Using Craigslist to buy or sell is a very simple and effective way to make transactions. Craigslist allows you to list for free, and there are tons of categories for everything you’d be looking for. Just like the classifies, you can sell new and used things, or even services.
When we were preparing to move last fall, there were some big pieces of furniture that it just didn’t seem worth keeping with us. Also, that’s a time when anyone could use some extra cash in their pockets, so we decided to list some things on Craigslist and see what prices we could get for them.
Our most successful sale was a set of three bar chairs. We knew the chairs cost $40 each when they were new. And since they were only a year old, and the same model was still on sale for the same price, we decide to ask for $80 for the set of three. We figured that anyone buying at that price was saving 40 dollars and the trouble of putting them together.
It was very easy to post the ad on the Craigslist site. Make sure to choose the right city, and for location, it’s usually good just to put in the major cross streets closest to you. I took some pictures of the chairs in good light, and also linked to the store’s website where we bought them, so people could see the retail price. Make sure to put your asking price in the ad, and to note whether that is negotiable. The more info you give prospective buyers, the better, because then they won’t feel shy about calling.
Our ad was up for a day before we got an email asking about the chairs. Craigslist takes emails and forwards them on to you, so you don’t have to post any of your personal information at all. If you are comfortable with the person who emails you, you can email them back with your contact info, or if they’ve sent their phone number, just call them directly to work out any details of the transaction.
Our chairs were sold for $80 the day after I posted my ad on Craigslist. Of course, something like that sells better on the weekend, because people have time to come pick things up. We posted the ad for the chairs on a Friday.
I’ve also used Craigslist to find things I’ve needed as well. I’ve purchased canning jars for far lower than retail, found extra help cleaning and moving on short notice and we even found our wonderful wedding photographer on Craigslist. We couldn’t afford the price of a professional studio to take our wedding pictures, so I checked for students and amateurs advertising on Craigslist, and there were plenty! This a great way to go with wedding cakes, videographers, photographers, and music for your wedding or event.
As you can see, Craigslist is simple to use, and it’s easy to earn a little extra cash with unwanted belongings, or perhaps even services you offer. First timers don’t have to have any apprehension at all when it comes to trying it out, there’s nothing to lose, and lots to gain!
