Craigslist

I've never sold anything on Craigslist before, but i'm thinking about it. I don't know about you all, but I don't trust people, so i'd rather not meet in person. Is it possible to just ship the items, and what payment methods are good to accept for listings on Craigslist?

[jamblix]

You're making it too much of a big deal, I've sold many things through craigslist nothing has ever happened. Just meet in a public place where a lot of people are. I've even made sales during the night at around 8-9 in some shady places and nothing has ever happened. The worst thing that's happened to me is the buyer tried to negotiate the price down, MAKE SURE YOU CLEARLY AGREE ON A PRICE BEFOREHAND on the phone or e-mail.

[jbluntz]

I've shipped items on craigslist before and took paypal as payment which is good since paypal doesn't refund buyers if tracking shows delivered unless they file a chargeback with their ccard but buy then your gonna have the money out and you can just use another if that one goes negative.

[aking]

just be smart and use common sense when selling on craigslist. Ive bought and some many things on craigslist with no problems. I always meet in public places where theres a lot of people around.

[jbluntz]

Depends on what you're selling too, like if you're selling software your gonna have to be prepared for some nasty phone calls when they find out it won't activate or something and if you you change your number you'll have to make sure and meet in a differnt location, been there done that, shipping is much easier.

[MadSam]

I prefer to think of CL as marketing rather than direct selling. Too much hassle in my opinion.

[Imback2010]

do be scared but make sure you go with gut instinct...you'll get low ballers but just meet in public places

[needhelpplease]

I sell AND buy on Craigslist ALL the time.....I personally love it! I cant tell you the DEALS I have gotten on there! I have meet with over 50 people and never once had a problem, all have been very nice and I now have repeat customers that come to me and pick up their merchandise. I was EXTREMELY nervous the first time I ever had to meet up with someone, but after that it was smooth sailing.....I LOVE craigslist, prefer it over ebay anyday......I have posted items with shipping and accepting paypal and personally NEVER had any sale that way go through, I find people on Craigslist want to meet and exchange in person.......give it a try, it is FREE so nothing to lose! Good Luck!

[MadSam]

Oh, sure if you're in to buy there are some great offers, you just need to be sure they're for real.

[xavi72]

Although CL has been fine so far, I must warn you that if you're selling a competitive item/product, there's no telling what your competition might do to keep you from competing with them. I'm not saying you'll disappear or anything like that, as I've had for the most part, good experience with selling on CL. One of the biggest issues you will have to deal with is the non-stop flagging that you have to put up with. If you don't mind having a simple system to repost each time you get flagged, you should be fine.

Something that I would like to warn everybody about is that if your competition thinks they can not get rid of you by constantly flagging your ad, they might take it a step further. In my case, I know that I was reported to the company that sells the famous language learning software and was sent a Cease & Desist letter. All the competitor has to do is to call the investigative number for that company, send them a copy of your email reply, with evidence (picture), and what I think was the key to why they got all my information was my cell number.

If you're thinking your receiving a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ email to scare you off, think twice. This letter (email) has all your personal information, including your social security number (781-xxx-xxxx).

I still sale on CL but I definitely steer clear from this product.

[pod]

Originally Posted by xavi72

you will have to deal with is the non-stop flagging.

I don't even sell vero but there are a few cities my ads don't last more then an hour or two. Its self proclaimed internet police [lonely losers] that think its their duty to flag an ad that looks commercial...

I swear they must sit there and check the ads all day long and feel all proud when they kill an ad. Some cities ads last until they expire. Some they never ever last. I know its the same person....

[Axcend]

there is definitely a huge craigslist cult where people think they can actually do something in life by flagging ads. Just look through all the discussion sections, its really absolutely pathetic. I would say just startup a website and advertise it on craigslist. I see that happen quite a lot

[pod]

Thats what I do is post products from my site. And thats what the lonely losers tag

Its really effective but very short term. Visits spike hard for a day and then ad gets buried and thats that.

They have a forum? People hang out in a CL forum? Now that I have to see....

[NYCLiz]

It is not as good as it used to be...but I have used it in 2 very different major cities and it worked well for me. I have mostly bought things, have also hired people. I have met people at their home, my home and in the park. It's not like you are dating there, that is scary!

[FandangoKango]

too many nigerian fellows looking to buy off craigslist and plus legit people who call you want too much of a discount to buy when i use to sell stuff from phones to tvs real authentic stuff that i had around. make sure your willing to sell stuff you can let go at low prices on craigslist or your not gonna make much money.