CL Selling Tips?

[OPBASSMAN1994]

So I'm selling stuff on CL. Does anybody have any tips for getting people to buy your items? It's good stuff, I think, but I've had horrible luck getting anybody to buy....I'm trying to get a Ric bass, so this is extremely discouraging...I need cash for that.

[agomes]

i have much better luck if i don't list a price, and instead just say 'make an offer'

sometimes you have to ignore low ballers, but you will get way more traffic, a chance to see what people are willing to pay, and a chance at someone offering more than you would have taken.

[98dvl]

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

So I'm selling stuff on CL. Does anybody have any tips for getting people to buy your items? It's good stuff, I think, but I've had horrible luck getting anybody to buy....I'm trying to get a Ric bass, so this is extremely discouraging...I need cash for that.

To sell on CL, post pictures, post a fair price, and people will come running from the hills. If your price isn't "decent", they probably won't bother replying to your message.

I do my sales on CraigsList on a first come, first served basis. I don't mess around with taking time out of my schedule to meet people, because half the time they WILL flake out, or are late. I'll let people know when I'm home, or when/where they can meet me.

If one guy shows up, and I know others are interested, I won't haggle a price (if you're first, you get the opportunity to get the item - because it's priced FAIR, there are usually more than one guy lined up to purchase). The second guy might get a chance to haggle price if no one else is lined up or interested... that's the advantage he gets because the first guy passed on it... so maybe the price wasn't FAIR. People will always try to haggle, I've never not had someone try. Be ready for it. If you're firm on your price, say so in the ad. I usually will have some wiggle room in my price, $20-$30 or so depending on what I'm selling.

If the buyer doesn't respond with a phone number (I ask for one in my ad), there's an 80% chance he won't show up to purchase. Get a number, and call to set up a time. Playing email tag is a waste of time.

[Delta_Petra]

Pictures are a plus. You can normally upload 4 pictures, make sure you do. Always be honest of the condition of the item and be thorough with the information. And above all make sure you watch out for scammers, they can be pretty easy to spot when they email you in broken english and refer to "the item" instead of "the bass", "the amp", whatever the selling item really is.

[eyeballkid]

if youre in an urban area with good gear, people might "come running from the hills" but if youre out in the country, good luck!!! Ive put things on CL for MONTHS that didnt get a single response, then put em on ebay at a $100 more and it went in a day...
CL is dodgy at best. Phone numbers dont even help!!.. I cant even count the number of people who Ive talked to on the phone who set up a time and never showed, or how many tire kickers came to my house, played my gear, fell "in love" with it, and then said "I'll be back to get it Friday when i get paid" never to show again!!!... I always list things there first, before I even list here lots of times so I dont have to deal with shipping. But it seems EVERYTHING sells here or EBAY WAAAAAAAAAAAY quicker and easier!

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Mod edit: If it's not allowed in the forums, it's not allowed via PM either.

[nixdad]

Qualify them well up front, as you do not want to waste your time. You should be able to figure out if they are serious or not and decide your course of action.

If you're selling something expensive or have a lot of gear, decide on a place to meet that is not your house. If they want to plug in, go to them and bring someone with you.