My New Find
Even though I’ve heard of this website, Craig’s List is a recent find for me. I was talking to a girlfriend about moving to Oregon, and we have some bigger pieces of furniture that we don’t want to take with us and we’d really like to sell (i.e. get rid of!) and she suggested that I list them on Craig’s List, which she explained to me was like a big, huge cyberspace of classified ads that you could narrow down to your state and city. So, of course I had to check the website out, and at first glance, I wasn’t impressed. It’s a very basic layout - - almost too simplistic, and there really is nothing eye-catching about the overall look of the website. But then again, it wasn’t going to cost me a penny to list the items I wanted to sell, so I thought, what the heck. I really didn’t have anything to lose.
So, a few days ago I posted an ad about our pool table, our formal dining table and hutch, and some really nice end tables that no longer fit our decor. Needless to say, I was suprised by the interest I’ve gotten on all the ads, and I’ve already sold the end tables! Unlike Ebay, this is a completely free service, and it didn’t cost me anything but time to post the ad. 
So now I’m searching the ads in the “car” section for a nice, newer “used” vehicle for my daughter, and I’m amazed at how many postings there are a day! I have to be honest and say I’ve check out other sections of Craig’s List - - and decided that a few of them I won’t be revisting because of the topics posted. 
I do realize that just like any kind of open forum like Craig’s List, you’re going to find scammers and unsavory people, so I’m aware that I have to be very careful, as well. But overall, this is an amazing source when you’re looking for a specific item. It’s like a big, huge, yard sale all in one place.
So, how many of you out there have heard of, or visited, Craig’s List? And have you ever listed or bought anything on Craig’s List? If so, what was your experience like?
I’ve heard of it, but haven’t visited or checked it out. Sorry Janelle. But I’m sure someone here can help.
Comment by Stacy ~ — January 10, 2008 @ 7:08 am
I’ve heard of it but never used it. I’d be VERY wary buying a vehicle for my daughter on it though. You can have the car checked out, but can you ever really know how safe it is? I don’t know … If it works out though that’s GREAT!
Comment by Carly — January 10, 2008 @ 7:22 am
All I know about Craig’s List is how often the name comes up when people are reporting crimes. Of course, I’m a crime-news junkie, so take that into consideration. Someone selling a vehicle through CL a year or so ago was murdered when the person came to see the car.
So be very careful. Since it is free, anyone can list there–which means, anyone who is psychotic, too.
But for every weird story, I’m sure there are thousands of positive stories. I gotta say, though, that for a car, I’d hit a dealership that will be responsible if something goes wrong. Lemon law and all that.
Comment by Julie Leto — January 10, 2008 @ 8:14 am
I don’t know about getting a car from there- especially since damage might not be reported by the owner.
On the other hand- we got our daughter a car from Enterprise Rental. They sell the cars and decently too. We got a 2007 Chevy HHR with less then 30K on it, the full remaining balance of the warranty from Chevy, an extended one and any little thing we wanted fixed, they fixed. No questions. Car fax reports were right there.
First, they pull the ones to sell randomly, not by any set mileage. Any car that has had more than 1K in damages, is not put on their lots, but sold to dealers. If you go to Enterprise.com and hit the sales button and put in your zip code, you will see what is available. If there is something outside the area but you want to seriously see it, our guys here went and got it. I am sure they do there too.
So far 3 other people have gone on our recommendation and bought cars. And they love them.
Comment by ev — January 10, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Good morning
and jungle friends…
Janelle, I have heard about Craigslist and I actually used the website several times…I use it to check out apartments for my younger brother who is living in Florida…to find job listings for work from home…to look up open auditions for acting and singing…I think it is a great site, with many advantages…most of which you listed above…I like the fact that it is free as well…I never purchased anything through that website though…it is good to know that I can sell my stuff on their whenever I am ready to move…I don’t really know much about the site except to use it as a “search engine”…
I hope that everyone has a wonderful day today…I am so glad the work week is almost over…Friday can’t get here fast enough…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — January 10, 2008 @ 8:49 am
I don’t know anything about Craig’s List but I’m oh so familiar with Auto Trader. Hubby bought his truck and Cobra from listings on Auto Trader. He spent a lot of time on there though, watching the listings go on and come off, comparing prices against Kelly Blue Book, etc.
I was at the grocery store one day when he called me and said, “We’re going to Kansas. There’s a Cobra convertible there selling for several thousand less than normal retail.”
Put my foot down on that one but both vehicles he found on there were in exceptional condition with service paperwork to back them up and everything.
Comment by Jodie — January 10, 2008 @ 8:58 am
I wish I could by the pool table! (I can’t. There’s no room in storage or at my parents and the shipping to NJ wouldn’t work.)
I’ve used it to check out apartments and I’ve had friends by stuff. Though, like anything else you have to be careful. Good Luck!
Comment by Yolanda — January 10, 2008 @ 9:08 am
I know there are scary stories out there — I’ve heard them, too. And I’m very careful — I would never go to someone’s home by myself to see a car. I’d either take Don or another male family member.
Checking out the used car listings on Craig’s List is very much like Auto Trader — I mean, people have to sell their used vehicles SOMEWHERE. And I’d never purchase any used vehicle without pulling a CarFax history report on it (it’s like a credit report for your car, LOL!). It tells you everything from title information, including salvaged or junked titles, flood damage history, total loss accident history, odometer readings, lemon history, number of owners, accident indicators, such as airbag deployments, service records, vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc.). It’s truly amazing and has ruled out many cars for us!
Ev — I’ll definitely check out Enterprise!
Comment by Janelle — January 10, 2008 @ 9:19 am
my neighbor told me about it he had gotten a free trampoline for his kids so I had a washer that had been sitting in my garage for a year . I listed it without a picture even and it was sold the next day. I have had some things I have listed and within 20 minutes I have inguiries and then within a couple hours the item is gone. But with saying that you do have to be careful I always make sure my husband is home during pickups and another downside is sometimes the people dont show up but I think its a great free website. I am addicted! lol
Comment by TAMMY — January 10, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Good morning Plotmonkeys and jungle crawlers,
I’ve looked at Craig’s List but have never used it or bought anything. I am wary as well of strangers coming to the house. I don’t even like it when neighbors have garage sales and a bunch of strangers are hanging around the neighborhood. I’m too suspicious I guess.
Glad to hear you had such good luck. That’s great. It sounds like your move to Oregon has gotten off to a great start.
Have a good day all,
Cher
Comment by Cher — January 10, 2008 @ 9:45 am
I heard of it - my daughter sold her car using it.
Happy Thursday.
Comment by Pat L. — January 10, 2008 @ 9:47 am
I have never used Craig’s List, but I have heard the same type of stories Julie has…
Comment by katie — January 10, 2008 @ 9:51 am
I’ve never used craig’s list, but a few of my friends have had really good luck with it. I say if you can get a carfax report, then you are ok getting a car from someone on craig’s list. Doesn’t really seem any different than getting one from someone on ebay or autotraders.
My cousin has a car dealership and buys lots of his cars from Enterprise. In fact, mine came from there too. It has 16k miles on it and runs great.
Comment by Liza — January 10, 2008 @ 10:01 am
I have visited but never used Craigslist.. but a friend of mine has gotten some great free and cheap stuff for her daughter and some furniture on there… but she always picks it up herself and takes people with her.. i tell her to be cautious as a gal was found killed and abandoned when she went to meet someone about a craigslist ad..the guy was trying to lure people there for bad things… i guess its like everything else.. good and bad.. there are just nuts in the world..
Comment by Jolene — January 10, 2008 @ 10:59 am
got my job and my apartment through craigslist. and a friend of mine when on a date after he happened to be browsing the missed connection section and realized that one of them was describing him!
Comment by Cail — January 10, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I have used Craigslist to sell my furniture. Every time i moved out of an apartment i would list some furniture items that i didnt need or want anymore. And within posting stuff i get responses. I usually see if the person is really interested in what I am selling, you can tell if you have more than 4 emails. I only allowed people to pick up the stuff on saturdays. I always ask for cash only. (Of course Im single and have no one around.) But the next day I moved out so I didnt have any problems.
I found my current apartment listed on craigslist, its a beach front property on the chesapeake bay. I picked an awesome find and a safer community. My friend in Boston found her apartment on craigslist too.
Though I have never looked at the “car” section, I only look at housing and furniture. Like you said craigslist is like a online classifieds.
Comment by Elisa V — January 10, 2008 @ 11:59 am
My cousin sells cars on Craig’s list all the time, he’s an automechanic so he buys, fixes and resells alot. Honestly its not any different from buying through your local newspaper except that you can reach more people and its free!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — January 10, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I have never been on Craig’s List. I am an internet addict. I enjoy myspace alot.
If you want to read a funny, funny blog about book signings, read Tim Sandlin’s blog for the day. He dishes some juicy gossip on other writers.
http://www.myspace.com/grovont
Comment by flip — January 10, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Janelle,
I can tell you: I’ve been counting days since Monday. Only one more day…
like you can imagine, I’ve never heard of it. But it sounds like a great possibility to get rid of some old stuff you don’t need anymore. And I’m glad it worked out the way you wanted it to with your furniture . But since it doesn’t cost anything, the others are right: it may be easier to sell things but it’s also easy for some psycho to do whatever he wants to. So just be careful and I’ll think you’ll be fine.
Just one day and then the weekend is here
Have a nice day everybody
See you
Vero
Comment by Vero — January 10, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
Hi, Janelle, We’ve used Craigslist before for buying and selling. In fact, we’re currently trying to sell our Passat on it (we sold our Accord a couple months ago in half a day, but I don’t think VWs generate quite as much interest…
We’ve sold patio furniture, little computer widgets, etc., and have bought an office chair, diaper covers, yarn…
It’s definitely good to be cautious though, and for a car, if I were going to consider buying, I’d definitely want to have the car checked out thoroughly by a trusted mechanic before committing to buy.
Happy buying and selling!!
Comment by Fedora — January 10, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Hi Janelle,
I have heard of and used Craigslist. I have a slight positive feel for it because Craig graduated from my sister’s alma mater [CWRU] and some of the faculty were talking about it once.
Personally, I’ve had less than stellar experiences, but it had to do with finding a roommate. It works really well - (although yes, some of the ads are… shall we say less than savory) - but you just have to be careful. I’m not sure if this is allowed when selling items, but when I thought about subleasing an apartment my friend suggested asking for proof in regards to finances- over all people are honest, but there are some major scammers out there. Like everyone says, just be careful. Good luck!
p.s. - the book arrived yesterday. Thanks so much!
Comment by JSL — January 10, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
Good Morning
I check craigslist job opening several times a day. It is a great place! Most of the job ads are not listed in other places. Even though it hasn’t resulted in employment yet I find it a resourceful place. Some friends of mine recently adopted a baby boy that they had about a month to get ready for. They bought most of the baby furniture on craigslist & almost a whole wardrobe. They had limited time & funds. He is a computer tech that is very savvy about being careful of contacts. Their little boy is a sweetheart & they are over the top to be parents. I also have a friend that has sold furniture on craigslist in a very short time. Like I said it is a great resource. At one time I was considering moving to another state & have looked up job opening for that also. I’m sure you will have good luck selling the rest of your furniture.
Comment by Donna M — January 10, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
I have never visited CL…but have heard about it.
My dh has worked for a car rental for 24 years. There is no way we would ever buy a car that had been used as a rental. The abuse and um, things he has seen over the years and not just by the customers.
We just bought a Toyota Certified Pre-Owned. It was an 07 with only 3000 mi. And since it was pre-owned we got a way better warranty than with a new vehicle.
Good Luck!
Comment by debb — January 10, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
I’ve heard of Craig’s List but never visited the site.
Comment by Jane — January 10, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
Janelle…off the topic…do we get to guess where you guys are going to be next weekend (I remember the Nashville guessing was SO much fun). Okay, I have no life…
Comment by katie — January 10, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
I have heard of Craigs list, but have never visited it.
Comment by Estella — January 10, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Janelle, No Craig’s List for me, but, I have a car suggestion. Firstly, I never used this, but, it sounds as if it would be a good way to buy a used car. It’s called CarMax. There’s 5 (I think) locations in L.A. area (there’s one in Burbank by me), the commercials say all areas of the car are put through a computer system for a guaranteed reliable car, they’ll buy your old car without you buying one of theirs, & they use prices that don’t involve negotiating. Saw they have an online buying site, carmax.com, so, you can request whatever kind of car you wish & what features you want on it, & find out which location has one like it. To me, this sounds like a better way to look for your daughter’s car. Like others, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with buying a car at Craig’s List.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — January 10, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
I have heard of Craig’s list. And have had a couple of the things forwarded to me by a friend, who wanted me to look at them. I have not used it.
Comment by Cryna — January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
I love Craigs List!
I have bought and sold several items and have had very positive experiences. I do worry about safety so I never meet people alone or have them pick items up when I’m alone.
Comment by Lisa G. — January 10, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
I’ve been using Craig’s List for years. I actually found my current job and my last job on Craig’s List. I’ve never bought anything from anyone on Craig’s List, but I have sold a pair of concert tickets via an ad that I posted.
Comment by Diana — January 10, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
I recently looked at it for the first time. we were looking for bunkbeds for our girls and decided to check out Craigs list. We did not end up buying ours there but it was cool to explore.
Comment by Kris — January 10, 2008 @ 11:54 pm
I’ve visited craigslist several times just to check out the site. If you decide to buy a car through them have the car thoroughly checked out by a mechanic. I’m a frequent watcher of Judge Judy and The People’s Court and have seen quite a few people suing and being sued after buying cars and the real problem seems to stem from not having the car thoroughly checked out and also not realizing the sale of a used car is AS IS, no warranty. Also check out the lemon law concerning used cars in your state in the event you have future problems.
Comment by bluecat — January 13, 2008 @ 4:03 am