I’ve used CL many times for many different things- finding cheap movers (and they did the job well and cheaply, despite not having any of the moving equipment like furniture sliders that they claimed to have), getting rid of various stuff for free (old coffee table, microwave, tv, garbage bag full o’ paperbacks, etc), selling things (I got a buyer for my motorcycle literally within an hour of putting my ad up, and it was legit) and buying things (mostly used furniture), and even some social things, like finding people to join my flag football team. I love it.
I never put my actual email address. I put my actual phone number (google voice, so not in a “phonebook”) and tell people to text or call, or email the @craigslist address. I’ve sold far more via text message and phone calls than via email - you really limit yourself without a phone number. One or two scam texts, a couple of scam emails - but easy to filter out, who in real life uses the word “item” and emails at 4am local time ?
We have a basement apartment that we advertise on Craigslist whenever the old tenant moves out. It’s worked for us so far, although we have gotten obvious scam replies once or twice (we just ignore them).
I sold 5 old cell phones on craigslist with no scams.
We have bought over $2000 worth of kennel panels for $700 with delivery included from two different people in two different states with no scams.
I found our firewood supplier on craigslist. We’ve been using him for 4 years now and absolutely love his firewood (he kiln dries it, delivers and helps stack it). He’s a wonderful person and we now consider him a friend.
We found my Jeep on craigslist, listed by a very small used car dealer. It was exactly as advertised and 4 years later I’m still driving it and it just passed inspection yesterday even though it’s 24 years old.
The only time I ever had a scam response was when I tried selling my old pickup truck when I lived in upstate NY. I ended up selling it a coworker after getting 2 scam emails and no other responses.
I have used Craigslist frequently for years. It’s not too difficult to spot the scams… just look for the deals that are too good to be true.
Some things I’ve found on Craigslist:
- Current apartment (modern condo unit, very nice)
- Solid huge cherry desk ($40)
- Solid small oak dresser ($50)
- Cherry and black glass TV stand ($60) delivered
- Metal bed frame and twisted metal headboard/footboard ($70) delivered
- K2 Snowboard/bindings ($120)
- RMK Snowboard boots ($20)
And my parents/siblings have found some great deals, too. The best deals are definitely in furniture.
A few Craigslist tips:
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Used cars are definitely the biggest scam market I’ve encountered, especially if you’re on a tight budget. People selling cheap cars are almost always trying to dump a lemon on you. If the seller wants to meet at a neutral location (i.e. Walmart parking lot) that is a bad sign. They don’t want you to know where they live when you find out the car’s a dud.
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Always go to the seller’s house to look at an item (vs. having them deliver it before you see it). That way you can negotiate and walk away if you need to. If they deliver the item, you’re pretty much stuck buying it whether you like it or not. I’ve broken this rule a couple of times when I knew the item was quality and a good deal, but that’s rare.
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Be nice! If you’re friendly, people are more willing to negotiate.
In 2009 I responded to an ad for in home caregiving. When I arrived at the home for the interview, it turned out to be a 50 yr old black guy that really didnt need caregiving. He asked me a few basic questions then told me I would be there to tidy up but the main duty would be to plick grey hairs from his head with a pair of tweezers. I couldnt believe it, but he seemed very serious and explained he didnt loke tge stray grey hairs and “needed someone to pluck them”. I had done caregiving for an agency before, and was accustomed to going to homes to meet the person for an interview…but those jobs were screened ahead of time. This job was obviously not screened ahead of time by anyone and I shudder to think how foolish it was for me to go to someones home for an “interview” that wasnt screened ahead of time.
I have bought and sold a number of items on CL without any real problems. About the only problems I have had is dealing with people who say they will come and don’t show up. This can be a problem when you have multiple people expressing interest. You don’t want people showing up at the same time or after the item has been sold.
I am always surprised when I look at the prices some people want for their stuff. I use it basically to get rid of stuff. I use the “curb alert” and stuff just disappears. Other stuff I want a few bucks for, but I never ask more than 1/4 of the price of a new similar item, usually less.
If you use it intelligently, it is a great tool.
I’ve bought a few small things on CL, and also sold a car on it. The car sale was definitely a good experience, but it was a decent car and the only real buyer interest at my price was the final buyer, so I wasn’t monkeying around with goofs who had no interest.
I don’t think scams are a big problem for most Craigslist users. Given a little common sense and experience, it’s very easy to filter out the possible scams.
Flakes and people who don’t understand how to negotiate are more of an issue. I solve the former problem by generally not going much out of my way to meet people. I tell them when I’ll be around, and they can come by. If they don’t come by, I’m not out any effort. I never meet people anywhere, since they simply won’t show up a lot of the time.
Negotiations have to go back and forth. I have an asking price, and I’ll accept offers. If someone makes a reasonable offer, I respond with a counter. If someone makes an unreasonable offer (lowball), I tell them thanks for their offer, but I think I can get more, and I’ll get back to them if I don’t get any better offers. If someone asks what the least I’ll take is, I reiterate my asking price, and tell them that I’ll consider an offer if they’d like to make it.
Someone who shows up with less money than I’m asking gets directions to the nearest ATM. If they have the money but want to negotiate, I’ll accept a reasonable offer.
But, yeah, Craigslist is still great for buying and selling stuff. There are some annoyances, but the network effect overcomes them.
I have sold 3 riding mowers with no scams or problems. The last one was 2 years ago and had a dozen serious buyers in an hour of posting.
I also admit to going to the personals section. 4 dates, 2 were great, although they lead nowhere, one was a no-show and the other was a no-show but she later said “sorry, I thought you were a scammer and didn’t bother showing up”, so 50/50 there.
This OP is timely. This morning, my friend was telling me that had found some guy on CL who was selling his BNP Paribas (Indian Wells) tennis tournament tickets. Said that they were great seats, right near where the players serve…
I warned her to be very careful, as scammers are everywhere on CL. Even a legitimate looking ticket could easily be a fake.
My dog is a CL freebie!
Craigslist is awesome. The scammers are easy to spot – I just ignore them. I’ve sold cars, fish tanks, furniture, an antique plow, a 4-wheeler, a bass boat, and my grandmother’s older things that family did not want after she died. I’ve bought reams of cheap computer paper, office furniture, and a 16’ Kenner V-hull from Craigslist. Just deal locally and stay away from their personals section and you’ll be fine. It’s an excellent free service to move merchandise.
I’ve found craigslist works best if you price stuff to sell. If all you’re getting is scam responses (or tire-kickers) that usually means you’re pricing your thing too high. It’s sort of a signal-to-noise issue-- there’s a background level of scam responses, but if you’re asking a reasonable price the legit responses should drown them out.
Only used it once, to buy a TV. Everything went fine, guy selling wasn’t a creep or anything, just out of college and getting rid of an extra TV he didn’t need anymore and which his parents didn’t have room for.
Of course, the TV was incredibly heavy and upon getting it home nearly impossible to move, but that’s nothing to do with craigslist.