Craigslist

SouthernNights

Past South Carolina Chapter Leader
I had never used craigslist to sell anything but had always heard good things about.

So a couple of weeks ago I posted a single item just to get used to their system. While I never got any response from the item, I thought the education on using their form was good.

We have alot of stuff to sell so I set up an email account just for craigslist stuff. Rather than buyers having to go through an anonymous email I inserted the new craigslist email into the ad. I had seen quite a few ads run this way so I thought it was the thing to do.


Well, I was really really wrong. Over the weekend after posting quite a few items on craigslist I have not received any serious inquires but have been bombarded with spam from people who think I am loosing my house and want to show me how to make money at home. Even had one that wanted to sell me a case of the "blue pill" at a really reduced rate.

I have to say I am really shocked and surprised at the amount of spam. Dont these people have jobs?? Or am I just naive?

Has anybody else experienced this or am I just lucky? Was it wrong to provide a direct email??
Or should I just go back to EBAY?

Man I hate selling stuff. Wish there was someone out there that could do all this for me.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Larry,

At the rally at Michael Kidd's session on Thursday, he told us that some spammers employ people who's sole job it is to post spam on forums. That in some cases, they get paid for each CAPTCHA image they decode or each post they make on a forum with their porn links or imitation Rolex watch links etc.

Suppose the same is true for email spamming. Every email harvested is worth so many pennies to some spam outfits. I suppose the cost is so minimal that for every x thousands of emails sent, just one sale is worth it. I remember the pre-spam days. Oh how I long for them :)

Consider having an auction. I know several Heartlanders who have done this. John and Sue Morgan did this before they began full-timing and sold the house, the shop, the tools and all the belongings they no longer needed.

I too hear good results from Craig's list. Consider trying again with a hidden email or whatever the standard process is. Hope you can move some stuff :)
 
Re: Using Craigslist

I have sold a boat and a pickup truck tailgate on Craigs list. Both with little effort. I did it without listing a email or phone number. They had to leave their email with Craigs list and then I would contact the potential buyer. I have an email address that I use for things like buying on the internet and when I fill out a form and then need an email address. That way I am not bombarded with spam on the primary email. The primary email is only for my family and close friends. You can get a free email to use for outside purposes from Gmail or hotmail.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Jim, belive it or not we have already talked with an auctioneer about the stuff and the house. Auctioning the stuff doesn't scare me but not sure about the house.

I know you can do a minimum reserve but I think I will stick with the traditional method for now.

As you said, I guess the spammers have it email too.


Jmgratz, I got a free email with AOL. That is where our other emails are through. The first thing I listed through craigslist a few weeks ago I used their service but did not recieve any responses. I thought that may have been a hinderance-but I see now maybe not.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Thought this was somewhat funny-and not ha ha funny. It is a response from one of the craigslists post.
Does this person really think I am going to be interested in anything a bum like him has got to say...

"I'm just laying here, calm, feeling pleasantly drunk, listening to the best song I have ever heard in my whole life. I told my step mom I would be living the sweet life and she said I wouldn't make it. That I was an idiot. That I was a (insert your own bad word here)nobody. Now look at me, making over $9,000 a month in my room and spending 80% of the day in my swimming pool.

I am going to do ya a huge favor. If you've ever had to struggle, and I mean really endure **** just to survive then we come from the same place. You need to go get this ASAP:"

And then he gives a web site to visit. If he is making money on this like Jim said, what does that say about his audience?
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Having bought and sold on Craig's list, I have found out only use there email. Only accept cash and meet in a public place. Don't give out any extra information.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Friend of mine sold a truck on Craig's List. I rolled behind him in my car. I stayed in the car with a special friend in the car in case things got freaky in this cash for truck deal ;) All went well.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Here in the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex there are serveral "E-bay stores" that will sell your stuff for you on eBay. Yes they take a cut... 40%. But they do everything! Research the market, help you with a listing bid, take all the pics, handle all the inquiries, handle the money transactions, and all the packing and shipping. Since they do this all the time, they have tons of experience and excellent feedback, as a trusted seller... Giving your sale more credibility. We decided to sell a few items recently... They were backlogged, so the items aren't listed yet... But when they are, they'll send me the info so I can watch the item. If it doesn't sell, there are options. Re-list, re-price, donate your item or come pick it up.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

I've had good luck with craigslist. Both buying and selling. I use their e-mail reply option. I do get a spam attempt or 2 but usually I can tell right off it's spam and don't even open.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Just a follow up on my craigslist listings that I think is interesting.
Once all my listings (7 of them) got off the "front page" all the spam stopped like someone shut a switch off.

Of course I still haven't had any serious inquires either.

I guess maybe I will go back to EBAY. I have been pretty lucky with them, I just dont like all the charges they have.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Ok, here is another follow up on my Craigslist listings. Some very strange things have happened with "My Account' I am sure it is because of my inexperience and I have probably done something wrong. So, for everyone that has used Craigslist, maybe you can tell me what I have done wrong and I can correct it.

I originally listed four items. I actually did sell one item yesterday. Neat feeling.

Of the three items I had left, one of the listings just diassapeared from my account on Friday. When I went back to the email folder where I had saved each listing I made, I opened up that particular item. It said that the posting had been deleted by it's author. UHHMM, no it wasn't but some one did.

Then yesterday when I checked "My account", I had two listings that were not mine. One was a boat and the other a four wheeler. I still had two of my listings show up also.

This morning, I checked "My account", I now have two more items that are not mine and both of my listings that I had left are gone. I know my listings did not time out. They had only been there for 7 days and it craigslist says they run for 45 days unless deleted. Even after deleting a post, Craigslist syas that it will still remain in the "My account' listings. All my items are just gone.

Obviously my account and someone else's account has been compromised. Is this some kind of scam or is this just a glitch in Craigslist's software?

Would it be best to start over with a new account at this point. Never having used Craigslist before I need some advice.

Thanks.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

I tried Craigs list and had the same problem with the spam. Tried to sell a few items and nly one sold. Put the other's on Ebay and sold them with no problems.

Ted
 

DW_Gray

Well-known member
Re: Using Craigslist

Well I've never used Craigslist to buy or sell anything but I did use it to find my wife, Amy.

With anything on the internet, buying or selling, be careful. If it appears a little fishy, it probably is. If the person has a very bad spelling or grammar, avoid them.
 
Re: Using Craigslist

Craigslist is like almost anything in life.... it has its pros and cons. As long as your careful and always deal in person, it can be a great resource. I have sold numerous items including my last truck, hitch etc. I even sold my last fifith wheel for more than I paid for it. God is so GOOD!
 

wdk450

Well-known member
Re: Using Craigslist

I would FLAG any bogus listing made in my name and report this activity to Craigslist.
Mostly, I like Craigslist and use their e-mail option. Being a Californian, I am dismayed with the amount of "medical" mariujuana advertised in the health and beauty sections. That section also frequently has ads selling prescription pain relievers and the like (illegal).
 

SouthernNights

Past South Carolina Chapter Leader
Re: Using Craigslist

It has been a year and a half since I started this thread. I have to say the scammers on Craigslist are getting bolder.

Had a guy send me his phone number. Called him up. He wanted my bank account number so he could wire the money-the whole $30.00.

Yup-let me get right on that pal...sheeesh.
 

pegmikef

Well-known member
Re: Using Craigslist

I sold a lawn tractor a while ago and got an email from someone who wanted all my information so he could have his "secretary" put the money in my account. Yeah, right . . . that's why I use the anonymous feature.
 
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