Craig's List: Is reading a lost art ?

[California]

In your ad declare 'send me your phone # via CL's reply feature'. Ignore anyone who can't follow instructions. Phone anyone who provides their number and doesn't sound like a scammer.

This weeds out 90% of the troublesome people.

But I had one guy probably as old as I am who kept emailing me unreasonable lowball offers on a tractor. He finally gave up after my last reply was this:

 

[Gunny]

What is also bad are the posters who describe an item, then state "phone calls only, no texts, no email", then they don't list their phone number.

 

[Shaneard]

I had someone text me the other day about an item I have for sale on craigslist. They said they would take it, knew right away it was a scammer. I ask, don't you want to see some pictures of it first? They said yes, email them to xxxxxxxxx, I said how about just looking at the ad where you got my phone # from because there are 9 photos there. Never heard from them again.

 

[kcflhrc]

I would never, ever list my phone # on CL. E-mail relay is the only real way to weed out some of the BS. But you still get some of it even then.

 

[RobertBrown]

Selling something on CL requires a lot of patience. I think the rate of responses to sales is greater than 20-1.
You just have keep reposting and responding, if you item is sellable...eventually it will go.
You have to remember that CL is a magnet for people with a whole bunch of time on their hands.

 

[Shaneard]

I would never, ever list my phone # on CL. E-mail relay is the only real way to weed out some of the BS. But you still get some of it even then.

I always put mine on there. I enjoy messing with them. After about 3 times they stop. It's funny the things they say, I guess when they think they got you their English goes down hill quick. Any area code I don't recognize is an immediate red flag. It's also a red flag when they say they want an item and will send a cashiers check when the ad says cash only.

 

[zzvyb6]

Part of the problem is Smartphone related. Screens too small to see details, auto-correct on descriptive words, StupidPeople on smartphones, phishers, scammers, conn artists and small children using them, too.

But, I do get to sell and buy regularly on Craigslist. Cell phone only after they make verbal contact so I have a number. Sell with REALLY GOOD pictures, and a message about the item is not an "it" for the "do U stil hav it" crowd. To buy, I want an address, look up in tax records to get a real name if possible, search Google for any other issues, Facebook and Zabasearch.com, look at "other items for sale", and take into consideration what the item is.

 

[jerrybob]

I put a dishwasher up for sale on Craigslist a few years ago.......a guy called me and asked what her name was.

 

[Shaneard]

People get me asking new price for used.......stuff. I was looking for a 7' boxblade, saw one on the c-list and text the guy about it. It was slightly used and missing 3 shanks, he wanted within $100 of a new one. I ask about the missing shanks and he said he didn't have them. I said what's your best cash price? He wouldn't budge. I said thank you and went and bought a new one. If you have to spend $100 on the 3 missing shanks you'd be better off buying a new one. Some people just don't get it.

 

[comancheflight]

I bought that dishwasher and she was broke. Couldn't even turn it on.