Craigslist Ads - No Calls, is it time to give up?

I have had no calls posting ads in the "for sale" section of Craigslist (EXCEPT THE FREE SECTION)





Last night, I did a little experiment to see how people would respond to my ads.

1. I posted a Canon EOS Rebel T2 FE28-90 in the free section, to see what would happen. Few minutes later, I was FLOODED with calls.
I got so many calls I had to take down posting and my typical response was that "I already gave it away to someone else".

2. Then an hour later, I reposted the same camera in the ELECTRONICS section, and this time for 5 bucks.

The result? No calls. Common really???? It's ONLY 5 bucks!!! And you still are not willing to pay for it?


Here is my listing:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/ele/4486932773.html


Based on the results, I am coming to the conclusion that people on Craigslist want EVERYTHING for free, and don't want to have to pay a single dime for it.

I don't buy or sell on craigs list very often but I tend to be suspicious of "too good to be true" ads. On the surface the ad you linked to would make wonder what the "catch" was. I would think that a "new" camera with those features would be worth far more than $5. I'm not sure of others but I would pass on your ad because I have been had before. I was contacted on an ad I had placed and it became obvious that I my email account was all that was of interest. Shortly after I was overwhelmed with junk emails.

This is just my reasoning for why I would not bite on your for sale ad. On the free ad I would think anything that is free must be a bargain. Mike.

Originally Posted by miked

I don't buy or sell on craigs list very often but I tend to be suspicious of "too good to be true" ads. On the surface the ad you linked to would make wonder what the "catch" was. I would think that a "new" camera with those features would be worth far more than $5. I'm not sure of others but I would pass on your ad because I have been had before. I was contacted on an ad I had placed and it became obvious that I my email account was all that was of interest. Shortly after I was overwhelmed with junk emails.

This is just my reasoning for why I would not bite on your for sale ad. On the free ad I would think anything that is free must be a bargain. Mike.

I agree, a brand new camera for $5? There's either something very wrong with it or it's stolen meaning you're a thief which means it wouldn't be safe to meet up with you to get it. Whereas if it was free than how could you be a thief? Thieves don't steal things just to give away.

I like your experiment but I would try it again with a more reasonable ad. I wouldn't be surprised if you just used the same ad and raised the price to something more reasonable and got responses then. Maybe even add in a backstory like you bought it for a photography class but then had to back out so now you just need to sell it.

Post it on Evilbay for an opening bid of the price you can live with, but sell it as local pickup only. You'll get a lot more interest.