Craigslist101

 

For those of you who may not be aware, there is an internet black hole of sales people, hustlers, and straight-up crooks. This black hole is called Craigslist.

 

I have known a couple (yes, only a COUPLE) of people who purchased things from the classified ads on Craigslist and got a quality item. I’m not saying “It can’t happen”. However, the search for said item(s) can be exhausting.

 

In the past, I have even sold some quality items myself. It’s a little uncomfortable for both parties though. You’re essentially throwing the dice on what you are buying. The phrase “you get what you pay for” comes to mind when I have inquired on certain items. I feel like the exception to the rule for some reason. That reason?

 

Anything I’ve ever sold on Craigslist, aka CL, was factory sealed and in the original manufacturer’s packaging. One of the most recent items I tried to sell is a SLR camera, an extra lens, and wireless flash. Again, the items are brand new and have never been out of the box. I got the items as a present and I’m not much of a photographer. The whole package is $1500 (and some change). After the offers I received, I’m thinking I should rip the boxes apart and start practicing.

 

If you are selling anything brand new on Craigslist, expect to sell it for 30% (or less) of the current retail price. For my package listed above, my offers that came in topped out at $250. That doesn’t even buy the camera by itself! Now, if this was the only item I had tried to sell, or the first time such ludicrous offers had come in, I wouldn’t be so quick to judge.

 

Unfortunately, as I’ve snooped around making inquiries on items I was interested in, I have found that people on Craigslist being stereotypical cheap bastards. Don’t misunderstand; I’m not calling everyone on there a cheap bastard. On the other hand, if someone has an item they are selling that normally retails for $1500, and you offer $200, YOU ARE a cheap bastard.

That’s just the sales though. There are also classifieds for jobs and dating.

 

The jobs classifieds are full of “work at home” scams, so much that Craigslist puts up a big disclaimer telling you what to watch out for. Rather than somehow safeguard people from scam artists, they just throw up a quick message before you go off to the slaughter. I’m well educated and experienced in my field, and I’ve yet to ever receive a reply from anyone about a job.

 

The dating scene on Craigslist requires patience and a sense of humor. CL is the quintessential “watch out” website when it comes to dating and meeting people. I’m not saying it isn’t interesting though. You can post: M4M (male for male), M4F (male for female), F4F, M4MF (male for a couple, man, or woman), F4MF, and then there is the “T” for transgendered/transsexual. The M4M is the most popular I think.

 

Is there anything wrong with M4M action? Not in my book. Everyone has their own preference and I’m not about to start judging what floats your boat. Or am I? Yes, when men post ads to the effect of “discrete married male, looking to $%#$@ your @#$%#”, I think that’s a bit much.

 

There is no security on CL either. Anyone who can turn on a computer and type in the URL can view nasty pictures under the ads. So how is Craigslist policed? By fellow patrons. For each local area, there is a merry band of “usual suspects” that FLAG ads for whatever reason. Flagging an ad means that you click a hyperlink and it sends a notification to the webmaster that the ad needs to be reviewed for any number of reasons. From what I can tell, much of it is based on jealousy, animosity, or direct hatred and disagreement about anything.

 

So, try Craigslist, at your own risk. Based on my own experience, sticking to eBay gives you better protection, higher possibilities for items you are selling, and you’re dealing with a company that can and will be held liable for any serious damage (however that may come about).