In college, Craigslist was one of my favorite outlets. You don't need to open an account, you can sell almost anything, and there are almost no fees to sell on Craigslist, unless you're selling a car or a service.
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During college, I was always looking for extra money to fund my Starbucks addiction.
And like most over-caffeinated college students, my schedule didn't leave much room for part-time work.
That's why Craigslist was one of my favorite buzzwords. You don't need to open an account, you can sell almost anything, and there are almost no fees to sell on Craigslist, unless you're selling a car or a service.
Even with the rise of Facebook Marketplace and other buy and sell apps, Craigslist still averages 50 billion page views per month.[1]
If you want to make money from home by tidying up or flipping items, you should know how to sell on Craigslist.
How to Post and Sell on Craigslist in 6 Easy Steps
If you've purchased anything from the site, you know that the key to posting on Craigslist is to be concise. Many sellers skip key steps that severely limit the reach of their post and the speed of selling their item. If you follow all the steps, you will have an advantage over those who don't.
Step 1: Price research.
If you want to learn how to sell fast on Craigslist, start your listing at a competitive price. You can get an idea of how much someone will pay for your item by searching other sites to see how much it has sold for recently.
eBay lets you do this with the "Items Sold" and "Items Completed" filters, and Facebook Marketplace lets you know if an item has had a lower price.
If your goal is not to sell the item quickly, set a higher price to give yourself room to negotiate. Craigslist buyers are used to haggling, so add an extra $5 or $10 for cheaper items and 10% for more expensive items.
Step 2: Take good photos.
You can add up to 12 images to your Craigslist post, and you should use as many as possible. The first image is the main photo and should show the most attractive product photo. In addition to images from all angles, the following additional images are possible:
- A scale photo - Use a more common item to give you an idea of how big or small your item is. Do not use an object that may vary in size.
- Any imperfections - This will help buyers avoid surprises and sell your products faster. It's a waste of time trying to hide something that isn't true.
- Close-up - If there are important serial or model numbers, people want to know.
You don't need a fancy camera to take good photos. Take your photos in natural light, remove frame clutter and make sure the background contrasts with your subject.
Step 3: Write a detailed description.
First, your post title should be worded in such a way that it is easy to find in a search. It's the first thing buyers see. So think about the phrases they are searching for and use those words in your title. You can provide more details in the description.
Keep your description short but informative. Use bullet points and short sentences. First, list all important information such as dimensions, make, model, serial number, age, any pets in the home, defects, etc. can quickly understand your listing.
Also include a reason why you are selling the item. Whether you're downsizing, upgrading or moving, buyers will trust you more if they know why you're selling an item. You want to know if you are selling it because of defects or imperfections or because you simply don't want or need it anymore.
In addition to a good description, you also need to be as specific as possible when choosing your item category. Shoppers often only search within a specific category. Therefore, if your product is in a more general area, it may be difficult for buyers to find your listing.
Step 4: Choose a communication method.
Once your listing is online, you'll need a way to contact potential buyers. You can use your personal email address or phone number, but Craigslist recommends using the two-way email relay service for communication. If you use it, email responses are covered by both seller and buyer to prevent fraud and spam.
If you prefer to communicate via text messages, you can secure your phone number by signing up to communicate using a free Google Voice number.
Step 5: Avoid scams.
Unfortunately, Craigslist scams have become all too common. Scammers spend a lot of time creating fake IDs and documents to steal your belongings and money.
If you want to learn how to sell stuff on Craigslist without getting scammed, always be on the lookout for offers that sound too good to be true. These popular scams include:
- Request payment by bank transfer or money order - Scammers will send you a fake bank transfer or money order, usually by Western Union, in the hope that you won't notice the forgery until you ship the item.
- Fake PayPal Confirmation – Scammers send a fake payment confirmation email that appears to be from PayPal, but no money has actually been deposited into your account.
you can avoidcraigslist scamtreat people personally, only accept cash and never give out your financial details to strangers. If you take cash with you, examine it carefully to see if it's genuine. If you're selling a large item like a car, try to find it at a bank or ATM to watch the person actually withdraw money.
Related:6 common home scams to watch out for
Step 6: Create a safe meeting point.
Never give your home address to a buyer and never agree to go to someone's home alone. If youthey sell onlineor items small enough to carry in public during the day.
they are police stationsSafeTrade Stations, and Starbucks usually has a lot of foot traffic. If you must meet at night, make sure it's at a store that's open late, has bright parking lights and security, like Walmart. For items too large to remove from the house, have someone with you so you are not alone.
Related:14 Craigslist Alternatives for Buying and Selling Used Items
6 tips on how to get the most money for your product
Success on Craigslist doesn't end with a good post. There are many other Craigslist selling tips that will help you sell your items faster and make more money.
1. Lot Item.
If you have similar items, sometimes they sell better together than individually. This is especially true for baby items. Busy parents are much more likely to buy "too many" clothes and toys for a certain age group than to buy them all individually.
It even works with large objects. Jillian Sirianni, its moderatorPodcast Frugal Friends, repairs furniture and sells it on Craigslist.
"I think listing a chair or a side table doesn't sell," Sirianni said. "But if I sell a pair of side tables or a set of four chairs, they sell more easily."
2. Posting on other websites.
Sales platforms have unique target groups. Therefore, it is important to offer your articles on as many platforms as possible. When you figure out how to sell stuff on Craigslist, other sites aren't much different.
Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Buy and Sell Groups, and OfferUp are some of the other places you should post your items. Most Craigslist postings are online for 45 days, but postings on these other sites do not expire, so take advantage of them.
3. Lower the price.
If it's been several weeks and you haven't received any offers, it's time to lower your price. If you're pricing your item with a view to negotiating, try to lower it or slightly above what you want to get for it and wait for it to drop some more.
This is more common when youthey sell used furnitureor other large and expensive items. Don't be afraid to drop the price to sell your items.
4. Respond to messages quickly.
Craigslist buyers are often looking for something specific, and they need it now. If you don't respond to them quickly, they will likely buy the same product from another responsive seller.
5. Share your listing.
Once your listing is online, drive traffic. Share your entry on social media and ask friends and family to share. You can also post it in appropriate discussion forums, such as your neighborhood Facebook group or NextDoor.com.
When you're ready to ship your product, try showing your ad in different situations. Avoid copying and pasting the listing as it will look like spam on Craigslist. Change it a bit and repeat that you will send the item.
6. Renew your subscription.
Articles on Craigslist are displayed in the order they were posted. If you list a popular item, update the listing regularly. Craigslist allows you to repost an ad within 48 hours of posting, effectively placing it at the top of the category and expanding your reach to a new set of buyers.
Set a calendar reminder on your phone to watch the ad every few days.
Related:The 28 Best-Selling Apps to Sell Online (and Locally)
Selling on Craigslist can be a good deal
Craigslist can be a small maintenance problem that can help youearn money fast, especially if you have a flexible schedule and don't mind meeting people in person.
One of the best tips for selling on Craigslist is to start with things you already have or free and cheap things you can find. This way, you can get started with Craigslist with very little investment and quickly learn if this side job is right for you.
FAQs
What should I not do when selling on Craigslist? ›
In any Craigslist transaction, never give out personal or financial information. Always meet in person, bring a friend, and deal in cash or use a secured or proxied form of payment such as PayPal to avoid giving your credit card information to the seller.
What is the most sold item on Craigslist? ›- Furniture. Craigslist is the best place to get a great deal on high quality furniture, provided you don't mind that it has been used. ...
- Computers & Tech. Where would you expect to find used computers and accessories if not on Craigslist? ...
- Cell Phones.
- Always, Always, ALWAYS Include High Quality Photos. ...
- Include your Phone Number in the Craigslist Posting. ...
- Build a Simple Website for Big Ticket Items & Link to it From Craigslist. ...
- Delete and Re-Post your Listings After 48 Hours.
People on Craigslist are not afraid to make low-ball offers. You want to price your stuff 10-30% above the price you won't go below. This way, when a buyer makes a low-ball offer, you have room to negotiate. You can say “final price” or “firm” but c'mon, it's Craigslist.
Is it safe to give out your cell phone number on Craigslist? ›Avoid adding any personal information in the posting, including your name, real phone number or real email address. Always use the generated email address on your Craigslist posts.
How do I protect myself when selling on Craigslist? ›- Deal locally. It's always safest to finalize a transaction in person. ...
- Examine the product before finalizing a sale. ...
- Don't accept or send a cashier's check, certified check or money order as payment. ...
- Use cash — safely. ...
- Don't share your personal information.
The safest way to accept payment on Craigslist is to meet in person and exchange the item for cash or a cashier's check.
Is it better to sell on Facebook or Craigslist? ›Choose the Right Platform
Not every platform is well-suited to every type of product. If you're selling larger items — such as furniture — you may have better luck selling on Craigslist. Smaller items such as clothing, jewelry and collectibles, on the other hand, tend to fare better on Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
Do People Still Use Craigslist? Absolutely. You can search your local area on Craigslist and find used furniture, cars, rentals, and even jobs. However, because so many Craigslist alternatives exist, it is no longer a one-stop shopping powerhouse when it debuted in 1995.
What time is best to sell on Craigslist? ›Best hours of the day to post on Craigslist
Generally, most Craigslist experts recommend the early morning hours for sharing your ads and job posts on Craigslist. During the weekdays (especially Monday), the time between 10 AM to 12 PM works the best.
Why do people list things for $1 on Craigslist? ›
Some sellers will list the sales price as $1, hoping to attract buyers who sort the listings by lowest price. What's the best-case scenario here?
What do people look for most on Craigslist? ›- Home Appliances. Refrigerators, dishwashers, A/C units, and laundry washers and dryers are the kind of machines perfect for buying and selling on Craigslist. ...
- Electronics. ...
- Cars. ...
- High-End Furniture. ...
- Power Tools.
- Write a Great Headline. ...
- Include Keywords in Body Text. ...
- Use High Quality Photos. ...
- Provide Contact Information. ...
- Link Out (But Not to a Paywall or Product Page) ...
- Pay Attention to Your Post's Writing Style & Formatting. ...
- Post Often (But Within the Regulations) ...
- Clean Up After Yourself.
- Look at Other Ads – and Take Notes. ...
- Gain Ad Presence – Create as Many Craigslist Accounts as You Can. ...
- Create Many Unique Ads. ...
- Know Your Audience. ...
- Give Your Ad a Make-Over. ...
- Go Old-School. ...
- Include Keywords in the Footer.
- Decide what to sell and where. ...
- Give it a fair value. ...
- Clean and prepare your item. ...
- Take great pictures. ...
- Be honest in your description. ...
- Be available to respond to potential buyers fast. ...
- Think about when and how to list. ...
- Know the lingo and community rules.
- Find Leads For Your Business or Skilled Side Work. Craigslist is not only for selling things. ...
- Flip Items. The concept of flipping items is not new. ...
- Flip Some More! Flip Free Stuff From Craigslist. ...
- Sell Your Phone. ...
- Offer Multiple Gigs. ...
- Sell Appliances. ...
- Monetize Your Hobby on Craigslist.
There are no fees for selling on Craigslist. The UX (user experience) is great, uploading and publishing an item takes less than 15 minutes.
Why is Craigslist charging $5? ›The $5 fee stops spammers from flooding the website. It forces the users to post an item by delivering value to the buyer. If buyers don't like what they see then the sale wont be made.
Where is the safest place to meet for Craigslist? ›One method of safety he always uses is meeting at a public place. He either meets at a mall or post office, but also recommends the use of a police or sheriff's station. “The best place honestly is in front of a police station.
Why do Craigslist buyers ask for code? ›The buyer or seller says they're a bit nervous about going through with the deal, and they ask to send you a verification code by text message (which ends up being a type of two-factor authentication text). Turns out, all they're really doing is trying to get your private info.
Is it safe to give someone your email on Craigslist? ›
Craigslist automatically hides your email address from listings with an email relay system. But once you start communicating to messages in your Craigslist inbox, it will use the name in your own email address. As well, it's not difficult for a scammer to get your email address using a Craigslist email address decoder.
What should I beware of Craigslist? ›Only deal locally on these sites with people you can meet in person. Never wire funds to anyone you deal with on these sites. Never give out financial information, such as financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, PayPal information. Never rent housing or purchase goods sight-unseen.
How do you know if a buyer is scamming you on Craigslist? ›Craigslist does not back any transaction on its site. If you receive an email or text trying to sell you purchase protection, you're looking at a scam. There is no such thing as a Craigslist voicemail service. If a contact asks you to access or check your “Craigslist voicemails,” you're dealing with a scammer.
What is the best payment method to not get scammed? ›By and large, credit cards are easily the most secure and safe payment method to use when you shop online. Credit cards use online security features like encryption and fraud monitoring to keep your accounts and personal information safe.
What is safer than Craigslist? ›1. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is my #1 overall Craigslist replacement. You'll find listings for electronics, furniture, temp gigs, home rentals, and more. Buyers and sellers can communicate and pay instantly through Facebook Messenger and are required to use their real profiles.
- You can reply to any post on Craigslist — just click the "reply" button at the top left of a post, and complete the Captcha puzzle if you're asked to.
- Some Craigslist listings will offer a phone contact to call or text, though most listings will only offer an email contact.
What is the safest way to accept payment? Besides cash, a certified check is the safest way you can receive a payment to your business.
Is Letgo better than Craigslist? ›Letgo. If what you like about Craigslist is the ability to shop locally, and being able to buy pretty much anything, Letgo might be the site/app for you. Like Craigslist, Letgo is an online classifieds listing, only unlike Craigslist, it exclusively offers items (Craigslist also offers services).
When should you reduce prices on Craigslist? ›Even if your item has a tiny dent, rip, stain, etc. you should state that, and lower the price accordingly. A potential buyer will most likely notice those little things when they come to look at the item, and then might feel like you're trying to hide something.
Should you haggle on Craigslist? ›DO leave room for bargaining. Decide on the lowest price you are willing to accept for an item, then price your item 10-20% higher. DON'T be afraid to say no to an offer. If someone offers you less than you think your item is worth, don't be afraid to hold out for more money.
Why is Craigslist so sketchy? ›
The Dark Side: Scammers, Stalkers, and Setups. Scammers use Craigslist to steal money from unsuspecting victims by placing fraudulent advertisements with incredible deals. Buyers are asked to send money orders or checks online, and after making payment, never receive their item.
How long does a Craigslist listing last? ›Although you're encouraged to remove ads once they're no longer valid, Craigslist does automatically remove ads according to a timetable it has established. This timetable gives each ad a maximum of 45 days on the site, depending on the locale and posting type.
Why did people stop using Craigslist? ›Craigslist has lost popularity in recent years due to a number of issues, such as its outdated interface, lack of shipping options, and an increase in scams.
What days of the week are best to sell? ›Best Day of the Week to Sell Stocks
If you're interested in short selling, then Friday may be the best day to take a short position (if stocks are priced higher on Friday), and Monday would be the best day to cover your short.
According to the rules listed on Craigslist's website, users may post in only one category in one geographical area once every 48 hours. Following these posting rules are essential: If you post too often or post similar ads in different locations too close to one another, the ads will be blocked.
What is the best day to post items for sale on Craigslist? ›Day of the Week
Monday is the best of the remaining days of the week, with views dropping until Friday, which is lowest. AllYou.com prefers Friday and Saturday because they've learned that buyers check what's new on those days.
Craigslist provides a "cover" email address that is forwarded to the recipient's actual email address. Only Craigslist knows the real email addresses of both parties. This way, if one of the people involved turns out to be untrustworthy, they don't have the other person's email address.
Does it cost 5 dollars to post on Craigslist? ›All craigslist postings are free, except for:
Job categories in US and parts of CA —$10-75 (fee varies by area) Apartment rentals in Boston, Chicago, and NYC areas—$5. Commercial real estate in the US—$5. All for sale by-dealer categories in the US—$3-5.
- Set a target price (one that you're willing to buy or sell at)
- Set your first offer at 65% of that price (if you're buying), or 135% of that price (if you're selling)
- Move your offer in three increments: 85% (or 115%), 95% (or 105%), and then finally 100%.
Hands down some of the best items to sell on Craigslist to make money are furniture items. From beds to old end tables you can rack up some good money on Craigslist with furniture. Large pieces like couches, recliners, beds and dining tables bring in the most.
What is the most bought item on Craigslist? ›
- Furniture. Craigslist is the best place to get a great deal on high quality furniture, provided you don't mind that it has been used. ...
- Computers & Tech. Where would you expect to find used computers and accessories if not on Craigslist? ...
- Cell Phones.
People on Craigslist are not afraid to make low-ball offers. You want to price your stuff 10-30% above the price you won't go below. This way, when a buyer makes a low-ball offer, you have room to negotiate. You can say “final price” or “firm” but c'mon, it's Craigslist.
How much money does Craigslist take? ›Craigslist makes money via posting fees. The company charges anywhere between $3 to $75 for uploading a listing in a few, selected categories. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Craigslist has grown to become one of the world's most visited websites.
How do I ship something on Craigslist? ›- Secure Loose or Delicate Parts. Tape down or wrap any loose parts that may move around during transit.
- Take a Photo. When you create a Gig, you'll take a photo of the item. ...
- Tie Down Large Items.
You can reply to any post on Craigslist — just click the "reply" button at the top left of a post, and complete the Captcha puzzle if you're asked to. Some Craigslist listings will offer a phone contact to call or text, though most listings will only offer an email contact.
How do I sell anonymously on Craigslist? ›- Omit any personal information about yourself when you create your Craigslist ad. ...
- Select "anonymize" under your "Reply to" email address.
Use cash — safely
If you're dealing with a local, the most secure way to pay or collect funds for a Craigslist transaction is with cash. To keep it even more secure, you can make the exchange in a safe place like your local police station or even at Acclaim FCU.
Craigslist's main differentiator is that you get to buy or sell -almost- everything for free. Buying or selling on Craigslist is easy, the whole process takes just a couple of minutes, however, you must remember postings expire, and so, you need to be as accurate as possible when posting an Ad.
How do I accept a payment on Craigslist? ›If the buyer is not willing to pay in advance, do not do business with them. Request a cash payment at the time of sale. If you decide to meet your buyer in person, ask that they pay cash. Any honest buyer will understand your hesitance to accept other forms of payment and will gladly stop by an ATM to get the cash.
What is the safest way to post on Craigslist? ›What is the safest way to post on Craigslist? When posting items for sale on Craigslist, you should always: Avoid adding any personal information in the posting, including your name, real phone number or real email address. Always use the generated email address on your Craigslist posts.
How do I get customers on Craigslist? ›
- Write a Great Headline. ...
- Include Keywords in Body Text. ...
- Use High Quality Photos. ...
- Provide Contact Information. ...
- Link Out (But Not to a Paywall or Product Page) ...
- Pay Attention to Your Post's Writing Style & Formatting. ...
- Post Often (But Within the Regulations) ...
- Clean Up After Yourself.
This type of ad often gets a high rate of response, allowing the spammers to collect multiple email addresses from a single ad. If you're worried about using your own email address, Craigslist recommends using an anonymous email with no identifiers in the address when replying to Craigslist ads.
When you reply to Craigslist do they see your email? ›When you reply directly from Craigslist, your email address will be visible to the recipient. To reply anonymously, you need to create a free Web-based email address, which does not contain identifiable information.
Does anyone sell on Craigslist anymore? ›Do People Still Use Craigslist? Absolutely. You can search your local area on Craigslist and find used furniture, cars, rentals, and even jobs.
How do I get around Craigslist ghosting? ›If your listing was ghosted because you are posting too much, then your only recourse in most cases is to wait a minimum of 48 hours without posting anything. After this waiting period, try to post a single listing and wait to see if it appears normally or is ghosted.