Power Sellers Unite

suburbantreasure · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 250

Last week we put our dear 16 year old pup to sleep after she had a stroke which paralyzed her back legs. We have four kids -all of whom really miss having a dog. They haven't been able to play with her for the past couple of years, but they just miss her being here.

I haven't told them yet, but I started looking around on Craigslist for another dog who needs a home. Both our dogs in the past have been shelter rescues. I was hoping to possibly find a dog on craiglist before its owners have to resort to putting it in a shelter.

This has been very eye opening to me. Never have I seen such hostility in my life. Every post for someone trying to re-home a dog gets removed almost instantly by "flaggers" - , even with an adoption fee (which IS allowable by Craigslist, and asking an adoption fee helps increase the chances that the pet is going to someone who is serious and not doing animal research, etc.)

Now I find out that all it takes is three flags to remove a post automatically! These postings seem to last literally SECONDS! Then they are gone. Then the animal rescue people jump on and post a public "response" to the ad to the person trying to re-home a dog -screaming that they are terrible for trying to give them away, etc., etc., and how they will keep flagging because it's "for the dogs!" , etc.

My question is, why are these animal rights people sitting there all day doing nothing else but flagging posts for people who want to find a new home for their dogs? The cats and kittens seem to stay there, but not the dog ones.

Don't these people know that they are increasing the animal's chance of ending up in a shelter? I had hoped to adopt a dog BEFORE it has to be traumatized in a shelter. I know that my two dogs were traumatized from their shelter experiences, and I would hope to spare another dog from that. So why is there so much hostility in that particular area? Don't animal rights people want these dogs re-homed rather than someone who's looking for a pet to run to the pet store or breeder?

And is there nothing on craigslist that prevents someone from hitting that flag button three times and getting a post removed (since it's automatic?)

Doesn't seem quite fair.

Shieldr · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 32

I think it has to be three separate users for a listing to get pulled. Also, I wouldn't discount the possibility of local certified pet breeders in your area possibly using unscrupulous tactics to remove perceived competition (kind of like what's happening on ebay with the new FB changes).

galateasheirlooms · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 268

Ack too bad you don't live in Indiana. I have a puppy I need to rehome. Craigslist only requires the offending flagger to close the browser and clean the cookies to knock the post off in three tries. I experimented with one of my own posts and found this to be true a few months ago. Try hoobly, domestic sale, and *gasp* kijiji to find pets. Also Backpage has a pets section if there is a lively group in your area but look out for scams from overseas.

campu2 · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 334

Craigslist only requires the offending flagger to close the browser and clean the cookies to knock the post off in three tries.

I don't doubt this. I've had posts flagged off within
minutes. I assumed it was one flagger using some
technique to delete posts.

Too bad. CL has been my favorite site for a few years
but its getting to be more trouble than its worth.

No easy answer, as I know the site would be flooded
with spam if there was no flagging.

I believe if the flaggers user name was displayed it
would eliminate 90% of the BS on craigslist.

One thing I'm certain of...I will never use Kijiji

Dixie_Collections · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Baton Rouge

Try PetFinder.com. A lot of shelters and rescue groups use it. You can search by location, dog size, gender and age.

galateasheirlooms · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 268

Pet finder also has a classified ads section of pets not cared for by rescues.

suburbantreasure · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 250

thanks. I was hoping for craiglist since it's more well known. Today I went to respond to an ad that seemed perfect and by the time I responded (within seconds) the ad was flagged. People keep posting "why is everyone flagging all the ads??" So I missed out on this doggie and have no way to contact the owner.
I guess I'll keep plugging away, but this seems to be a serious flaw in their system. I mean, I guess without it, it would be overrun with spam.

IllinoisGal · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 203

Petfinder is the one i recommend. They have all kinds of dogs - pedigree and mutts. That's where I plan to get my next dog. They have cats, horses, etc.

Joyce

things4u · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 1329

as it reads in C L 'S terms of service
Household pets of any kind including but not limited to dogs, cats, primates, cage birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish. Re-homing with small adoption fee OK
Pet animal parts, blood, or fluids - including but not limited to stud/breeding service

campu2 · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 334

I guess I'll keep plugging away, but this seems to be a serious flaw in their system.

One simple solution would be raising the number
of flags it takes for posts to be deleted.

Deleting posts with 2 or 3 flags just caters to the
kind of people who get some kind of kick out of
flagging posts for "fun".

Until they make some changes, I'm done with Craigslist.

smvreeland · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Are you tired of getting flagged on craigslist? I have come up with a way to avoid flagging and I can help you. I guarantee results!! I can optimize your ad so that even if it gets flagged it will come up on google's first page when you type in your specified keywords and your hometown. The real beauty of this system is that flagging actually helps you! As long as your ad is legitimate I can help you, or I can create a professional ad for you! Stop your competition from using auto flag programs to hurt your business. Contact me at www.illsellitforyounow.com.

Flaggers Suck!
I Hate Flagging!
Craigslist Should Limit Flagging Just Like Ad Posting!

BradMajors · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 59

Some people have flagged ads because they contained a large picture and it took too long for the ad to load. Job ads have been removed because the salary was too low.

... some people have way too much spare time. And some people have low self esteem and ending other person's ads gives themselves a sense of power and self worth.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

I'm not super active on the local rfreecycle group here (freecycle.org - I think), but there are often posts looking to rehome a pet. I've seen dogs, cats, small animals, etc.

If there is a freecycle in your area, it may be worth a look....

Good luck and so sorry for your loss - those fur-babies sure do tug at our hearts - eh? :( :(

suburbantreasure · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 250

Thanks! We did finally get a mixed breed puppy from a local family, along with three shelter bound cats from a co-worker (nothing like overcompensating for a loss!) It seems that there are a lot of animal rights activists on Craigslist who don't want to see pets rehomed, especially dogs. The shelter ads remain active however. It was explained to me also, that there a few unscrupulous animal organizations that operate at a profit and flag out the free rehoming ads. Really sad since those that aren't able to be rehomed end up going through the trauma of having to go to a shelter.

purple_reading_giraffe · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 5485 Location: Indiana, USA

If anyone comes along later - PetClassifieds.us might be a place to look. 8,000+ listings with a good search.