My Craigslist ad was flagged for removal...wondering what I did wrong! :)

[plummer925]

Hi everyone -

I posted a Craigslist ad last night and it was flagged for removal. It was under the "free" section and apparently I broke some sort of rule, and I'm not sure what one...was wondering if you would take a look and let me know? Thanks so much (I am thinking it was because I said it had to go to someone in need, but I see TONS of posts like that all the time...)

Here is what I posted:



Free: Kitchen Stove, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer (to needy families)

My husband and I are looking to bless a family or two with some items.

We have an electric stove (older, cream color, works fine), Refrigerator (smallish, only a year and a half old - freezer on top), Washing Machine (has minor issue that is "fixed" with tape...yea, sounds funny, but the fix works!) and Electric Dryer.

These are available to a NEEDY family only - I don't mean to sound nasty about it, but we could easily sell it all and make a few hundred dollars. It is NOT my intent to give this to someone who is looking to make a quick buck on it - these are for a family who is in need.

I live in _____ and item(s) must be picked up here at our home. My husband can help load, but you will need at least 2 people to help him!

I MAY have the washer spoken for - there was a wanted ad here on Craigslist that I answered from a family desperate for one.

If this ad is here, the items are available. When emailing, let me know which item you are interested in, a bit about yourself (so I know it's not a scam and you are truly in need!) and when you could come and pick it up.

It is NOT my intention to just give these away to the first person who responds. In fact - if you ask for them all, I will likely pass on your email.

Again, not trying to sound mean or nasty. We are looking to BLESS someone with these...someone who truly needs them and doesn't have the means to buy them.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think that you are asking for too much personal information. They may think you are data mining. And also, would a truly needy family be cruising around Craigslist?

 

[plummer925]

I think that you are asking for too much personal information. They may think you are data mining. And also, would a truly needy family be cruising around Craigslist?

Hmm...you are probably right!

Here in my area (Maine) there are tons of needy ads, so I thought that would be okay. Ah well, live and learn, right?

Thank you!!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

duplicate post, sorry

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I would repost them and just say you prefer they go to someone in need. You don't have to give to the first one who replies anyway- you can chose to give to whatever responder you want.

Of course, anyone can respond with a sob story that's not true anyway. Kind of have to just trust for some honesty there, I guess.

Another option- perhaps try asking a church/similar if they know of someone who may be in need of one? (I work at a church that has a "samaritan fund". We often get calls from folks in town needing oil or rides to medical appts or whatever. I don't get the calls, so I don't know if there has ever been any looking for certain appliances, but worth a shot?) A food pantry might have an idea too if a regular client comes in saying they need stuff that can just go in the microwave or something if their stove is broken?

 

[Marionnette]

Purple Heart and the Salvation Army will also pick up working appliances. You could donate the items to either organization and they will sell them. Both use their profits to benefit people in need, so your donation will go to help someone.

 

[cglaura]

Also check local Domestic Violence help centers. Many women escaping a bad situation just leave with the clothes on their backs.

 

[Swan4Me]

I am guessing the needy family would have to prove it-like give you Tax forms or something-too much personal info

BUT-the big problem is lots of charities dont take that stuff anymore-my Salvation Army wont-I had to beg for weeks for Habitat For Humanity to come get a good refrigerator

 

[soccerchick]

I'd suggest calling local churches to see if they know of anyone in need who could use those items.

Another option would be to sell them and donate that money to your favorite local charity.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Honestly sometimes ads are just flagged - I've had ones breaking no rule (selling a doll for $6) that have been flagged - I think sometimes folks just flag.

In your case I would look around to see if there's a good non-profit alternative. Here in the Raleigh NC area we have one called Green Chair that helps furnish houses for folks who have been homeless and are now moving into their first house or who have lost all their possessions due to a tragedy (fire, hurricane). Someplace like that would be great for your appliances.

I worry about someone handing you a sob story then going and selling your things.

 

[Belle5]

It's very nice of you to do this! If I were legitimately giving items like this away I would avoid Craig's List. I agree with asking around. A friend will know of someone in need...Craig's List is so full of scammers, you could give your items to a needy family to see them offered for sale the next day! Be glad you were flagged!

 

[arihillfarm]

You may try posting this on your local Freecycle group.

-Astrid

 

[brekin67]

Call the fire department for a family who has recently lost everything, or DHS who wold know of a needy family. I would go through a legitimate agency that knows there is a need, and not post on craigslist. Be glad it was removed or people may come to your home asking for other items. You might even lose your post here since it references bible verses.

 

[Belle5]

Call the fire department for a family who has recently lost everything, or DHS who wold know of a needy family. I would go through a legitimate agency that knows there is a need, and not post on craigslist. Be glad it was removed or people may come to your home asking for other items. You might even lose your post here since it references bible verses.

Her post doesn't have verses...it's her signature.

 

[plummer925]

Her post doesn't have verses...it's her signature.

That is correct - it is my signature line that has the verses! Thanks for pointing that out to the other poster!

 

[plummer925]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Wow - I did not even THINK of contacting a local fire dept for a family who lost everything - that is excellent advice. To the person who mentioned tax forms - not at all...if someone had simply told me that they had a need (verses a want) that would have been more than sufficient.

Thank you again everyone. I will be contacting a few fire dept's tomorrow (we live in a VERY rural area and rarely - thank God - have fires). That was great advice!!

Blessings,
Crystal

 

[jessica52877]

What a kind thing to do. I hope you can find a family that really needs it.

I also agree, sometimes ads just get flagged for no reason. I haven't kept up with craigslist rules recently so maybe you asked for too much? I don't know.

 

[tasha99]

From Craigslist FAQs on flagging:

If you post something for free in the Free section it needs to be really free, as in no strings attached free, to anybody that wants it. If there are any conditions attached (other then recipient must pick up and haul off) it will cause you problems. People are following the Free category looking to score something they can turn around on eBay or CL for some cash.. They don't like it if you say "Free to needy only" or something like that. Everyone's needy; people don't want your judgement on what is 'needy enough'

 

[plummer925]

From Craigslist FAQs on flagging:

If you post something for free in the Free section it needs to be really free, as in no strings attached free, to anybody that wants it. If there are any conditions attached (other then recipient must pick up and haul off) it will cause you problems. People are following the Free category looking to score something they can turn around on eBay or CL for some cash.. They don't like it if you say "Free to needy only" or something like that. Everyone's needy; people don't want your judgement on what is 'needy enough'

Umm...please PLEASE know that i am not judging ANYONE of being "needy enough" - I did not ask for (nor want!) specifics, just wanted to make sure they went to someone who needed it not wanted to resell it. I do absolutely understand everything else you are saying, but that last sentence made me feel a bit attacked that I was judging people on their neediness, so I wanted to make it VERY clear that it was NOT the case at ALL.

 

[MomToOne]

Umm...please PLEASE know that i am not judging ANYONE of being "needy enough" - I did not ask for (nor want!) specifics, just wanted to make sure they went to someone who needed it not wanted to resell it. I do absolutely understand everything else you are saying, but that last sentence made me feel a bit attacked that I was judging people on their neediness, so I wanted to make it VERY clear that it was NOT the case at ALL.

The PP was quoting the Craigslist Unofficial FAQ on why listings are flagged, that language was not something they wrote. That's why the first line of their post said "From Craigslist FAQs on flagging:"

Here is the link that they quoted from: http://www.eskimo.com/~newowl/pages/User_Flag_Examples.htm#free

You can get here by clicking various links in the Craigslist FAQs, that's how I did it.