Posting your unwanted junk on Craigslist couldn’t be easier. Go to craigslist.com and click Post. Choose an appropriate category. Upload pictures. Say something. It’s free.
Ok, the saying something seems to be the hard part. Allow me to make some suggestions:
1. If the item is large and worthless, like your couch you picked up by a dumpster for your first apartment, post it in the “free” category. You’d be surprised what people will take, and large items are a pain to dispose of. If it is something small and trivial, you are better off bagging it and taking it to the Salvation Army. Who wants to deal with phone calls/emails/appointments/questions for every little free thing? Plus, donations to the Salvation Army are tax deductible.
2. Give your post a specific title. ”3 Pairs women’s size 4 Gap Jeans” instead of “Cleaning the Closet!” No one searches for “cleaning the closet”, but they do search for size 4 gap jeans. Even though Craigslist will search the entire post, you have to make people want to click your ad. ”Help! I Need Money!” does not inspire me to click. Do you have something I want? Let me know. ”Must go tonight!” is an awful title. Are you trying to bully people into taking something they don’t want? Sell them on what you have instead.
3. Don’t try to list too many things in one ad. Kittens, antique jewelry, and several appliances don’t belong together. Make separate posts.
4. People expect garage sale prices on most items. Don’t charge too much. You do want to get rid of it, don’t you? Even if the item is new, people do not want to drive across town, purchase something from a stranger with no receipt or warranty just to save 5 bucks. Also, they wonder why you didn’t just return it. It just sounds scammy.
5. A brief description of why you are getting rid of it is appropriate. A long or overly dramatic description is NOT appropriate and is quite the turn off for buyers.
“Works, but we upgraded to stainless after the remodel,” conveys the right message. ”Works, but my trampy ex-wife got everything in the divorce and I’ll be damned if she gets this, too!” is not really appropriate and will yield a poorer response.
6. ”Look at this!” is not an appropriate title. See #2.
7. If you are posting something valuable (over $100) you may want to meet in a public place. Can’t be too careful.
8. Phone numbers get better responses than the anonymous email Craigslist provides you with. Let people know if they should call or text. I don’t see any advantage to providing your real email address in the ad.
Do you have Craigslist questions? Let me know! Just leave a comment.
-Candace
