How are you successful at selling on craigslist? It isn't working for me :(

[tasha99]

It's $210 at Sears now with free in store delivery. I think there would have to be a significant discount to make it worth buying on Craigslist--not $20, or even $40. Shopping on CL is full of risk, especially for the buyer (kind of the opposite of ebay that way).

I recently bought a tv stand on CL. It was $300 new, and I paid $90 for it (it was 2 months old). It was an item that I could look at and see if it was working or not, and it was heavily discounted. If the seller had asked for $250, even if it were brand new, I wouldn't have purchased it. CL is not a store, and it's buyer beware.

If you have a hard to find item, you could charge over retail for it. That's just how it works.

 

[NYEmomma]

It's $210 at Sears now with free in store delivery. I think there would have to be a significant discount to make it worth buying on Craigslist--not $20, or even $40. Shopping on CL is full of risk, especially for the buyer (kind of the opposite of ebay that way).

Agreed. The inherit risk of CL isn't worth it to me for what amounts to a 10-20% discount.

I've sold and bought a lot of stuff on Craigslist and don't have any complaints yet. But I'm not doing it to make my money back... I'm doing it to de-clutter my house of items I don't need & have a little bit of something to put towards new items that I DO need. We've bought almost everything we need for the new baby secondhand and about 75% of what we've spent has been money that we've earned from selling unwanted/unneeded items.

I've had a LOT of luck selling on local FB swap groups as well. Maybe try there? I just listed a handful of old video games this evening & have already sold 6.

 

[cornflake]

There is a big discount. I am asking $190. No way can you get that car brand new for that price in any store. And I even took everyone's advice and lowered the price to $175. In my opinion, CL'ers take advantage and if you can't afford the item then don't expect someone else to pay it out of their pocket and offer it to you for less. I would rather not sell it. I am not desperate for money thank God. Whenever I have bought on CL, I never low balled or demanded a price reduction. I simply paid the seller what they asked because I knew I was getting a bargain and am not greedy. No one should have to lose money because someone else deems themselves so worthy that someone else should help pay for their extravagances. IMO CL buyers are the scam artists.

What? You don't "have to lose money."

You're choosing to attempt to sell items you currently own. You, as others have pointed out, are not a store.

I don't know WHERE you got the idea that you can just get your money back for anything you don't want by selling things to random individuals. This wouldn't work at a garage sale, it won't work on CL, which is a virtual garage sale.

You, as pointed out, are not offering a good discount, and you're offering no discount off of what you paid.

If I can buy something for $210 from a store or $190 from you, I'm buying it from the store. I have no idea what you did with it, if it's been used, if it's defective but you're saying it's fine, etc.

You bought it. If you want all your money back (which you do, as you're offering it for what you paid pretty exactly) return it to the store.

If you cannot or will not do that, then yes, you have to take a significant loss selling it. Same as ANYTHING that doesn't have some inherent market value regardless of age or owner (like loose diamonds or gold bars or antiques).

It doesn't make people 'greedy' or 'scam artists' because they don't want to pay you nearly what they'd pay if they went to a store with warranties, guarantees, etc.

If you actually believe that this is how this works, please, let me sell you things from my house, for nearly exactly what I paid for them, for about what you can get them for new from a store. I'll make up a list for you.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I buy ...and occasionally sell...on Craigslist.

Generally speaking, EBay=discount pricing and Craigslist= garage sale pricing.


When I shop on craigslist, I pay the asking price. Very rarely I will send an offer, and then only for an amount that is very close to the asking price. If you don't want to deal with low ball offers on Craigslist you can always list your price as firm.

Normally when I list on Craigslist, I list things to sell fast, so I list at low garage sale prices. If it is an appliance or other big ticket item, I google the selling price at resale outlets for the item in the same condition, or check an auction on Ebay that is ending in the next few moments. Then I list my item at 35-55% less. Like I said, most people think of Craigslist as an online garage sale. (Otherwise, Ebay may be a better selling choice.) I don't want to deal with Ebay fees, packaging, shipping, and seller risk. I would rather sell for less on Craigslist.

 

[BBandDisney]

I'll give you $100 for everything.

 

[SYDCOLEMOM]

There is a big discount. I am asking $190. No way can you get that car brand new for that price in any store. And I even took everyone's advice and lowered the price to $175. In my opinion, CL'ers take advantage and if you can't afford the item then don't expect someone else to pay it out of their pocket and offer it to you for less. I would rather not sell it. I am not desperate for money thank God. Whenever I have bought on CL, I never low balled or demanded a price reduction. I simply paid the seller what they asked because I knew I was getting a bargain and am not greedy. No one should have to lose money because someone else deems themselves so worthy that someone else should help pay for their extravagances. IMO CL buyers are the scam artists.

The Lightning McQueen cars are buy one get one free still on the Disney Store website. That makes them $150 each. Im sure shipping isnt cheap. But I would rather purchase directly from the store in case we needed to return if something was broken. Your right there are scammers everywhere. Craigslist is a crap shoot. Can you not return them to the Disneystore (Im assuming thats where you bought them) ? even paying to ship them back would be better than taking a loss selling them on craigslist. Best of Luck.

 

[disykat]

What? You don't "have to lose money."

You're choosing to attempt to sell items you currently own. You, as others have pointed out, are not a store.

I don't know WHERE you got the idea that you can just get your money back for anything you don't want by selling things to random individuals. This wouldn't work at a garage sale, it won't work on CL, which is a virtual garage sale.

You, as pointed out, are not offering a good discount, and you're offering no discount off of what you paid.

If I can buy something for $210 from a store or $190 from you, I'm buying it from the store. I have no idea what you did with it, if it's been used, if it's defective but you're saying it's fine, etc.

You bought it. If you want all your money back (which you do, as you're offering it for what you paid pretty exactly) return it to the store.

If you cannot or will not do that, then yes, you have to take a significant loss selling it. Same as ANYTHING that doesn't have some inherent market value regardless of age or owner (like loose diamonds or gold bars or antiques).

It doesn't make people 'greedy' or 'scam artists' because they don't want to pay you nearly what they'd pay if they went to a store with warranties, guarantees, etc.

If you actually believe that this is how this works, please, let me sell you things from my house, for nearly exactly what I paid for them, for about what you can get them for new from a store. I'll make up a list for you.

Well Said! I can't believe you think people are scam artists because they don't want what you are offering.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

When I'm pricing things for CL I price them at what I would be willing to pay if I were the buyer. I don't base it on what I paid. I do check around on CL to see if other similar/ the same items are listed and on ebay just so I have a reference point. Sometimes I've had a price in mind and have revised it lower based on what else was out there for sale.

I'm in the process of decluttering the house and have been sellling things on CL for months - we're paying cash for this Disney trip all thanks to CL. For us it's mostly smaller items - I don't sell in lots - everything is individually priced. I'll list a lot of similar things together for example "Kids books about Animals" but folks can buy one book or all of them it's up to them. DH meets people on the way to / from work so we're not out any extra gas.

 

[blackacex2]

OP- it depends on the area you live in and the type of stuff you are selling. Do not expect good or even reasonable prices from people that purchase things from craigslist unless it's a recent electronics item like an iPad.

Furniture, clothing etc. don't expect much

 

[chloelovesdisney]

There is a big discount. I am asking $190. No way can you get that car brand new for that price in any store. And I even took everyone's advice and lowered the price to $175. In my opinion, CL'ers take advantage and if you can't afford the item then don't expect someone else to pay it out of their pocket and offer it to you for less. I would rather not sell it. I am not desperate for money thank God. Whenever I have bought on CL, I never low balled or demanded a price reduction. I simply paid the seller what they asked because I knew I was getting a bargain and am not greedy. No one should have to lose money because someone else deems themselves so worthy that someone else should help pay for their extravagances. IMO CL buyers are the scam artists.

I thought you paid $150 for it from the store. If you're going to ask for the same price as the store, I'd rather buy it there. People buy from Craigslist for a discount.

 

[robsmom]

There is a big discount. I am asking $190. No way can you get that car brand new for that price in any store. And I even took everyone's advice and lowered the price to $175. In my opinion, CL'ers take advantage and if you can't afford the item then don't expect someone else to pay it out of their pocket and offer it to you for less. I would rather not sell it. I am not desperate for money thank God. Whenever I have bought on CL, I never low balled or demanded a price reduction. I simply paid the seller what they asked because I knew I was getting a bargain and am not greedy. No one should have to lose money because someone else deems themselves so worthy that someone else should help pay for their extravagances. IMO CL buyers are the scam artists.

If you don't sell it what would you do with it? You bought the items for a reason, so keep it if have a use for it that brings you more value than selling it. If, however, you don't want/need the items, what good does keeping it do. In order to punish someone you perceive as scamming, you are only hurting yourself. Price really has little to do with cost. Price is what someone is willing to pay. If they can't buy it from you, they will get somewhere else or they wlll decide not to buy it. Your cost is sunk cost regardless.

 

[fakereadhed]

For items in high demand on CL(not a bunch of them listed on there or ebay) you can sell easily at 1/2 of retail value. Everything else that has any interest goes for 30% or less of retail price. It only has value if someone wants to buy it for personal use. You will get lowball offers from people wanting to resell items too. That's CL. If you don't like it, don't use CL.

 

[princesspwrhr]

I'll give you $100 for everything.

cash.



(I love when people email me that on CL - my ads clearly say cash only, yet they think that telling me they will pay in my preferred method at half or less of my asking price will entice me....)

 

[letsgoreds]

I'm with PP...I expect to pay 'garage sale' prices on CL, like 30% off retail...and for excellent condition.

The only exception to this is for extremely 'in demand' items. I have sold certain tickets or hard to find items (Leapster leappad at Christmas) for more than retail. I still don't like ripping people off, so I have always charged below what you can expect to get off of eBay.

Craigslist is riskier than eBay...so expect to sell/pay less than what you see there...and significantly (in my case 50-70%) less than retail.

 

[NYEmomma]

I just had a great day selling on Craigslist. Made $55 selling some DVDs and video games (Gamecube! That system is waaaay outdated). Sold them at $2-$3 each... a lot of the DVDs hadn't even been opened. The key to selling successfully on CL is finding the right price point for each item. Every time I sell something, I look and see what other like items on CL are selling for. I then either price mine the same or a little bit less, depending on how quick I want them out of the house.

I could've made more pricing & selling everything separately but why bother. They're out of my house and I've got some cash in my pocket to go shopping at a big baby/kid consignment sale tomorrow.

 

[dreamin_disney]

In the last month or 3 weeks craigs list has been very slow for me. I'm selling clothes. There are many people also selling clothes too.I keep seeing their post repeast for the last couple of weeks too. At my yardsales kids clothes sale for $1 pants/shorts and .50 tops. On craigs list I sell each piece for a $1 or a couple bucks more just because i know people always try reducing the prices so it gives me room to adjust the price. Others on Cl in the same area are charging a lot more $$ but looks like they arent selling either. I can also tell they are getting lots of flakes or spammers because after a few repeated post they will put "only contact if you have the $$ in hand", "serious buyers only" "no i will not deliver you must pick up" Only contact me if your serious and ready to pick up". After reading that I realize they are having the same issue I've been having.

I'm gonna lower my prices at midnight or try doing one huge lots for all my listings but i have kids , womens and mens clothes so not sure if a lot will sell.

so selling clothes is it better to list by size, by cost, by a # of outfits and smaller cost like lot for $5, $10, $15???

Please tell me what works for you. The clothes I'm posting are nice, nothing goofy. Some stuff i see jon other postings just make me

 

[Janepod]

I'm going to hijack this post for some help pricing a 13" Sony TV/VCR combo. It's in excellent condition, with the remote and the manual, but of course I recognize no one is interested in VCRs anymore. I usually like to price something about $5-$10 over what I really want to get for it, so I have some room to negotiate it. So, what would you list it for? $30, and take offers of $20-$25?

I find that if I price things too low, I get too many people saying they'll take it and not show up.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[hsmamato2]

for that tv, you might get 20-25.00.... you can find them all over the place, very low value.
for OP I shop 2nd hand for bargains. I won't pay even close to retail on CL. No offense, but if something comes too close to a price I can get it brand new,I'll pay more for new,with a store guarantee. That;s just me though. I never sell,only buy so I am a consumer of CL items, not a seller.
I skim right over listings that are asking too much,it's too much trouble to try and negotiate. If I want a kids car,and can buy it at Walmart for 210.00 or so, I won't pay over 35% of that price on CL.
Same with tag sales, If I want to pay more,I'll buy new. I'm looking for 2nd hand bargains only.
And I'll buy 2nd hand clothes, but not on CL,too much trouble with sizing,etc. I have to see clothes,etc.
Just to help you understand where many buyers are coming from. If you want to sell, lower the price. If you want to hold onto your items, then keep it higher. The items are only worth what someone will pay for them.

 

[disneydeal]

my experience of selling unwanted items is good...from sports tickets at a profit to concert tickets at a profit.. even selling a car was easy and quick.

but when it comes to giving stuff away for free... i seem to get no shows... kinda weird huh...hard time giving away a book that's worth $35 i mean several responses just end up no-showing.

 

[PrincessDana]

I'm going to hijack this post for some help pricing a 13" Sony TV/VCR combo. It's in excellent condition, with the remote and the manual, but of course I recognize no one is interested in VCRs anymore. I usually like to price something about $5-$10 over what I really want to get for it, so I have some room to negotiate it. So, what would you list it for? $30, and take offers of $20-$25?

I find that if I price things too low, I get too many people saying they'll take it and not show up.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

I tried to sell the exact same thing at a yard sale this weekend. I even had it plugged in and playing a video to show that it worked. It was priced at $12 as I was hoping to get at least $10, but I didn't even get any buyers at all.