Introduction
to Craigslist
Brought to you by
Sharper Training Solutions
www.stsico.com
What is Craigslist?
• An American classified advertisements website with sections devoted to jobs, housing, personals, for sale, items, services, community and discussion forums
• Craig Newmark began the service as an email distribution from San Francisco Bay. It expanded in 1996 to a web based service spread across many US cities. Today, Craigslist is in 70 countries
Why You Might Choose to Sell on
Craigslist
• No posting fees or final sale fees
• Ebay forbids certain items
• Sell in person to local audience
• Sell anonymously
• AS IS sale with no risk of reversal
• Cash in hand immediately
Why You Might Choose to Buy on
Craigslist
• Inspect goods before you pay for them
• No waiting for items to be shipped
• You want to buy anonymously
• Can negotiate price directly with Seller
• Ebay can seem too complex
Differences between eBay & Craigslist• eBay is national/international - Craigslist usually local
• eBay is a marketplace - Craigslist a forum / bulletin board
• eBay traders rate each other - Craigslist traders do not
• eBay has some of your personal data - Craigslist is largely anonymous
• eBay mediates sales disputes - Craigslist does not
• eBay stickily controls content - Craigslist does not
• eBay takes a cut - Craigslist does not
• eBay’s selection is limitless - Craigslist is limited
• eBay is complex - Craigslist in simple
Craigslist – The Pros
• Great for Purchasing Large Items-Furniture
• Consumers get to actually see items in person
• Craigslist ads go beyond items for sale and include personal, as well as employment listing, all-in-one website.
• Straight up purchase method rather than auction
• Craigslist is free for all services except job postings, and specific items - see next slide**
** Exceptions to Free listings
Craigslist – The Cons
• Craigslist requires a larger degree of personal interaction between buyers and sellers. This may be uncomfortable for some people, as well as dangerous.
• There is no system for punishing bad behavior, as listings are anonymous
• Craigslist isn’t available everywhere, while anyone all over the world can use eBay
Beware of ScamsThe most common Craigslist scams are:
- Listings that don’t require a credit check from you for homes, cars, or other used vehicles (a way to get your personal information
- Requesting a wire transfer – can steal your money without giving you anything, or get your bank information
- Spamming Craigslist with dozens (or hundreds) of postings for the same item
- Requesting you use PayPal, but send you a link to sign up - it’s a phishing scam, so don’t click that link!
When you see one of these common scams, proceed with extreme caution, or better yet, abandon them – you’ll find something better soon
Not worth the risk
More Tips here:https://dolly.com/blog/craigslist-scams-safety-tips/
How to use Craigslist
• www.craigslist.org
Or
• Craigslist App for Apple or Android devices (CPLUS for CraigsList)
www.craigslist.org
Click on Link to your Country/City
To Create an Account
Click My Account
CREATE ACCOUNT
Follow Email Prompts
Read &Accept Terms of Use
Log in
SEARCHING CRAIGSLIST
Specific Searches
** Search Results are based on the information that was entered in the Ad by Seller. You may find many mistakes in Search Results
Refine you Search
Contacting Seller:
Please use the appropriate Contact option on the listing
Buying the Item
• Ask detailed questions about the item you want to buy over multiple emails or calls
• Check if the price is right –Research
• Meet in a public location, such as a bank or coffee shop or police station
• Bring a friend
How to Post an Ad
Post an Ad *• Specify your ad type, click continue
• Craigslist will walk you through a series of screens: What are you selling, What area are you selling item etc
*Best to create AD in MS Word Then Copy and Paste to Craigslist
Complete Ad Posting
TIPS:- Post Title very important- Recommend
no phone info on listing-First Name only-May not want to add street
address
Confirm Area on Map
Add Images
Images should be clear and exact item you are selling
Confirm listing before Publishing Ad
Safety Tips – Buyer Beware
• Dealing with Strangers – be cautious• Never put exact address on your AD(remove
location info from photos)• Recommend contact only through email via
Craigslist• Once you establish contact and conversation,
then determine if OK to give address to complete sale
• Never use Western Union and NEVER give your Bank account information
Craigslist Safety - continued
- Cash is recommended for in person transactions
- If you decide to ship an item - Paypal is a good alternative. *D0 not Ship till you receive money from PayPal.
- Make sure Seller confirms via email that you are the only buyer for that item before you send them money via Paypal
- Money Orders are an option but seldom used and Cashiers checks are easy to forge
- Meet in Public:Walmart/Target is great location – a lot of foot traffic and cameras in parking lot
Police Stations
Let’s go live