Shopping Advice on Using Craig’s List

[jeaniefish]

I’m trying to find selling venues, other than eBay, for some jewelry pieces. I love LT but, for many of us, things just aren’t selling there.
I know that some of you use it. Any advice for a complete novice? I’ds it local only or do people see the listings nationwide? What safeguards do you put in place? Anyone been scammed there? Hope not but I know it’s possible.
Please share your experiences and advice. I really need to sell some things !
Thanks in advance
Jeanie

 

[Calla-lilies]

Hi there,

I've sold a couple of things on Craigslist and Offerup. I've only sold low-price items -- mainly so I don't throw them out (landfill). Craigslist is generally local so you meet the buyer (I suppose you could offer to ship). When I meet the buyer, I pick a third location so I don't have to give them my address. For OfferUp, you can meet OR you can choose to ship the items. If you choose to ship, I think your funds get released after the buyer gets the item and "approves" it. I don't know how OfferUp "protects" the seller against fraud. I've only sold locally.

I've listed a couple of items (very low price) on PoshMark but I have not had any success. You can also sell on FaceBook Marketplace -- I've never tried.

I've sold some (low-price) items via Dover Jewelry -- they sell the items on eBay. I don't think I would use them again bc they set the auction price at $1 and you get what you get.

Good luck!

 

[jeaniefish]

Hi there,

I've sold a couple of things on Craigslist and Offerup. I've only sold low-price items -- mainly so I don't throw them out (landfill). Craigslist is generally local so you meet the buyer (I suppose you could offer to ship). When I meet the buyer, I pick a third location so I don't have to give them my address. For OfferUp, you can meet OR you can choose to ship the items. If you choose to ship, I think your funds get released after the buyer gets the item and "approves" it. I don't know how OfferUp "protects" the seller against fraud. I've only sold locally.

I've listed a couple of items (very low price) on PoshMark but I have not had any success. You can also sell on FaceBook Marketplace -- I've never tried.

I've sold some (low-price) items via Dover Jewelry -- they sell the items on eBay. I don't think I would use them again bc they set the auction price at $1 and you get what you get.

Good luck!

Thanks Calla-lillies,
I’ve never heard of Offer-up. If I used Craigs List, I think that I would suggest meeting in the local police station parking lot. I tried setting up an Etsy seller’s count but you have to jump through soooo many hoops. It’s easy to buy on Etsy though. I guess they don’t want you to get frustrated and take your money somewhere else!

 

[Bron357]

The problem with free to sell marketplaces is that mostly low value items are sold on a collection basis. To meet up to transact requires the buyer to be local. Having sold on Gumtree (Aussie style Craigslist) it’s a pain, people say they are coming then don’t, and there are plenty of scammers lurking there too. Same with Facebook marketplace, seems to be heaven to scam sellers and buyers with only a few real people inbetween.
eBay for all its flaws still has appeal to buyers and I still use it to both buy and sell.
And you can be scammed on Etsy the same as one eBay because there are “scammers” everywhere these days. Etsy also charges you per listing unlike eBay where listing is free. It’s hard to sell risk free anywhere except perhaps Auction houses but the downside there is the commission charged to both sellers AND buyers.

 

[Slickk]

Honestly, I only used Craigslist to have a selling platform and listing link as per PS rules. I never expected, or wanted/invited, random buyers. I’ve sold quite a few cars on Facebook though. Good luck! It is harder to sell preloved jewelry lately.

 

[jeaniefish]

The problem with free to sell marketplaces is that mostly low value items are sold on a collection basis. To meet up to transact requires the buyer to be local. Having sold on Gumtree (Aussie style Craigslist) it’s a pain, people say they are coming then don’t, and there are plenty of scammers lurking there too. Same with Facebook marketplace, seems to be heaven to scam sellers and buyers with only a few real people inbetween.
eBay for all its flaws still has appeal to buyers and I still use it to both buy and sell.
And you can be scammed on Etsy the same as one eBay because there are “scammers” everywhere these days. Etsy also charges you per listing unlike eBay where listing is free. It’s hard to sell risk free anywhere except perhaps Auction houses but the downside there is the commission charged to both sellers AND buyers.

I’m seriously considering going back to ebay. As you said, you can be scammed on Etsy too. Thanks for your input. Appreciate it!

 

[jeaniefish]

Honestly, I only used Craigslist to have a selling platform and listing link as per PS rules. I never expected, or wanted/invited, random buyers. I’ve sold quite a few cars on Facebook though. Good luck! It is harder to sell preloved jewelry lately.

Thanks Slickk,
Yes, buying is easy and selling is hard. Now that I have the pieces that I longed for, no more buying for me!

 

[MMtwo]

I suspect the economy has come into play...just less wiggle room in the budgets. My eBay listings are slow. I have items at fair to low starts and plenty of watchers. Second listing cycle in, so far only one bid of five listings.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Agree on the sales difficulty, and slowness, even on eBay, which I always assume has a wide audience. I know now to expect low ball offers after first listing. My LV items sold well, but jewellery not so much.