CraigsList vs. Facebook Marketplace

[KennyG]

In the past, I've bought and sold things through CraigsList with only minor scammer annoyance. I've noticed a lot of people seem to be using FB now. I decided to sell a drywall lift I didn't need and posted it on both CL and FB Marketplace. On FB I got about 6 of the usual "Is it available?" responses that are always scams. However, I got 5 real replies in the first 3 hours ready to buy. I sold it to the first guy to show up about 4 hours after I listed it. I got no replies, not even scams on CL. It looks like FB may be taking over. I wonder if it's just my area or if others are seeing this?

 

[gstrom99]

I've had the same experience. FB seems to get much better action (as a seller) than CL now. I'm rural now (FB), was in Chicago (CL). When buying, I still look at both.

 

[scootr]

I've been a CL buyer and seller for many years. Lately I'm looking at FB also.

 

[sea2summit]

Yeah, CL is pretty dead. But I hate marketplace, don’t show me what you think I want to see just show me what I freaking put in the search bar! And while you’re at it show me in the area I asked you to search, the snowblower in Alaska does me no good!

 

[fruitcakesa]

I’m pretty much 100% FB as I find in my rural part of Vermont CL just doesn’t have the coverage where FB is more locally oriented. There’s always scammers, you just have to be alert.

 

[ernemats]

I also used to do Craigslist to buy and sell things but like others have said facebook marketplace seems to get better results and also more scammers

 

[2manyrocks]

FB seems to be more active than CL so far as equipment listings in my area of middle Tennessee.

 

[2515R Dude]

I think it depends on the area, when I was living in SFBA the CL was the thing and i never heard of FBMP, i even did not have FB account but when i moved to KY, no one heard of CL, everything is FBMP.

 

[caver]

One nice thing about area listings on FB is you may share a mutual friend which lets me know they likely aren't a scammer. More and more people are hiding their friends list so it's not like it was a few years ago.

 

[riptides]

At least on FB you can investigate the person a little if you choose depending on if they are the buyer or seller. CL not so much. That said...I still use both.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

When I lived in CT, it was always CL. Moved to NEK VT and I only use FB, I can look into their profile to "judge a book by it's cover". That works for me. Only bought/sold to good people, unlike CL, it was a blind meeting...

 

[bmaverick]

I've had the worse time with FB people, and the best buying and selling of on CL. On FB, people just beat the price down on you. If you hold your own, they say they are still interested, make a day and time, then never show up. Not once have I had any CL people do that. FB has happened countless of times.

 

[Hay Dude]

FB has way more inventory for sale and more “action”. CL seems more geared to the “old guard” (hey I’m joining the old guard, too).
FB has more tire kickers & low ballers.
CL has pretty much died in my area, but still hangin in there.

 

[bigtiller]

I sold my 10 year old 54" snowblower last week on Craig's List for $2850. I listed it after lunch and had the cash in my hand and before lunch the next day. This guy was the only looker, and surprisingly , there were no spammers.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Craigslist around here tends to be ridiculously overpriced.

 

[scootr]

I notice every time inflation rears it's head the prices on CL skyrocket... I bet none of that stuff is selling

 

[5030]

Living where we do (with colleges in both directions fairly close, CL is more about people looking for ****** stuff than selling stuff. Lots of personal ad's always on there. I still prefer CL simply because FB, like Goggle, plays the analytic game constantly, one reason I have a VPN actually

I much prefer Tractor House and Sandhills and they list everything, not just ag related stuff.

 

[kozal01]

Didn't know CL still existed, quit using it years ago.

 

[5030]

I notice every time inflation rears it's head the prices on CL skyrocket... I bet none of that stuff is selling

People always assume their turd stuff is really a silk purse. That applies not only to CL but FBMP as well. Most of them cannot spell right either. I think that is a national disease actually.

 

[newbury]

I still try and use CL but FBM has seemingly run them out of business.
FBM has no valid search features, I try to search by distance and get results across country. Searching by price is useless.
Luckily I spent most of my "mad money" on tractors and equipment before CL went into the sewer.
FBM is too "phone oriented" and has to many mindless idiots for me to deal with. Often prices are higher than retail for the items I'm on the watch for (pallet racking, tractor attachments, tools).