Craig's List help

[tabithasoren]

I've never used Craig's list before but I'm thinking of trying to sell some items. Anyone have any tips or advice? Also, how should I price things?

For instance, I have a nice restoration hardware ladder shelf that was originally several hundred dollars. It is in perfect condition and I don't know where to even begin pricing. I'm not expecting much but I don't want to mess up and price it too low.

tia

[gingery]

Price high, they will always try to negotiate...that's been my experience. GL!

[GailGoldie]

price it lower than they'd be able to get it on sale.... and realize they are buying without the ability to return - so that's worth something off the price, too.

you will likely get some emails saying "oh great, i want it but can't come- i'm sending an assistant to pick it up after i send you a money order" or some similar bullshit. This is always fake- just delete (and block the email from your email).

it can take time to sell - but it's free so who cares, lol. You can lower the price the more you want it out. We just did that with our old stove (a restored antique stove)... had it priced much higher months ago- and now we just want it gone - so sold it for $150 this week to make some space.

[dr.girlfriend]

As a guideline, I would price things for 1/2 of what they cost new or less. Put "Restoration Hardware" in your description, often people search by term like "Pottery Barn" etc. I always put "cash only, price is firm" in the description. I don't hold things for more than a day or two for people. I never offer anything for free, even if I'm willing to let it go for free. If it's free a million people will say they want it and flake, if you list it for $10 or $15 people will rush to come get it.

[GailGoldie]

oh yeah- put pottery barn, restoration hardware, etc - all in your description (you can say "like" etc)... that way when people search for those brands it comes up. i have done that with strollers and it helps a lot.

and make SURE to post photos - good ones- i'm always amazed people waste time with CL and don't post photos.

[pierogigirl]

Put in the email that you will only respond if they leave a phone number and that if the ad is up, the item is still available- the "is the item still available" responses are almost always spam. If it's a small item, meet in a public place. I don't like to have strangers come to my house. I always meet at Town Hall because it is also the police department. Cash only. If it's truly in like new condition I price at 50% retail. Used, but good condition, about a third of retail.

[mollybrown]

I price things for 25% to 35% of retail usually. Maybe more for desirable brands or hard to find items (in my area, you might be able to get 40%-50% for a like new Pottery Barn bookshelf for example).

People will try to negotiate, but I know that I won't bother to contact a seller if they price something for what I can buy it for on sale (50% of retail or more). I assume they're delusional and aren't going to be realistic about what the value of their used things are.

[tabithasoren]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I sold my first item today. I probably priced it too low by the volume of response I got, but I'm just happy to get one under my belt.