Craigslist hints

[britfish]

I want to sell a few large baby items on Craigslist (car seat, high chair and jogging stroller). Any tips on getting them to sell? Do you start w/ what you want and keep lowering the price as time goes on? They are all good quality popular brand items so I am hoping they sell, although this may not be the best time of the year to be cleaning out the closets.
I really want these things gone but I'd also like to make some $$ for my Disney fund!

 

[Kate and Pete]

The only advice I can give you is to make sure to attach pictures. I go right by every ad that doesn't have a picture - why bother calling if you can't see what you're calling about, right? Good luck! I've had good luck selling things that way!

 

[iluvdiscruises]

I would sell close to 50% off retail if you live near a big city.

To give you some ideas...on Craigslist I sold:
Peg Perego Prima Pappa Highchair $90
Maclaren Twin Traveller Stroller $200
Graco Car Seat $50
Peg Perego Stroller (single) $75 (this was a STEAL...as they were now going for $400!!)
Those were some of the bigger items...make sure you CLEAN everything...it definitely helps when people come to look at your items. I also write "Price is firm" in my ad and "serious inquiries only". I also write that I will only respond to ads with a phone #.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[tommya60]

I had no trouble selling the one item I listed, I did post a picture. My friend was aghast when I told her a man was coming by to pick up the item--I was home alone, never thought about it. She came over and stayed until the guy left--perfectly nice guy by the way, but she was right. I didn't know who he was and never gave it a thought. So you might want to either meet in a public place or make sure someone else is home. GOOD LUCK!

 

[britfish]

I would sell close to 50% off retail if you live near a big city.

To give you some ideas...on Craigslist I sold:
Peg Perego Prima Pappa Highchair $90
Maclaren Twin Traveller Stroller $200
Graco Car Seat $50
Peg Perego Stroller (single) $75 (this was a STEAL...as they were now going for $400!!)
Those were some of the bigger items...make sure you CLEAN everything...it definitely helps when people come to look at your items. I also write "Price is firm" in my ad and "serious inquiries only". I also write that I will only respond to ads with a phone #.

GOOD LUCK!!

good to know! I am selling the same high chair! Ok, off to dust them off and take some pictures!

 

[Dedejf]

I had no trouble selling the one item I listed, I did post a picture. My friend was aghast when I told her a man was coming by to pick up the item--I was home alone, never thought about it. She came over and stayed until the guy left--perfectly nice guy by the way, but she was right. I didn't know who he was and never gave it a thought. So you might want to either meet in a public place or make sure someone else is home. GOOD LUCK!

I absolutely second this! I live in MN and several years ago one of my DH's coworker's adult daughter was murdered after answering an ad on Craigslist for a babysitter/nanny for a child he didn't even have. She was too trusting and went to the guy's house for a job "interview" and was murdered there. I still have a hard time just hearing the word Craigslist because of what happened to her. Please meet in a public place and don't give out any personal information.

 

[iluvdiscruises]

I have only had people come to my house when I know my husband is home, and only then for items I can show outside (like a stroller). Other times, a shopping center parking lot works great...right near the entrance so I am never worried.

 

[TupperMom7]

Specify cash only.

If you will not negotiate the price, then put price is firm. Otherwise, put what you hope to get for it and then be willing to come down on the price.

Meet in a public place if possible for pick up or make sure you have someone at home like your husband, etc. I still prefer to meet in a public place that way they do not know where you live and your kids are not around with a stranger in the house.

Take pictures and list them - they are free on Craigslist. Also provide as many details as you can. How old it is, what color it is, material it's made of, brand name, etc. all help the buyer.

 

[StephMK]

I remember that story, that was horrible.

I agree w/the above posters, I love CL but definitely use the safety tips given. I have also gotten on spam lists by replying to people that emailed me so I use a separate email for those & don't respond to requests that are too curt or sound fishy. I know there may be some that still get by but I feel like I can weed out some by the tone of their email. If they are chatty & give you info, then I've found those are more likely to be legit.

Also, I don't give out any personal info until they have responded to my reply to them. There are too many that request an item, I reply with details, then they never email again. No personal info until I'm sure -and that is still only a cell # or address to meet. For the most part, I have had really good experiences with CL, just be careful like any other time.

 

[shilomoon]

These laidies have shared some great tips. I've been selling on craigslist since last summer. I must say that the buyers have somewhat dried up, so be sure to post pictures to get the serious buyers.

I also had a guy come by to buy something and it never occured to me until after he left that it probably wasn't a good idea since my husband wasn't home. Now i have my husband answer the door, or my neighbor comes over. It makes everyone feel better

 

[Robinrs]

I sell and buy A LOT on CL. I also bring my very large teenaged son with me everywhere and he's always with me when someone comes to the house.

I have had no problems at all so far, and have met some of the best people on this site.

I usually check the prices already up for my item in my area. If there are five up for $50 and yours is $100 yours will be overlooked or ignored. Be competitive and check your comps! Good luck!

 

[Mic]

I have purchased a car off CL, and sold a few items. The most recent was my washer and dryer. It was raining cats and dogs, and the delivery guys were on their way with my new frontloaders last month. I didn't want the old pair sitting on my deck in the rain while I waited for my SIL to decide if she "needed" them, so I listed them on CL. I listed the dryer for $50 and stated the washer was free. The dryer was in perfect shape, but the washer sometimes had to spin twice to get the job done. My phone was ringing off the hook within 5 minutes...the set was gone in 25! I was a little nervous having someone come to my house, so I made the buyer wait 20 minutes to pick the washer/dryer up so my husband would be at home. You've been given good advice here...basically use caution and common sense. One other thing I did was to sign up for a free google voice telephone number, and use that when I list things on CL. It just adds a little more anonymity.

 

[SandrA9810]

I listed a shop vac recently. Took a couple days, but it's gone now. I read the emails, half wanted to pay less, so I only responded to about 3 that gave me their phone number and was willing to pay the price listed.

One guy called up, told him where I lived, and he was here in like 20 mins. My friend also just so happened to show up at the same time he did, but I wasn't too concerned. And because I had just put up my Christmas lights outside, I had an extension cord available to plug it in.

I also sold it with a new air filter on it, which they're like 15-20$ as it is. So I think that helped over the others. And I cleaned it out with lysol and soaked the hoses and stuff in the bathtub over night.

Make sure it's clean, and if there's something that's usually replaced on it (like the air filter for me), have a new one with it.

 

[lucigo]

The only problem I have had is someone who came get a futon in a tiny car Other than that...things seem to go pretty quickly.

I have a trampoline I need to just list as come and get it...I don't want to have to take it down LOL

 

[kfeuer]

This may sound heartless, but I don't hold anything for anybody. Whoever shows up first with the cash gets it, and I make that clear to any potential buyers. I tried to be nice in the beginning and got burned a couple times with no-shows, no more. I don't care who emails me first, I'm not holding it.

Conversely, as a buyer be prepared to jump in the car immediately if you see something you want that's a really good price. You snooze you lose!

 

[Swimalie]

If you are a smoke free and/or a pet free home you might want to list that as well. Some people won't buy if you have a pet or smoke. Also list, first come first serve so people do start getting upset if they didn't respond first and therefore get it.

I listed 2 items yesterday in my town of about 10,000 but I'm only a bit outside of DC so in a populated area. One item I listed is a discontinued Little People train. The first one to respond happened to be a mom in my mom's club. Small world!

I agree with the others, either have a friend, your husband or someone else at home with you or meet the person in a public place.

 

[kjensvold]

Always use pictures and remember if it doesn't sell quickly you can repost it every 48 hours. Just go to your account delete the ad and repost it. That way it comes back at the top of the page and stays fresh.

 

[Ishy]

Google the email address of the person asking about the item. I have avoided a few scammers/spammers that way. I have responded to a few inquiries only to have them spam me with work from home scams.

Get a real phone number from the person too... google where they live. I hate meeting totally unknowns. safty first.