I love Craigslist. Well, maybe I just love selling my stuff. I sell stuff on ebay, too... I've never bought anything on Craigslist, but let me tell you, I've sold a lot of stuff.
Maybe it's just that I like to negotiate. I negotiate contracts for a living, and it tends to carry over into my personal life. My husband would tell you that I try to bargain and negotiate everything...
It's generally understood that when you price something on Craigslist, you should price it to negotiate down. That's always the way it's worked out for me. Sometimes people just pay what you ask--which is frankly a little disappointing for me. I like the thrill of the deal!
This past Sunday morning I listed our super craptacular patio furniture on Craigslist. See below.
Honestly, it may look better in the picture than it did in person. Yes, it is missing the seat cushions on the chairs. I made sure this was fully disclosed in the Craigslist post. The seat cushion of the "loveseat" is pretty moldy on the back. Frankly, it was gross.
I bought it at Kroger in the Spring of 2007. It served its purpose, but it was over four years old. It had seen it much better days.
I listed it for $25-"frame in good shape but needs new cushions." In two short hours, I received 26 emails from prospective buyers. Then it happened.
"I'll pay you $40 if I can pick it up this evening." Then the next email. "Whatever your highest offer is, I'll pay you more if I can come get it now."
And my response, "$50. You can come get it right now!"
Done.
Why anyone in their right mind would pay $50 for my worn-out patio furniture is so far beyond me. Crazy!
My other recent Craiglist experience was a little different but still in the crazy category...
I decided I wanted a new coffee table. I listed my upstairs and downstairs coffee tables separately, with hopes that I could just sell one to fund the new downstairs table. I listed them pretty close to full price; it was no real loss to me if I didn't sell one, so why not try to get as much as possible?
Here are their listing pictures:
Then I got the email. A young newlywed wanted to come look at one. When she left my house, she took both coffee tables and an end table! I think she paid me about $100 less than the total I paid for all three originally! So, now I have no coffee tables--upstairs or down--and no end table at all upstairs. And, I can't find one I like for downstairs! Boo!
So those are my crazy Craigslist stories of late! How have your experiences been?
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
Maybe it's just that I like to negotiate. I negotiate contracts for a living, and it tends to carry over into my personal life. My husband would tell you that I try to bargain and negotiate everything...
It's generally understood that when you price something on Craigslist, you should price it to negotiate down. That's always the way it's worked out for me. Sometimes people just pay what you ask--which is frankly a little disappointing for me. I like the thrill of the deal!
This past Sunday morning I listed our super craptacular patio furniture on Craigslist. See below.
I bought it at Kroger in the Spring of 2007. It served its purpose, but it was over four years old. It had seen it much better days.
I listed it for $25-"frame in good shape but needs new cushions." In two short hours, I received 26 emails from prospective buyers. Then it happened.
"I'll pay you $40 if I can pick it up this evening." Then the next email. "Whatever your highest offer is, I'll pay you more if I can come get it now."
And my response, "$50. You can come get it right now!"
Done.
Why anyone in their right mind would pay $50 for my worn-out patio furniture is so far beyond me. Crazy!
My other recent Craiglist experience was a little different but still in the crazy category...
I decided I wanted a new coffee table. I listed my upstairs and downstairs coffee tables separately, with hopes that I could just sell one to fund the new downstairs table. I listed them pretty close to full price; it was no real loss to me if I didn't sell one, so why not try to get as much as possible?
Here are their listing pictures:
Then I got the email. A young newlywed wanted to come look at one. When she left my house, she took both coffee tables and an end table! I think she paid me about $100 less than the total I paid for all three originally! So, now I have no coffee tables--upstairs or down--and no end table at all upstairs. And, I can't find one I like for downstairs! Boo!
So those are my crazy Craigslist stories of late! How have your experiences been?
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
I have yet to buy or sell anything on Craig's List. Clearly, I am missing out. :)
ReplyDeleteI have purchased things on Craig's List. I have never sold anything, but I been wanting to. I have some things in my garage I would love to get rid of. I'm glad I read your post and now know how it works on the selling end.
ReplyDelete