Introduction to Craigslist Brought to you by Sharper Training Solutions www.stsico.com

What is Craigslist? An American classified advertisements website with sections devoted to jobs, housing, personals, for sale, items wanted, services, community and discussion forums Craig Newmark began the service as an email distribution from San Francisco Bay. It expanded in 1996 to a web based service spread across many US cities. Today, Craigslist is in 70 countries

Why You Might Choose to Sell on Craigslist No posting fees or final sale fees Ebay forbids certain items Sell in person to local audience Sell anonymously AS IS sale with no risk of reversal Cash in hand immediately

Why You Might Choose to Buy on Craigslist Inspect goods before you pay for them No waiting for items to be shipped You want to buy anonymously Can negotiate price directly with Seller Ebay too complex

Differences between eBay & Craigslist eBay is national/international - Craigslist usually local eBay is a marketplace - Craigslist a forum or bulletin board eBay traders rate each other - Craigslist traders don’t eBay has your personal data - Craigslist is largely anonymous eBay mediates sales disputes - Craigslist does not eBay stickily controls content - Craigslist does not eBay takes a cut - Craigslist does not eBay’s selection is limitless - Craigslist is limited eBay is complex - Craigslist in simple

Pros of Craigslist Great for Purchasing Large Items-Furniture Consumers get to actually see items in person Craigslist ads go beyond items for sale and include personal, as well as employment listing, all on one website. Straight up purchase method rather than auction Craigslist is free for all services except job postings **

Exceptions to Free listings

Cons of Craigslist Craigslist requires a larger degree of personal interaction between buyers and sellers. This may be uncomfortable for some people, as well as dangerous. There is no system for punishing bad behavior, as listings are anonymous Craigslist isn’t available everywhere, while anyone all over the world can use eBay

How to use Craigslist www.craigslist.org Or Craigslist App for Apple or Android devices

www.craigslist.org Click on Link to your Country/City

To Create an Account Click My Account

CREATE ACCOUNT

Follow Email Prompts

Read &Accept Terms of Use

Log in

SEARCHING CRAIGSLIST

Specific Searches * Craigslist Search Results are based on the information that was put in the Ad by Seller. You may find many mistakes in Search Results

Refine you Search

Contacting Seller: Please use the appropriate Contact option on the listing

Buying the Item Ask detailed questions about the item you want to buy over multiple emails or calls Check if the price is right –Research Meet in a public location, such as a bank or coffee shop Bring a friend

How to Post an Ad

Post an Ad * Specify your ad type, click continue Craigslist will walk you through a series of screens: What are you selling, What area are you selling item etc *Best to create AD in MS Word Then Copy and Paste to Craigslist

Complete Ad Posting TIPS: - Post Title very important - Recommend no phone info on listing First Name only May not want to add street address

Confirm Area on Map

Add Images Images should be clear and exact item you are selling

Confirm before Publishing Ad

Safety Tips – Buyer Beware Dealing with Strangers – be cautious Never put exact address on your AD Recommend contact only through email via Craigslist Once you establish contact and conversation, then determine if OK to give address to complete sale Never use Western Union and NEVER give your Bank account information

Craigslist Safety - continued Cash may be an issue: Paypal is a good alternative Make sure Seller confirms via email that you are the only buyer for that item before you send them money via Paypal Money Orders are an option Meet in Public: Walmart is great location – a lot of foot traffic and cameras in parking lot Many locations have Money Centers – Buyer can have Money Order issued and give to Seller at that time

Thank you for attending and I hope you enjoyed the class