Craig's List replies?
 

Recently I've been looking for a good used Beemer (motorcycle) and perused Craig's List a lot. I have written to at least ten guys re: their bikes and yet to recieve one reply. The ads were only a few days old too. Is CL really slow in getting email to their sellers or just what's the deal. I would think a seller would reply pretty quickly if he wants to sell. :confused:

I recently posted an ad on CL. Most of the replies I received were scams where they said they wanted to pay via some special bank method, and would pay an extra $100 for my added troubles. My answers weren't very nice. Since it was the first time I had tried CL, I didn't realize it was such fertile ground for scams.

Sounds like my experience. I guess you get what you pay for. The ads are free to put up and because of this, have little success to complete. I guess the key is to respond to as many as you can that seem to fit what your looking for. Maybe 10% of the inquires will produce a relevant response. Even with this, it might take weeks.

Well, I did notice that most ads admonish you not to try a scam. My reply was only friendly and asked for further details. Only a few gave a phone number. So far not one seller has replied.

I've received replies as long as 2-3 weeks after inquiring about cars via e-mail.

Portland (OR) TV news recently reported of a couple being busted for running a hooker operation advertised on Craig's list...:eek:

I have had similar experience on the buying side. My experience on the selling side is that you get TONS of responses for each ad. Sometimes within minutes. They are not often the most literate responses either. So I think it's a matter of weeding through the crap. If there's a phone number ... call.

Last week I found a hard top for a Miata advertised on CL. They are getting expensive, and this one was a very reasonable price, and close to me.

I responded that I live in the same town, and could bring cash.

No response back.....

You get what you pay for. That being said, I do a lot of buying and selling on CL.

50% never respond. The ones that do will be in the first 6 hours, or after 7 days.

I occasionally use craigslist to buy and sell. I started up a new yahoo address solely for craigslist. I now am starting to receive mucho spam and am beginning to think that some are culling email addresses by placing bogus ads or asking questions on ads placed. Sounds like black helicopter theory, but I shouldn't be receiving spam at that address.

Your email address is hidden until you question a seller or answer a buyer.

Bummer - the only response I've gotten to selling my motorcycle on there was a poorly-worded, probable scam. Guess I have to try again.

I've had nothing but success on Craigs. Sure a few of my ads got bogus email responses ("I know you're asking $9500 but I'm a struggling college student - how about $1200?") but overall everything sold quickly and painlessly.

I forgot to add that Craigs is a fast moving site. If you don't have any interest in the first 2 days then you're probably asking too much or selling something not very popular.

i wouldn't have half the old cars i have if it wasn't for craigslist. trolling with a wanted ad usually gets some responses and some leads. in seattle, the ad deletes after 7 days, so just keep posting a new ad and eventually someone replies about what you need. overall, it works for me. i search cars/trucks with the year and see what pops up, then go up a year, etc.

If you respond with an email to a craigslist ad and you are serious about the item, you have to include your phone number. Or if the ad has a phone number, you have to call. Otherwise you'll just come across as one in a hundred tire kickers that wants to be a pen pal.

I have had excellent success buying and selling on craigslist. I always just give my phone number, never even put the email contact. That way you can weed people out pretty quickly on the phone. Scam artists generally do not call you on the phone.

George

if you put the phone number in the ad, then you can get it done with in a short time. always fun to reply to an ad via the craigslist link, then they respond with some answer but still no phone number. then you have to ask for the number, etc. duh!?

Thanks all...I'll incl my phone in the future AND write back to the ones I can remember. I didn't realize that CL was so fulla crap.

Mark,

Try looking here:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/NewSlash5/?yguid=8713648

This is a Yahoo BMW group that is for older BMW's, the R75 style of bike from the early 70's. Might join and post that you are looking for a bike. Usually a couple of them there that are for sale.

Joe

I bought two SeaDoos from the list (at different times). Both times I was literally sitting at my computer when the ad popped up, (after a quick refresh) and when I called, the people told me that I was the 20-30th person in the last 2 minutes to inquire.

Thanks Joe. I did just join and post. Seems a very light forum but who knows. I'm really in no big hurry.