought a great curio cabinet from a guy a couple hundred miles away & we met in the middle at a McDonald's. Cash transaction & it's a beautiful piece of furniture.

[prolesunited]

12. I'm going to try this before venturing into eBay

I don't have high enough value items or anything really unique to make it worthwhile. We'll see how it goes. Definitely cash only.

[TBF]

18. I sell my kids outgrown clothes on eBay for much more than garage sales & also sold household items

when we moved across the country. Craigslist seems awfully popular locally though, especially with things that are big (kids toys, bikes, etc...). My brother swears by it. Good luck!

[prolesunited]

19. I did a garage sale once

It was awful, like the people wanted to you to pay them to buy your stuff. I just started donating to charity after that, but now I'm my own charity. Thanks for the luck.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. Are you selling Blue-Jay? You might do better on Ebay.

:hide:

[prolesunited]

10. Maybe I could auction him here

after all, that's where I found him. :P

[Midlodemocrat]

13. I bid $5, $10 if he brings the snark.

[yy4me]

7. I have sold 4 times on Craigslist and my daughter has too.

We were very specific, took pictures and gave good descriptions. In order to make it worthwhile to a buyer, you have to be within a reasonable distance. For both of us, the sales were cash. We adhered to the Craigslist warning about the various scams. I was frightened to do this but found that when e-mailing back and forth to those interested, I felt better. Both of us had good transactions but the items were in demand and the postings seasonal.

I sold my patio set in June, and this fall, I sold some fireplace equipment.

I have a Bartley Tea Table kit on Craigslist now and have had only one reply from Texas. I'd love to sell it to him but there is no way he'd send cash(rightfully) and also no way for me to ship it.

I've had a couple of the generic replies about wanting my furniture, sending certified check, deleted those. I also keep getting one from some charity asking me to donate the table so they can sell it. Please, why do they think I'm selling it anyway. It was expensive and now there is no-one here to finish the kit.

I would not be frightened, you can always stand outside the door and do your transaction. No need to open your house. Can anyone wait with you?

[prolesunited]

11. Thanks for your advice

I'm not scared. I just want to be successful.

[Tektonik]

8. Include a face picture with that personal escort ad

:hide:

[prolesunited]

9. Hahaha

I don't think I would have much success with that even if I tried.