eBay vs Craigslist

[WTF]

Now this is not a thread about which one is better and asking how much I can get from either place. Just wanted to see if my experience is isolated or if it's this way all over the country.

I recently decided to sell the Xbox 360 Slim 250GB system. Perfect condition, still had the tape on the dvd drive and controller, not scratched, box, receipt, all wrapping material. Hadn't used it a lot at all. I was throwing in another black controller, and Smackdown vs Raw 2011.

My first inclination of course was to sell on Craigslist, to save the hassle of going to the post office, having eBay take some fees, PayPal take some fees, etc. I figured, I had some good experiences with Craigslist a year ago selling things, so why not.

I list the system, controller, and game all with packing materials, receipt etc for $250 on Craigslist, OBO. Didn't think I'd have trouble at least snagging $225 locally. So I list it, put some pictures up, and wait. Offers start rolling in. But the problem was, people were saying:

"Hey, would you take $125 cash right now?"
"What's the bottom dollar that you would accept right now in cash?" (as if I would take wampum or euros instead of cash)
"I'll trade a mint condition PSP with God of War"

Those are 3 of the responses I received. Probably close to 50 replies, all of the same nature. I was getting ready to sell the system only for $175. The guy wanted the game and controller too, as it was "for my little brother" and "he needs to have those things to play with his buddys". I told him I'd throw in the game for $5 and controller for $10. I was literally gonna sell it for $190. He kept insisting $175 so I told him no thanks and good luck.

Got fed up a few seconds later and listed it on eBay. Sold for $250 around 25 minutes after I listed it, paid instantly, now all I have to do is run it to the post office. So I lose $14 in eBay fees, and $7 PayPal, so I put $229 in my pocket. That's still almost $60 more than locally.

What on earth gives? Are people literally just wanting something for nothing? Is it like that where you guys are from? I get trying to get a good deal, but I would have hopped all over a 250GB 360 Slim for $175.

Needed to vent, haha.

[BunnyHardaway]

I'm sure people do that just to see if the seller is stupid enough to take the offer, but reasons like that are why I will never use Craigslist.

[SuperBowlNachos]

I sold a lawnmower with a completely dead engine on craigslist last year. I wanted $200 to buy an iPhone 4. I listed it for $300 and top offer I got was $250. Ending up selling it for $230 cause I liked the guy.

I buy from CL looking to get a cheap deal. People usually sell on their for quick cash or just to get rid of it. So really I'm not shocked you got lowballed by everyone.

[dickey1331]

Here in Anchorage everyone uses craigslist which is rather odd but you usually get what you offer. I've always found someone to buy.


Do you really care where I sent this from?

[Gotmadskillzson]

Craigslist isn't what it use to be that is for sure. People use that like it is a pawn shop. I mean for $190........I would have jumped all over that if I needed a new slim 360.

[SqueakyD]

I wouldn't say the lowballin' offers are a specific Craigslist issue, but it's a general "selling stuff online or in the newspaper ads" issue... If you list a Best Offer sale on a fixed price listing on Ebay, you'll also get the same crazy offers as well.

Perhaps next time, do not to OBO on your ad. That's probably what helped open the floodgates for the low offers. Just state your price as firm. You might get more folks turned away, but you'll eventually get a sale on someone who is desperate enough.

[jeremym480]

I wouldn't buy or sell anything or Craigslist. I sure other's have had success with it but, it's just not for me. Plus, I don't mind the ebay/pay pal fees simply because of the peace of mind of knowing that I'm at least somewhat protected.

The only run in's that I've had with posting something on Craigslist was went someone fraudulently listed my house (that I was selling) for rent. http://www.weeklycitizen.com/newsnow...g-s-list-scams So just make sure you're smart on there.

[BlueNGold]

Quote: Originally Posted by SqueakyD

I wouldn't say the lowballin' offers are a specific Craigslist issue, but it's a general "selling stuff online or in the newspaper ads" issue... If you list a Best Offer sale on a fixed price listing on Ebay, you'll also get the same crazy offers as well. Perhaps next time, do not to OBO on your ad. That's probably what helped open the floodgates for the low offers. Just state your price as firm. You might get more folks turned away, but you'll eventually get a sale on someone who is desperate enough.

I don't think the OBO had much to do with it. People always try to see if they can get what's best for themselves.

I sold my Xbox on Kijiji (basically same as Craigslist, just better looking lol) and my ad of course listed what was included. I had multiple games so instead of getting offers for everything, I had people asking me "how much for Assassin's Creed II?" "Would you trade Batman: Arkham Asylum for these (insert ****ty bargain bin games)?".

I guess that's just the nature of selling things online. Eventually I did get what I was looking for though and solid everything for enough to complete my PS3 funds.

Seeing WTF's post, I do kinda wish I would have considered eBay a little more, but I'm just not high on hoping there is no issues when I'm shipping something across the country.