Serious question.

"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth) 06/06/2018 at 13:46 • Filed to: None

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How do you sell stuff on Craigslist?

I know how to LIST stuff on Craigslist, but I’ve only had a single transaction go anywhere close to smooth, I’ve been trying to sell my OEM Ram rims and the only two hits were a scammer and a guy wanting to know if they’d fit on a Ford. (they didn’t) Other times I’ve tried to sell I’ve had hilariously low lowballers ($20 on a $100 phone) or people who were just flakes (7 people to give away a door and windows for free). I keep seeing people saying they’re selling stuff right and left easily for good money, but for the life of me I can’t do it.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 13:59

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You really don’t. (Lots of photos sometimes helps)

jkm7680 > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:00

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You don’t, you just entertain nigerian princes and various scammers.

MonkeePuzzle > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:04

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patience and lots of fruitless text messages

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:13

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On craigslist, beyond good pictures and a very detailed description, I specify in ads for folks to CALL ONLY and then ignore any inquiry that isn’t a phone call. I use it as a quick exercise in following directions on the theory that folks who can’t do so aren’t qualified to buy something from me. It has worked well for me as a method of weeding craigslist buyers. The folks who pass my quick test in following directions almost always show up when and where they’re supposed with cash in hand or otherwise prepared to make a reasonable offer and complete the sale.

I also ignore or fire any potential buyer that wants to know if I’ll take payments and I refuse to further discuss price or otherwise discuss terms before they’ve seen in person/tired out/test driven whatever I’m selling. Making them invest something in the potential transaction by showing up and meeting me in person, seems to help weed out the “tire kickers” and other folks that aren’t serious buyers and/or don’t have the money.

CobraJoe > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:14

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Price appropriately, avoid price negotiation until you meet in person (That helps avoid low ballers and flakes), be honest and upfront with what you’re selling, and be patient.

Oh, and don’t set your price too low. Either they think you’re selling something not worth paying for, or they think it’s “too good of a deal”.

But, generally, car parts take a long time to sell on craigslist. People usually only look for new parts when something breaks.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:15

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I’ve gone 3/3 on selling things on CL, but they’ve been in demand items priced to sell (2 barely used mattress/box spring combos and 1 couch). All 3 times I’ve been sure to list a little lower than most, but still above what I’d be willing to take and emphasize ‘or best offer’ to drive up interest. Also, email only to an address I set up specifically for CL.

CobraJoe > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 06/06/2018 at 14:17

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The folks who pass my quick test in following directions almost always show up when and where they’re supposed with cash in hand or otherwise prepared to make a reasonable offer and complete the sale.

My test is to refuse to negotiate price until the meetup. That usually results with the low ballers dropping contact and the flakes not even setting a time.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:20

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Post ad - several clear pictures, spell check, multiple means of contact listed reasonably securely. Price is $150
Week 1: nothing
Week 2: reduce price by $25
Week 3:
text 1 - (2am) hi is still avlble
text 2 - hello, do you have time to show it to me? I am available any time, as long as it’s Tuesday the 8th between 4:30 and 4:35 pm and then i’m going out of town
email 1 - You have won the nigerian lottery and I only need your bank account information to send you the proceeds
text 3: would you take $20

and so on and so forth

A month and about 25 tire kickers (lookie-loos? bullshitters? Time wasters?) later, I say “fuck it, my time is worth more than this” and donate it to GoodWill.

Obviously the timeline for cars may vary a bit.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CobraJoe 06/06/2018 at 14:21

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I edited my original comment, but that is the second part of my screening of buyers. I fire any potential buyer that asks if I’ll take payments, and I refuse to further discuss price or terms before they seen in person what I’m selling.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 06/06/2018 at 14:21

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Take high quality photographs and read messages carefully. If it doesn’t read right, it probably isn’t right. Also, expect that 8/10 inquiries will be bogus.

I swear by Craigslist and meet good folks that way. I also suffer much foolishness...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > CobraJoe 06/06/2018 at 14:22

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When I reach out to a seller, I am always sure to write intelligently and include my first name and my cell phone number.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > jkm7680 06/06/2018 at 14:23

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8/10 of the time.

Mercedes Streeter > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:28

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I usually do eBay or Facebook Marketplace for selling things. It’s amazing how many people want stuff on Facebook.

If I do have to post something to CraigsList, I note text or email only. I hate phone conversations.

jminer > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:35

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I sell and buy a fair bit on CL. I do get a lot of blow off and lack of follow though. Most things I’ll sell within a week or two though. The trick is to be clear, good pictures, price aggressively and don’t take it personally. I’d much rather text than call, so I specify that.

Dont overdo the description, people won’t read it all anyway. Two or three sentences is perfect.

I’ve started to like Facebook better for buying, I haven’t sold anything on it yet. Less blow off and scams on Facebook so far.

Tripper > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:38

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As others have said, quality photos are most important. Other than that you really have to want to sell things you list on CL. I just sold my road bike which I listed for $500. That is a super good deal for the bike better than anything else listed in the area. Someone offered me $300. Obviously a lot less than I wanted but to put the money toward a mountain bike that I had already purchased. So I took the $300. It was all done in less than 24 hours.

Most of the times I’ve had trouble selling stuff is when I have listed too high and or ignored “lowballers”. CL is the bottom of the barrel as far as classifieds. I have found local “swap & sell” facebook groups to be better and more secure.

Nibby > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:49

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Take good pictures of whatever you’re selling. Be thorough. Clean/restore whatever you’re selling beforehand to the best of your ability.

And be as honest as possible. It’ll go a long way.

Ignore the lowballers. Not worth responding to.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:51

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Come to think of it, there’s a few other things I’ve noticed:

If find that if something is going to sell on craigslist it will happen either very quickly if it is priced right or not all. I’ve also had some success with the strategy of listing something with an absolutely non-negotiable price that is the lowest I will take for it. If maximizing the amount of money you sell something for is your highest and best goal, it isn’t the right strategy, but it has worked well for me (even for selling cars). The non-negotiable part seems to also weed out non-serious buyers. When I’ve done that, I’ve always felt like everyone got a good deal. They got a good car/truck/whatever for a great price, and I quickly and painlessly sold one that I didn’t need/want anymore.

Could’ve I gotten more money in each of those sales? Almost certainly, but in each case I decided that the money I left on the table wasn’t worth the likelihood having to still be messing around with selling it days or weeks down the road while waiting for the buyer who couldn’t live without it and was willing to pay more for it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 14:59

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I’ve done pretty well. Right now I’m stuck with an old road bike that no one wants. Good photos, detailed description etc.. price correctly etc..

CalzoneGolem > CobraJoe 06/06/2018 at 15:04

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As a buyer I only negotiate price at the meetup. Never been refused yet.

CalzoneGolem > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 15:05

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I tell people to put a certain word in their subject line then ignore anything without that word in it.

CobraJoe > CalzoneGolem 06/06/2018 at 15:17

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Best way to do it. It’s hard to say no to an eager buyer with cash right now.

CalzoneGolem > CobraJoe 06/06/2018 at 15:34

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Yup. They’ve gone through all this trouble to get me and whatever they’re selling to the meeting they’d rather sell it for less than go through all that headache again.

CobraJoe > CalzoneGolem 06/06/2018 at 15:39

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Plus if the seller was smart to start with, they priced with some negotiation room, so they’re not getting screwed over either. At worst, the seller should only be a little disappointed they’re not getting a bonus.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Tripper 06/06/2018 at 16:13

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In my case I’m listing factory 17" wheels with servicable tires for $400, which seems quite in line with other listings, and included seven pictures, which is about five more than average.

Not trying to advertise, but feedback would be appreciated:

https://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/wto/d/17-wheels-and-tires-for-dodge/6550467852.html

deekster_caddy > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 16:56

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I try but fail regularly. Using CL pretty much sucks.

Tripper > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/06/2018 at 17:20

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You could throw a pic showing tread approximate tread depth using a ruler or a penny. Also detailed info on the wheels and tires always helps.

Wheel size, lug pattern, and offset.

Tire make/model and size, I know you can see that from the pics, but not everyone looks that hard.