Power Sellers Unite

snoopygirl · Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 87 Location: Indiana

I'm not having much luck there - I'm almost tempted to list them on eBay as local pickup only (2 tv stands, a wicker etagere, a litho and an end table... furniture / things that aren't easily shippable)

I did get a reply from a polite Nigerian gent who said he was regretfully unable to see the end table in person but would dispatch his "representative" and would mail a money order with "extra" for my troubles (I nearly died laughing over that one... good grief! I wasn't born yesterday!)

I also got a couple of responses from California, one wondering about how far "Indy" was from Palo Alto (um, about 3 days) and another really wanting me to ship it to him (a $35 TV stand! I think you can still buy this one new for less than that would involve!)

Ditto for Kijiji. The only response there was the offer of a furniture swap, to which my reply was "no, I don't have room for what I do have which is why I'm selling it". *sigh*

guitarbuddies · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

I have items advertised on the UK site they've been up for some time I've had one person contact to ask how much the item was even though the price is clearly stated but apart from that NOTHING, ZILCH, NADDA

One good thing with the bay is it gives you a far superior gui and gallery Craig's lets you place a picture but theres no real opportunity to SELL graphically.

Apart from that Craig's List isn't well known in the UK.

It is not user freindly in respect that if I put a price £9.96 it will show on the sales page as selling for £10.00????????

Any way I ain't to impressed

gojody · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

Craigslist seems to get better every year. More responses and more sales.

Also more headaches. Too many people asking you to
hold stuff for them and then never showing up.

Then again, no big difference from the nonpaying bidders
on most sites.

If you are an agressive buyer and seller, there is good
money to be made. Lots of deals on items and bulk lots
that you can buy from sellers who will give stuff away if
it doesn't sell during the first few days.

gojody · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

Re Kijiji: Sure...lets help build up eBay's classified site so
they can screw us at the first opportunity. No thanks.

Purses Etc By Paula · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

In 2-07 we moved from MN to AZ. We had 3 weeks to get final clearing out and packing done. I used Craigslist in Mpls to quickly sell: piano, huge bedroom sets, living room furniture & oak occasional tables, couple antiques, formal dining room set, topper for pickup, and many other items.

We got a couple odd-ball inquiries, but for the most part we received legitimate inquiries. We sold our items for reasonable price and had no problems.

I believe Craigslist is more popular in some areas and I think Mpls is one of those popular areas.

Now we are in Phoenix area and I don't think it is quite as popular down here; although a couple people have told me they think it is gaining ground in this area.

In answer to your question, yes, I have had huge results, good results and fast responses to my craigslist items.

Paula

Eastwood4460 · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 232

I'm also looking into using CL for advertising my websites or Squidoo blogs.

gojody · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

Eastwood4460 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I'm also looking into using CL for advertising my websites or Squidoo blogs.

Craigslist doesn't allow links to commercial sites. More
times than not your post will be flagged and deleted.

I don't really care for craigslist's system of letting users
flag as they please, but the alternative would most likely
be an unusable site flooded with "spam".

campu2 · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 312

Now we are in Phoenix area and I don't think it is quite as popular down here;

Paula;

Craigslist/Phoenix looks huge compared to Reno,NV.

I might be in one of the worst cities for craigslist, and I
still do more sales than I do with the alternative sites.

I really need to move.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10078 Location: Kansas

I think the results for craigslist can be based on where you are. I've tried it a few times, and had decent inquiries and some great results.

I will say tho - that which I've put there has been 'higher end' - rental property, for example and I did not get any 'oddball inquiries'. I didn't even get any real estate folks who wanted to 'help me' - just folks that appeared to ask legit questions.

I've not tried it 'heavily' nor steadily, but there does seem to be a ton of posts in our region - KC.

Happy · Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 260

I've had luck with Craigslist. Mostly books and toys.
Some clothing, mostly mens.
Even sent a bathrobe from Ohio to Texas.
Like any site, it's who's looking, when.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10078 Location: Kansas

Happy - quick question - for your cross 'area' bathrobe, did you put it on the 'local' site and they found you? Curious how that worked!! :D :D

Nikkicute · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 873

gojody wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Craigslist doesn't allow links to commercial sites. More
times than not your post will be flagged and deleted.

I'm looking at the small biz ads section.
Lot's of links.

I also do see advertisements for commercial sites but
the links are not clickable.
Is that alright :?:

I know there is a way to advertise your site and not
get flagged for it.

stvet · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

I made a sale yesterday. And this morning I got this

"Thanks for the prompt response and i will love to make an instant purchase i will be posting a certified check to cover the cost of the goods while you hold on my behalf. Once you have this,my mover will come pickup at you place.I will be needing the following information to issue out the payment . . .
1.Name to be on the check
2.Home address
3.Telephone
4.Your city and zip code
** Pls not that the payment for the good will be overnight to your address asap. I have taken a close look at the advert and am completely satisfied i really need this and will appreciates that you help save this for me till the payment arrives as it will save me someextra cost* thx"

stvet · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

And I got another sale today. Anyways, some dude tried to buy a GPS from me. We talked on the phone, and then we met. He asked if he could try it, and I said sure.

So I opened the box, opened everything in there. I let him played with the GPS a little bit to make sure that everything works properly.

Then he asked me if I could drop the price by $75 (that's 21% discount). And I thought, this guy was not serious about buying this item. He should have said on the phone or on e-mail. I gave him a $10 discount. He didn't want to take it.

So I wasted gas and time so he could play with my GPS.

campu2 · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 312

stvet; I have about a 99% success rate of determining who
is for real and who is not, before I waste any time with them.

Unfortunately, there is a small percent of the population,
who will pull this kind of crap, waste your time, and have
no intentions of buying ANYTHING unless they feel like they
are taking advantage of you.

Stating that your price is "FIRM" in your listings and repeating
the price (cash only) on the phone may help, but still won't
completely eliminate these kind of jerks from wasting your time.

Just part of the price of doing business and the reason
I would never burn any gas unless it has the potential
of being a very good sale.