Craigslist can be a scary place, full of danger—or it could turn out to be an amazing resource for all sorts of cheap deals and pre-owned items. There’s one thing you can do: arm yourself with the right knowledge before embarking on your Craigslist and craigslist furniture austin tx adventure.
We are experts in what not to do on Craigslist, so we’ve put together some helpful tips that will make your adventures less daunting. Follow our advice and you’ll transform from a shy newbie with trepidations into a confident, successful Craigslist scion!
How can you master the art of Craigslist?
1. Be prepared
Craigslist is all about the details—and that’s why you should be prepared. (Or at least very, very organized.)
Do your research. Look up some of the common abbreviations and meanings for items you want to buy or sell and be familiar with the lingo. If you’re not sure what a piece of furniture is called, how else will you find it on Craigslist?
How to Buy a Used Stereo on Craigslist – Buying a used stereo isn’t rocket science, but if you don’t do just a little bit of research ahead of time, then it can turn into one big headache. This article covers some things to keep in mind when buying a used stereo on Craigslist.
2. Manage your expectations
No matter what you’re buying or selling, it’s important to manage your expectations. You should never expect to get the same deal from a seller that you would from the owner of a local big-box store.
For example, if you want to buy a $30 coffee table-size table for under $50, that’s perfectly fine and reasonable if you’re in need of something to put your paperwork on at work or something similar. But don’t think that all Craigslist sellers are this cheap! You’re probably going to have to negotiate down.
3. Go with your gut
One of the best ways to make money on Craigslist is to figure out what you really want and then go ahead and buy it. Sure, you can find some great deals by having a firm idea of what you want—but sometimes you’re better off taking a chance and getting something that’s unexpected or even a touch surprising.
4. Be very careful about what you post
Make sure that everything that you post is completely accurate in terms of the purchase price, condition and features of the item(s) (i.e., make sure the price quoted on Craigslist is the exact price being asked at the time of sale).
If you’re posting an ad for a car, for example, it’s a good idea to include specific details about the car including make and model, year of manufacture, color and any extra features (air conditioning, power windows/locks). If you’re not going to be able to provide exact details about the item(s), then don’t post them at all.
5. Meet in a safe place
There are some great ways to make money on Craigslist without dealing with dangerous sellers or questionable deals. But you need to be smart about it. If you plan on meeting at a certain location, use a different car or taxi than your own and follow the directions that the seller gives you.
Sure, you know that your prospective Craigslist seller is trustworthy—but can you really say the same about the members of the general public? Keep your Craigslist transactions as safe as possible by meeting in a public place.
6. Be very vigilant about what’s going on around you
It’s a good idea to be very vigilant about what’s going on around you when you meet up with a Craigslist seller. Make sure that the area where you’re meeting is well lit and populated enough by members of the public (i.e., not in isolated woods, etc.). Keep your phone close by at all times so that you can quickly reach for it should something suspicious happen. If you’re out at a cafe or restaurant, keep the phone away from your body and in a safe place (i.e., not under the table or in an unsecured garbage bin).
7. Don’t leave any messages on Craigslist
You’ve probably seen Craigslist postings that say something like: “No calls. Text only.” but you should take this rule of thumb very seriously. Never leave a message on the phone number associated with any Craigslist posting and don’t contact anyone through the email address they have included in their ad. This is a good rule of thumb for anyone who sells things through Craigslist, but especially for those who buy things—don’t leave your phone number with any seller on the site, unless you plan to follow through on the transaction.
Conclusion of the article:
Get all these tips and you will be a Master In Craigslist.
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