apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

If you've never tried to sell anything on CL before, I think it's a good idea to be aware of the scam emails you are likely to receive. Don't respond to people who want you to hold a check that is over the amount you're selling for or involve complicated logistical requirements.

If it sounds fishy, it probably is.

Try to meet them in a public space or make sure you have a friend/family member with you for pickup.

In the posting, ask repliers to give a phone number so you can contact them via phone. People who are serious will give their phone number out. Also, much easier to go down the list if previous people are no-shows.

It also helps to give a general location. If you're having them pick the item up, then give a general area of where you're located. It's no fun to find an item and spend time communicating, only to find out it's further than I'm willing to drive.

If you're meeting in a public place, then say willing to meet halfway up to so many miles or whatever.

Research what the market is. If someone else is selling a similar dresser for $150 don't list yours for $500. Be very explicit about what's wrong with the piece and photograph the damaged areas if possible. If your item doesn't sell for what you're asking, either lower the price or take it off craigslist. It's very annoying to see the same overpriced item listed week after week. If you've talked to a potential buyer, but decide to sell it to someone else a courtesy call/email is quite nice.

If you have a real antique who's value is over a few thousand dollars Craisglist may not be the best venue. Conversely, if it's not valued for at least $20 it may not be worth your time, and you might just want to freecycle it.

If you're a buyer, call and let the seller know if you are running late or changed your mind. Be respectful if you are offering less than the item was listed at. Sometimes people sell things that have emotional value, and it's frustrating to have someone low ball an item that you actually value.

Good tips!

A nice touch when pricing an item is to do it by multiples of 20. It's frustrating when a person doesn't have change for a $50 item, and all you have is $60 in twenties (because that's what ATMs spit out). Offer to buy or sell an item for $80, $60 or $40 instead; that way the buyer can go to the ATM, pay in twenties and no change is needed.

re: scams

I tried to sell a small book collection and received so many e-mails specifically stating that the potential buyer wanted to come to my house to look at the collection. It was always MY house. It almost seemed too obvious to be an attempt to rob me or something but I don't know.

Great tips!

I've had nothing but great success on both ends of Craigslist.

My 2 cents of advice would be not to look at Craigslist as a way to make money. Look at as a way to recoup value on something that has depreciated. Ebay is for money makers.

I don't understand Swan's comment. I know many booksellers and they either go to a book sale or to someone's house who has books to sell. How else would they see the books? Was Swan offering to bring the whole collection to the bookseller?

I never post my phone number because I just get too many calls. In college I sold most of my furniture and made the mistake of giving my number. I got one lady calling me at 3 am to buy a dining table. She repeatedly called me and then harassed me for not selling it to her!

I go for the first most serious response and reply to their email to tell them they have first dibs. If they are available soon and still sound serious, I give them my number and set up a time. If they flake, I go to the next most serious reply. I know people want to get rid of things fast but I HATE when I am "chosen" to come get something, have a time set up and then I find out they sold it out from under me. You knew I was coming! So that's why I do it one person at a time. It takes a little longer but you could probably still get it sold in the same weekend.

I hate emails that consist only of "is it still for sale?"
At least tell me you are interested and when you can get it.

Honestly, since I am a single female livin alone.. I tend to reply to other non scary sounding females. If it's not too big, I take it to the lobby or outside and meet them there. When I sold my bed and couch, I asked my (male) neighbor to come over when the guys showed up to get it. It's just safer that way.

Pictures pictures pictures.. I will not even waste my time looking at an ad if it doesn't have a photo.

To Mopar -

The messages were something like this:

I would love to look at your item at your house. Your item is of great interest to me if I can see it at your house. I will come to your house at any time to look at your item.

That was from one person!

While it wasn't creepy that several people expected to come over to look at the collection. It was the way they stated their interest that gave me the creeps.

ditto on the picture - so silly not to post one if you are trying to sell.

If you have a car, or access to one, your large item will move quickly and folks will pay an extra $60 to $80 to not have to deal with the logistics of moving it.

Swan, I'd be sketched out too. Have a friend or two over, and meet the person outside first. But people are more often weird than criminal, so give them a shot.

Swan--

That comment sounds like the strange broken language that often comes up in scams. Just ignore those ones that repeat the same phrase over and over or don't make much sense. They are definitely scammers so don't respond.

Yeah, the email sounds like spam. (A form letter.) Don't know what they were up to, but they sure weren't genuinely interested in books.