Craig's List

Craig's List is a great venue to sell stuff you no longer need or use. You know, all that stuff you really, really needed and wanted and then threw in a drawer, closet, garage or wherever until there was no room for more. Yup, that's the stuff I mean.

Craig's List has lots of warnings on scams, from money orders, long distance buyers, and other ways people try to get your money or goods illegally. Maybe they should include some common sense lessons for buyers who use the listings for what appears to be entertainment, or maybe just because they're total idiots. Could be either one, but just to be safe, let's consider that they're simply idiots.

Why do people e-mail you on items you're selling on Craig's List, and then when you give them your local cell phone number, never bother to contact you again? Is it because they then believe they have done their part, and made contact, and you are supposed to somehow miraculously pull them out of the ethereal Internet, and place them together with the treasured goods?

It's not once or twice, but a dozen times or more that people have indicated more than a slight interest in items I have for sale or for free, yet never bother to make that second contact for more information. Or, they give you their cell phone number, and when you call it tells you their mailbox is full, or rings incessantly and they never answer. Either way, I erase their e-mail and any chance they had at that bargain is long gone. If they have voice mail I leave them a message indicating they can call between certain hours, and also provide an intersection near here so they can decide if the distance is suitable for their travel. Most of the time I never hear back.

Then we have those who do call, get directions and promise they will be here at a certain time. Then, never show up to get the item. Hmm, you have now wasted all afternoon waiting to sell a ten dollar item that you would have been better off, time wise, by throwing in the recycle bin, perhaps. Or you have the person who shows up and, knowing the price is ten dollars, offers you five, and when you refuse, drives off, having spent five dollars in fuel each way to look at the item anyway. Hmm, more rocket science at work I suppose.

Then we have the freebie taker. The frenzy of callers for the freebies, no matter what they are. It could be a disease and if you list it for free, you'll get someone who wants it, because they have a place for it, need it, have one just like it and want a matching pair or some other reason beyond recall. No matter, if it's free, usually someone will take it off your hands. However, there are those who will ask..."Do you deliver?" WTF? I gave away a living room set that was in great condition (No, I really do mean great condition, unlike the second hand furniture guy's representation of great condition) Clearly stated in the ad that it must be picked up! Three people called and said they would take it IF I delivered it to them! Again...WTF?? A $500 living room set and it's free, and they want me to haul it to their house too? And probably carry it in and up the freaking stairs! A fourth caller on this one said he was coming to get it at a certain time, and when that time came and passed, the phone rang....and do you know what he said? Yup...CAN YOU DELIVER? WTF?? He now didn't think it would fit in his van. Finally had a nice couple call and stop by a few minutes later, very grateful to have it for their home. And they didn't say a word about delivery, either!

So, I don't list or sell much on Craig's List. Mostly because many people don't read the ads very well, and I don't have the time nor patience to sit home and wait for people who don't show up or who don't have the courtesy to call and say they're not coming. Must be why eBay is so popular. Sure it costs some money to place the ads and sell your stuff, but everything is in writing and up front and if you sell something that says local pickup only, the buyer understands that you aren't going to deliver it for free!

Incidentally, eBay owns part of Craig's List, so wonder how long it will remain free?