We love Craigslist, but sometimes it feels like a badly behaved lover.
Craigslist requires constant maintenance and you never know if you're going to get a call back. But, just often enough, you end up with a real peach.
We've been on the lookout for a dogproof slipcovered sofa. We spied one at IKEA (the MYSINGE) that would do the trick. But why buy one for $399 new, we thought, when we could be a bit more green by keeping the same, albeit slightly used, sofa from going to the dump by doing some searching on Craigslist?
Well, we don't yet have a sofa... but we do have four tips for keeping Craigslist from breaking your heart:
•When your lover calls, you need to be there, and fast: arrange transportation in advance. If you're after a bulky item, sign up for FlexCar or another car sharing service, do a favor for a friend, or put the number of the minivan taxi service on speed dial.
• Keep your lover from running off with another: use RSS to get the latest listings right away. There used to be a few downloadable programs and websites that would do an automatic search of Craigslist for you... but no more. Apparently the folks over at Craigslist didn't like these programs, so the best thing to do now is to set up an RSS feed. If you're unfamiliar with RSS, there's a video explaining how it works with Google Reader. If you need a step-by-step guide, there's a great tutorial over at Getting Finances Done that shows you how to get a Craigslist search into the program Bloglines.
• Your lover needs a personal touch: call, don't email. The more determined you are to get the item, the more likely it will have sold by the time your email reaches the seller. (This seems to be the governing law of Craigslist.) Increase your chances by picking up the phone and calling. Most sellers who are serious about selling will list a phone number.
• Lovers like promises: trade exclusivity in return for a full price offer. No matter how many digital photographs you've seen, it's still not the same as seeing the item in person. If it's something you really want, offer to pay full price in cash… on the condition that the seller tells others its sold and that the item meets your approval when you see it. This is a good way to force the hand of someone who may have "forgotten" to mention that strange spot or musty odor that just won't wash out.
What are your strategies for dealing with Craigslist? We'd love to hear any stories: good, bad, or other...
Image via sxc.hu. Lover metaphor via the work of Jennifer Aaker.
I email if I think I (or anyone else who's asked me to keep an eye open) might be interested, rather than waiting to be 100% sure. If anyone else is involved (in a communal space with roommates, potentially needing a ride to pick it up, sent the initial email on someone else's behalf), I will forward what I sent on to them.
Perhaps it's just me, but I don't bargain. I won't email if the price is outrageous.
I'm also trying to get in the habit of using the Craigslist "send to a friend" feature because some people take down the listing once they've received a response, which makes it hard to remember and/or comparison shop.
Even with this, I miss out on at least 9/10 of what I send emails for. But I suppose that's sort of the fun.
view wordling's profile
Having listed many itmes on Craigslist, and having bought many items from Craigslist, what seems to work the best when getting a response, is to email ASAP... even if you still have to talk to your significant other about the item.
Seem happy... use exclamation points, tell people you have the best spot ever to give that couch a good home in, about how you almost came unhinged when you saw that Danish Modern chair and how you must have it!
People who are parting with things, want them to go to someone who will love them as much as they did. And even if you email first sometimes, if it wasn't with a smile, then you might be overlooked!
view sarahrae's profile
Every time I've tried to buy something big (a sofa) from Craigslist I've been unceremoniously dumped after promises of "you've got it." The last time the guy didn't even call to let me know, so I was on my way to his house, with my very nice friend with a truck, when I called to tell him we'd be there in a few minutes. That's when he told me he'd sold it.
And that's when I decided to just buy a new couch.
view jennifer in sf's profile
Having listed on CL often, I hate and loathe and despise and abhor the people who email enthusiasm, set up a pick-up time, get directions... then never show up or call to say they're not coming. If you're going to email before you know if you really want it, please inform the hapless seller when you change your mind!
In my experience, there is never any point in accepting a lower price or accommodating a buyer's schedule, as the more the buyer demands and gets in the preliminary exchange of emails, the more likely he/she is to just never show up at all. Once you're two hours late without notifying me, I sell to someone else.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
I've had great experiences buying on CL, including my sofa - I called (from work no less) about 5 minutes after the ad was posted and picked it up the next day, but selling is a different matter. I tried to sell a dog crate, but people were terribly flaky. Eventually I just gave it away (not on CL). As far as I'm concerned, potential buyers get a thirty minute window. If they haven't arrived/called by then I proceed to go about my day.
I second wordling about (not) bargaining. Part of that's just my personality, but I also think that people who are asking outrageous prices for stuff are not worth dealing with.
On a seperate note, I get a lot of enjoyment from the descriptions that people use for furniture items. "Designer" seems to be code for ugly/bizarre eighties style, for example. There's some very funny stuff out there.
view Caitlin in Seattle's profile
I have had good experiences on craig lists. However, I never go alone to look at something. In addition, when I am selling something, I always make sure someone is with me.
I also believe if you like something do not wait. Many times I have waited and it was sold by the time I decided to go look at it.
Another place to look is a new site, UsedFurniturefindex, http://www.usedfurniturefindex.com/. It was started by an interior designer for people to get rid of their once loved possessions. It has an amazing search tool on how to find furniture. It is a new site so check it out. If they do not have what you want, keep checking like Craig's List.
In my area there is alot of outdated furniture on craig's list that does not appeal to me. I mostly look for antiques or 1920s through 1950s pieces. anna http://www.green-talk.com
view greentalk's profile
"Most sellers who are serious about selling will list a phone number."
No. Sellers who have no problem with people wasting their cell phone minutes list a phone number. Buyers -- or, most often, freecyclers -- who e-mail me to insist that I call them (thanks, I love paying long-distance charges so that you can have my stuff, or just insist that you want my stuff and then never show) tick me off.
Blech.
view subbes's profile
Most sellers who are serious about selling will list a phone number.
How did I miss that one?
You don't get my phone number without an email exchange. Period. If not doing the equivalent of scrawling my phone number on a restroom wall means I'm not "serious" about selling, then I'm not serious.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
I've had great experiences with craigslist- as a seller and a buyer (I even sold my apt on CL!).
I wouldn't buy a used sofa however, as it might come with bedbugs and there's really no way of knowing until your whole apt is infested. Just don't risk it; pay $399 for the Ikea one.
view Eliza's profile
I always go on craiglist when i am looking for a deal. My last discovery was Ecosofadesign.com in San fransisico area. Their prices are too low to be true. Has anyone bought from them before?
view jessme's profile