Trying to sell stuff on Craigslist - why do they do this?

jakelly · #1 09-02-2010, 07:31 PM

OK, I'm not complaining about Craigslist, its a very nice free service that has done me some good over the years.

Its the emails I get from potential "customers." "Still have the (insert item name here)?" If you email back, its a sure bet you'll never hear back from them saying "I'd like to come and look at it," or, "I want to come buy it right now." No, more than likely you never hear back.

Or, one time I had an old, vintage ukulele on there for sale. It was OK, not the greatest, but looked good and was only $35. So some dude wants to email 40 times, asking questions, questions, and more questions. Finally I told him it was only $35, and I wasn't going to waste any more time trying to sell it to him. That was one time I was glad I didn't get a reply

Linas · #2 09-02-2010, 07:34 PM

I have no idea. I typically just leave my phone number, slightly encrypted e.g. 709- five five five - 6481, and this typically seeds out the tire kickers. If someone is willing to talk on the phone, they are probably pretty interested in the product. This has worked for me.

JimB52 · #3 09-02-2010, 07:39 PM

It's like a virtual yard sale. 10% of the customers are actual buyers, the rest are bored or lonely people that want to waste your time.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 09-02-2010, 09:34 PM

Do people even have yard sales anymore? lol

**line6man** · #5 09-02-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimB52

It's like a virtual yard sale. 10% of the customers are actual buyers, the rest are bored or lonely people that want to waste your time.

This.

What I hate most is people that flake out after you've talked on the phone with them.

DigMe · #6 09-03-2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Do people even have yard sales anymore? lol

Heck yeah, man! We have had them to help pay for our adoptions. The first one raised us $3000 which paid for both our plane tickets. You wouldn't believe the crowds we get.

bc

thumpbass1 · #7 09-03-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Do people even have yard sales anymore? lol

To me yard sales are the same thing as a garage sale, and in my neck of the woods here in Omaha, the city is constantly busy with people trying to sell their excess stuff when the weather warms up. One nearby neighborhood hosts a yearly neighborhood garage sale with at least 70-100 families and individuals signed on for the mega one weekend event!

Pilgrim · #8 09-03-2010, 06:11 PM

People get flaky. You have to withstand the noise to get to the sane ones. Deal with it.