Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17235 Location: Texas

US online traffic to classified advertising websites increased 84% in February 2009 compared with February 2008, according to a report from Hitwise, which said the industry experienced positive month-to-month growth in share of visits in all but one month in the past three years.

Interest in classifieds appears to have increased as the state of the US economy has worsened, writes MarketingCharts. Visits to classifieds websites continued to climb — up 28% from December 2008 to February 2009 — as cash-strapped consumers seek to sell off personal items, or troll classifieds to obtain deals at "fire sale" deals.

Number of Websites Growing Too

In addition to capturing more visits, the industry is also growing in number of websites. In February 2009, Hitwise reported on 1,048 websites in the classifieds industry, compared with 814 in February 2008. Much of the growth is from localization of existing classifieds offerings, in particular the addition of Craigslist properties, the report said.

To better understand and communicate the category's growth, Hitwise created two custom categories within its report: Craigslist Cities, which includes more than 300 local versions of Craigslist; and All Other Classifieds. The following chart plots the market share of US visits to these two categories over the past year:
more.. link to news article

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

Thanks for posting elgato - this does support what several here at PSU have said - CL is booming. I guess it's time to diversify it up and make more room in my 'area' for stuff!! :shock: :shock:

fatseal · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Posts: 555

I hear so many people doing well at Craig's list, and I want to sell there, but I have no luck. And I got a little spooked after some responses after I put the car seat up for sale.

Californiacool · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 50

I love Craigslist ! I've sold @ $2000 worth of items in the past year - it's BOOMING!!

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17235 Location: Texas

Californiacool wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I love Craigslist ! I've sold @ $2000 worth of items in the past year - it's BOOMING!!

That is impressive CAcooll!

Appears I need to prowl on back over the CL and update my stuff . Problem with me is I live so far away from any towns/cities I have to offer shipping services which apparently turn some CL buyers off.

Suggestions for this country Cat?

lnbkarrett · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

I'm hearing so many things about Craigslist booming.

Do folks with stores just post their product with a link to their store or do you put up a personal phone number?

I put only a few things up but only with a link to my store and no luck....wondering if the folks with success are putting their phone # and local pick up?

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

lnbkarrett wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I'm hearing so many things about Craigslist booming.

Do folks with stores just post their product with a link to their store or do you put up a personal phone number?

I put only a few things up but only with a link to my store and no luck....wondering if the folks with success are putting their phone # and local pick up?

Putting a link to your store is a violation of CL's Terms & Conditions and is the fastest way to get your ad flagged for removal. In fact, store links are one of the scams CL warns people about.

Remember, CL is intended to be your local neighborhood classifieds. Most of the items I pick up (for resale) there come about through the use of email initially, then a phone call. If I see a link to somebody's website, I immediately flag the ad for removal.

But Oodle, on the other hand, allows links to your webstore.

lnbkarrett · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

Wow- so all the sales are through local pick up? Do you ever ship - if so how do you arrange payment before hand ~ check?

Thanks- reading this has been helpful- I've also been browsing ads.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

lnbkarrett wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Wow- so all the sales are through local pick up? Do you ever ship - if so how do you arrange payment before hand ~ check?

Thanks- reading this has been helpful- I've also been browsing ads.

In my area (Detroit) and the categories that I spend time looking at (CDs/DVDs/VHS), most of the ads are for local pickup, cash only. Upon occasion somebody will mention the possibility of shipping the item, in which case, they usually state payment via Paypal.

The biggest mistakes I see sellers making are they include a link to another site in their ad, or they simply want to renew the ad on a daily basis (CL requires at least 48 hours between repostings) to keep it from getting buried.

And for me, the biggest mistake they'll make is to state in the headline that they have 150 CDs for sale, then not list what they are. When you email them, they'll tell you to call them, since they don't have the time to list each item, but they won't mind going over them countless times on the phone?

Or they have hundreds of movies for sale, and you find out, it's all adult films, again a violation of CL's T&C.

And I love those sellers who put a price in the heading and then contradict it in the body of the ad. For example, the ad will start out with....

Hundred of DVDs for sale ......-$1

But in the body of the ad, you'll see something to the effect of.....

All these great titles for only $5 per movie.

Then they wonder why they never sell anything...... :lol: :roll: :lol:

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

Another misconception made on CL, by sellers, is that only sellers can post ads in any given category. The truth is ANYBODY seller OR buyer can post.

I often post an ad if I'm in the market to pick up more inventory. That way a person can contact me and we can discuss it before they bring it in. Just yesterday, I purchased 258 CDs from somebody who responded to one of my ads. Got some nice items for a very reasonable price. I should do well, when I list them for sale.

lnbkarrett · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

When I look at the ads ~ some people list a price in the title and some don't ~ whats your opinion on where to list the price? BTW I would never advertise one price in a title and then change in the text - yeah that's just wrong.

diesel_parts · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 723

I am moving larger parts on craigs with no problem. Sold about 1,000 dollars worth in april. This is the beginning of my busy season so I expect to do better.

My sales now are split between craigs and my websites. I sell 50 dollars worth or so on ebay some months. LOL.

lnbkarrett · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

I posted some ads (4) on craigslist after reading this post (included a pic) and nothing.

Do people who have success on CL put a phone # and personal email?

thanks

campu2 · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 334

Do people who have success on CL put a phone # and personal email?

Serious buyers should have no trouble emailing you
with the anonymous email reply link.

Posting your phone # in your ad is an individual choice.
Based on the silly email responses I receive on many
of my ads, I would never post my phone #.

Easy to delete the emails. I wouldn't want them
wasting my time on the phone.

diesel_parts · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 723

I have my phone #in the ads. Haven't sold my 50 dollars worth this month on ebay but... Made a 100 dollar sale on craigs today.