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So we're trying to downsize, since we feel we have too much stuff that we've never used. So we put stuff up for sale on Craigslist.
We price things very reasonably, provide good photos, and are friendly. We clearly agree on a time to meet, the price, the location, and our phone numbers. We confirm the day of, and they always say they're still on to meet.
And 90% of the time, the buyer flakes. I'm not exaggerating. We've been flaked on dozens of times, and the 3 times someone actually showed up, they were all super late, and only 1 of them have actually apologized or let us know in advance.
I don't even want to bother with CL anymore, I just want to donate everything, rather than go through the ordeal of giving out our home address to dozens of strangers from the internet, lug everything out, and then wait eons for them, contacting them to ask if they're having trouble finding the place, only to hear nothing from them, and then finally give up after an hour of waiting for them.
Why do people do this? I'm beyond finished with Craigslist, and I've been done for a long time, but my husband keeps trying, and I'm trying to tell him that our time is more valuable than the stuff we're selling, and I'd rather donate to the Salvation Army, so that people who truly need things can have them, rather than weed through flake after flake after flake.
I think they don't show because they realize that they probably really don't need that item. Sort of like pre -buyers remorse or maybe you're just located too far away from them. Regardless, they should call and cancel. It's the right thing to do.
That used to happen to me when I'd post on Freecycle too. I would wait for a person because they were the first to respond and really wanted it, and then they'd flake on me.
Now I just post it on CL in the free section and say..
Not sure where you are located, but are there any consignment shops in your area?
There are several where I live. They'll pick up your stuff for a fee and give you a percentage if they sell.
Good idea. I'll definitely look into that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET
Maybe you set your expectations too high.
It's expecting too much that someone show up when they say they will, or at least text to cancel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by elliedeee
I think they don't show because they realize that they probably really don't need that item. Sort of like pre -buyers remorse or maybe you're just located too far away from them. Regardless, they should call and cancel. It's the right thing to do.
That used to happen to me when I'd post on Freecycle too. I would wait for a person because they were the first to respond and really wanted it, and then they'd flake on me.
Now I just post it on CL in the free section and say..
first one here get's it. Will not hold.
Things get taken very quickly.
Thanks, I'll try to convince hubby to go the Salvation Army route, they'll pick up everything at once.
I totally understand if someone changes their mind, but for some reason, people won't even bother to notify him in advance (he handles it, since I'm too fed up with it lol), which just seems like common sense to me.
I have had a lot of success with craigslist. I have purchased some great items and sold some items myself. I did give it up after a particularly bad experience the last time and it added to the toll of the previous crap I endured. I got to the point where it made more sense to me to donate the items and claim it on my taxes vs the hassle of selling it. I had the same, people that didn't show up, try to talk me way down on an item, rude behavior, send me repeated emails asking the same questions and finally the last straw when a woman stole an item out of my garage.
I've had the same problem. But I've only ever given things away for free on Craigslist. Or at least tried to! I always receive intense interest in my things, but people fail to show up and pick it up from Craigslist. A few times, random people driving by have come and asked to take the items off of my hands, and I've been glad to have them do so.
My gripe are selling who don't respond to your inquiries in a reasonable time and don't delete the item when it's sold, they just start ignoring everybody. Both are wrong. If you put something up for sale, you should be replying quickly to inquiries as best you can, if having your phone on you so you can do this annoys you, then don't sell anything. Then, once it's sold, delete the ad, that's a quick way of letting everyone know that your item is sold.
1) There's no cost to use it, so buyers who flake have nothing to lose, and
2) There are no consequences to flaking. You can't get someone "banned" for being a jerk.
Around here (Silicon Valley), I've found that no one will respond if the item isn't free. And sometimes not even then.
Lots of scammers using Craigslist. On both ends. Be aware, it's not for everyone.
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