Craigslist Tips

In Downsizing - Part Two, I said that I would add a post describing lessons learned while selling on Craigslist. This is it.

Craigslist is the classic "for sale" site. Although it is a national site, it is localized for your area.

I have sold items as small as an plastic ficus tree for $10 and as large as a piano for $900. Usually, I have found that only the larger items are worth the effort. I have recently sold a dishwasher and a range. I have also found those who come to buy a large item will often buy several smaller items.

 I have only purchased one item, a Miata car. That was $5,000.

First, read the help files. There are a lot of scammers out there. There are a lot of people who are not the shiniest bulb in the chandelier. There are a lot of trolls.

So, the first piece of advice: Be patient. I have listed items for more than two years, only to have them sell just as I was about to travel to the landfill.

Next: Accept cash only. If you get a check, it will most likely bounce. Of course, the classic scam is that they pay with a valid-looking check for more than the amount of the sale. Then they ask you to deposit it and send them the difference, usually by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card. It will take you about two weeks to find that the check has bounced. Meanwhile, they are gone with your item and your money.

Use the confidential reply mode only. Don't put your phone number in the ad, unless you are lonely and want phone calls selling health insurance, computer virus alerts, and politicians. Don't put your address in the ad. Wait until they make contact with you. Just say you are near a recognizable landmark.

Put lots of information in the ad. Describe the size, colors, and condition. Describe any features...any at all. Mention how you have used the item. "We nursed several babies in this rocking chair." Mention any defects. I always include the model number, if available.

There are lots of people who will ask questions just to "Start a conversation." Don't bother with them. There is a high probability that they will not buy. You want sales, not conversation. More on this below.

Along with the text, put in lots of pictures. More is better.
Add some manufacturers or catalog pictures also. Most buyers will not even see your ad without an image. Make sure you show any defects. I just use a phone camera. Craigslist people don't trust professional quality pictures. "Spare no expense to make it look casual." The first picture entered will be featured.

Don't negotiate by email. Responding to "are you willing to take $20 less" just cost you at least $20. I include a comment in the ad that questions will be answered in person.

Some people ask questions to decide if they want to invest the time to come see your item. These are not the customers you want. You want customers who have made an investment in your item. Some will ask if it is still for sale.

Here is my biggest tip, getting them to "invest" in your item:
Insist that their response include the time and date they want to see and/or buy your item. This will piss off a lot of people, but not the real customers (buyers) that you want. Insist on a specific time. "Friday evening" does not count (are you going to sit around all Friday evening waiting for them?) "Call me to set up a time" does not count (they are looking to start a conversation or a negotiation.)

Here is some sample text. I keep an html version in a text file and modify for the specific situation and item. For example, not all items require a pickup or trailer. You will still have to help some people load the item. They just don't know anyone else to help.

****** Here is what you need to know before you respond.*****

This will require a pickup or trailer and at least two people to move it.

I accept Cash only. No checks.

Your reply should specify a time to see or buy it.

For example: Your reply should be: "I would like to see and / or buy the microwave range hood at [time] on [date].

Replies without a specific (hour:minute) time will be ignored, as will asking me for a time, giving a range, or asking me to call you. [Here's why: I have great flexibility with my time, and can probably meet your commitment, as long as I know ahead of time. But, if you can't commit to a specific time, I will assume you are not really interested.]

If it's posted, it's still for sale.
If you ask if it's still for sale and it is still posted, I will assume you are a computer-generated spammer and ignore you.

The posted price is the price. I don't negotiate by email, but you could save if buy other items.[See "more ad by this user" button].

I have found that those who are willing to follow the instructions are the very customers I want: Those who want the item enough to commit to a time. I have found that about 90% of those who commit to a time actually show up. I have found that about 75% of those will show up with money in hand (literally.) They have already made the decision and only need the confirmation by actually seeing the item.

Deposits. I frequently have people look at the item, say they want it, but cannot pick it up at that time. So I will accept a deposit, of any amount, provided they give me a specific pickup time. I then change the headline in the ad to SALE PENDING, but I do not take it down. The risk is that they never return, which actually happened once. I make it clear that if they are a no-show, I will keep the deposit and put the item on sale again. Of course, I do allow them to change the scheduled time, but never allow an open-ended time.

All of this may sound negative, but  I do have fun selling unneeded items on Craigslist. The people who commit to a time and show up have all been great people. I love writing ad copy, even though I am not good at it.

Try it.

Downsizing - Part Three Condo Living

Select the Downsizing tag to see the prior posts.

So now we have moved from the 4,000 square foot house in the woods at the edge of town to a 1,700 square foot condo. The condo has two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. All this is on one floor of a 3-story building. We have two parking spots in a huge basement garage and a 4' x 6' storage unit in the basement.

We are on the first floor, which is great. That means we have a front patio, overhung by the second floor balcony. I call that a porch. I have wanted a porch for the past 40 years. We are the closest unit to the front lobby, the mailboxes, the delivery room, the stairs, and the elevator. All are important. Being on the first floor also means our stove hood vents to the outside...also good.

Security is moderately tight. You have to have a clicker to enter the garage from the outside. Once in the garage, you must have a key to get to the stairs and the elevator. Then another key to enter the unit. People coming in through the lobby must call a number so that we can click them in.

We have many elderly people in the building, so security is important. I know of three ladies who are over 100. There are also 2 girls in their early 20's, despite there being an over-55 age requirement. There are also several other couples in their 60's, but most are elderly.

Our building (and our unit) overlooks the parking lot of the huge Cottage Grove Place Senior Living facility next door. It's not a great view, but there is a lot of activity. Our building is on a hill, so our first floor unit is at the same level as the second floor of the building across the lot. Some have called our building the "waiting room for Cottage Grove" but only one person made that transition last year.

It is really true that buying a condo, like buying a house, has three considerations: interior layout, location (including view), and price. Pick two. You will not get all three.

In our case, the price was great. We made a low-ball offer and they took it. The layout is fine. In fact, we did not even ask for an inspection as we will be remodeling everything. And I mean everything. The only things we are keeping are the washer and dryer (nice ones) and some of the kitchen cabinents. The location, next to Cottage Grove, is not attractive, but we have a southern exposure and a very nice porch. We are far enough from the street to avoid most of the noise. We are also one block from the Brucemore Mansion, which has a very nice park.

And, we have cut our travel time to nearly everywhere in half. I expect gasoline bills will go way down. All the other bills (mortgage, taxes, insurance, electric, and gas) are cut in half. City utilities are included in the homeowners fee, as is basic cable. The cost of cable internet is one-seventh of the cost at the house.

The only downer so far is the remodel. We have been living in a self-imposed construction zone for a month. In fact, Bobbie is painting the dining room as I write. Remodeling is more difficult than I imagined, because everything must be done before anything can be done. And the first things that should be done are the lowest priority. grrr!

But we will get through it all.