I've sold a few things on Craigslist and for the most part it's a fine experience. But ... I have to vent on those that don't quite get it.
The most delightful transactions are where you post what you have for sale, someone responds with an e-mail asking "Is this still available? Please call me." You call them, tell them 'yes' and they say "Great. What's your address?" They arrive when they say they will, pay you the cash payment you specified, you exchange goods and off they go. All is right in the Craigslist World. But then there are those that Just - Don't - Get - It.
Exhibit A.)
Within my sales post of a $10 item I clearly state what part of the city I live in. I receive an e-mail stating "I'm interested. Please call." When I call I'm asked where I live, I tell them, they say they don't have a car and would like me to drive to their house and deliver the $10 item. They live 15 miles away. Um, no. I tell them I'm not up for that and I'm sorry that it won't work out. *click* However, they keep e-mailing me asking if I've changed my mind. Um, no.
Exhibit B.)
Within my post I include my asking price. When I receive an e-mail stating "I'm interested. Please call." I call right away. When I give my location the possible purchaser asks if I will take $10 off my asking price because you see, she drives a big SUV and with the cost of gas and all, gee whiz, well I understand, right? Yeah. Yeah I understand. That's why I've priced my brand new/never used item at $40 less then what a retailer is asking!!
When I post something on Craigslist I think of this as an honest transaction, kind of like a legitimate store. You wouldn't call a department store and ask a Sales Associate to drive the product to you, would you?? Or, you wouldn't go to a Sales Clerk and say "Well, I did drive a long way to get here in my huge gas guzzling car, so I think you should take that into consideration and remove the cost of gas from my total." You just wouldn't do that! (Although, I totally get it.)
I understand the art of haggling. I understand trying to get the best deal. But when I have researched a product, have seen what a retailer is asking and then lower my price by almost half, I get very insulted when I'm asked to take even more of a cut. I don't think it's fun, it pisses me off.
And that is my Craigslist Etiquette Vent of the day. Good day to you.