<p>I second dmd77’s idea of adding words like a color, a type of wood, or another word for bureau, such as chest of drawers or dresser. “Antique” if it applies, is another good word. I put my phone number in my ads, but not in a standard format, as to avoid being picked up by scanning programs. I think people are starting to use craigslist for higher end items. I just bought some Villeroy & Boch china from a woman in Florida:).</p>
<p>Thanks, All. I’ve gotten in touch with an auction house not that far from here and will see if they’re interested in my six or eight pieces.</p>
<p>BTW, I’ve had great luck with Freecycle, for our moving boxes and, just tonight, for a non-flat-screen TV.</p>
<p>VH - Having just shopped CL for every item you are selling, I don’t think your prices are out of line if good condition. If your stuff is from a known store or brand, definitely include that in your title. I was looking for a sectional and looked at a million ads from searching “sectional couch”. I ended up with two (!!). The first was an IKEA Ektorp 2x2 with sleeper and storage drawer that new was around $1600 and listed on CL for $799. My husband and I went to the IKEA store to check it out before we responded to the CL ad, decided that even tho $799 sounds like a lot, it was actually a great deal, so we bought it from the CL people and happily paid what they were asking. On flip side, the other one we got was a Pottery Barn sectional that was offered for free (!). Seemed too good a deal to let it go. On that one, I happened to be the first caller. I just happened to see the ad seconds after it was posted. By the time I got to the seller’s house to check it out, they had gotten five other calls. I am sure it was the combo of “Pottery Barn” and “free” in the same sentence that did it. In both cases for me, the product and condition were more important than price. In all cases, including a phone number makes a sale ever so much easier. When I was in prime shopping mode, it was very frustrating to have to email a seller, wait for them maybe to respond, then have to email them again, blah, blah. As I said in my original post above, if you want a sale, make it easy for your buyer. Good luck. </p>
<p>Now does anyone have a wood bistro set for sale? That’s my newest search …</p>
<p>VH…I and my son had excellent success selling things by posting them on our Facebook accounts. Our friends…and friends if friends bought the items. You might want to try that.</p>
<p>Another option would be consignment of the items.</p>
<p>Our local consignment store never responded to me. I stopped in to ask; the gentleman told me to email him photos; I did; he never responded.</p>
<p>I think this might be a tough time of the year to be selling furnature. A lot of folks are buying or saving for xmas right now. </p>
<p>I agree with the suggestion of changing the wording when you relist.</p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p>Thanks, all. I will be listing some others things in the next few days and will price them much lower.</p>
<p>I have bought and sold lot of items on CL. Key to selling is the price. When I post on CL, I put myself in buyers shoes and think how much I will pay if I need to buy this item. OP -Will you pay the price you are asking? If yes, keep on posting, may be reducing the price by $50 every week.</p>
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<p>I think Freecycle is great. Maybe it’s the items I offered, but I found takers within few minutes for everything I posted on he site. Plus, the folks came over and get the items immediately.</p>
<p>I work in a large company with our own internal ‘Whatever’s List’ where anything from houses to crossbows and RV’s and pianos are sold. The prices are quite high, the highest I recall for used decent quality living room furniture was around $200-250. Unless of course we’re talking antique or specialty furniture in which case the OP is at the wrong venue altogether…</p>
<p>Do a search on CL on similar type stuff and see what they fetch. If they’re similar quality and style then that’s your answer.</p>
<p>Our S has used Craigslist quite a bit to buy & sell household items including inexpensive furniture, TVs, etc. He never mentioned getting scammed, so I think his experiences have been mostly positive. He’s also bought & sold on eBay.</p>
<p>Most of his purchases and sales were fairly inexpensive college & 1st apartment types of things. My sister & BIL have bought some very high quality wooden furniture on Craigslist and were attracted by good descriptions and photos (paid over $1000 each for nice pieces, but that was a fraction of the value).</p>
<p>Resurrecting this thread to whine about people who make appointments to come see your stuff posted on Craigslist and then never show up. Or pick up their phone. :grrrrr:</p>
<p>I have used CL quite a bit for buying and selling. Other than people just not showing up when they say they will, I haven’t had a problem with scammers. I’m curious, what kind of CL scams are out there??? I will only deal in cash so that’s not an issue.</p>
<p>The scam “attempts” begin with an e-mail stating they want to buy your item and they don’t need to see it. They call it “it” instead of referring to “the car”, “the dining room table”, etc, as the e-mail is generic and sent to everyone listing big ticket items. They want your bank info so they can wire money and say that someone else will pick up the item. I believe the amount wired is too much, so they expect you to send them the excess. After you do this, it turns out that the wire transfer, or check, is no good, so you’re out the money you sent back to them. Did I explain this right? I’ve never responded to their “generic” e-mail messages, so I’m not positive how the scam works. </p>
<p>VeryHappy, I guess you could only make appointments when it’s convenient for you. That way, if they don’t show up, you didn’t make a special trip home or miss something you wanted to do. I also keep my things in the garage, so I don’t have to let them into my house.</p>
<p>toledo, you explained the scam very well. I’ve received several of those emails.</p>
<p>We too keep the items in the garage. Unfortunately what we’re trying to sell now is a trundle bed, and when it’s in the garage there’s no room for it to be displayed in its full glory. DH needed to assemble it in the driveway yesterday for the potential buyer – 95 degree heat so she could stand us up at noon! Our house looked very odd with a bed in the driveway!</p>
<p>The victim is out the money that is the difference between the HUGE amount “wired” and the amount the victim refunded as well as fees from the bank when the “wire” bounces or is declared fraudulent, as it inevitably is.</p>
<p>It is awful that there are scammers out there, but they are in full force so be mindful.</p>
<p>I’m trying to sell a baby grand piano on Craigslist right now. The only way for people to see it and try it out is to come inside the house. I haven’t had any response to the ad yet but I’m going to make sure that my husband is home with me whenever someone comes over.</p>
<p>A question about payment – I have a PayPal account that I very infrequently use to pay for things online. I don’t have a linked bank account, only a linked credit card. How do I get paid by a seller?</p>
<p>Personally, I would ask for CASH for an item (especially if it’s pretty valuable). That was what I asked for when I sold our used car. Didn’t want to have to hassle or worry about any checks bouncing or any scams. Didn’t check to be sure the cash wasn’t counterfeit, but don’t think that’s as common these days, especially with the newer $100 bills. It went smoothly for us.</p>
<p>An alternative would be a cashier’s check or money order to you, drawn on a local bank.</p>
<p>S uses PayPal, tho he’s not a fan.</p>
<p>We’ve never used Craig’s list before and could really use some advice about selling a car. DH has a “toy” that he’s ready to part with. Truth is, he’s been ready for over a year but we don’t know how to go about selling it so it continues to sit in the garage. Is Craig’s list a good way to sell a sports car or is there something better? The car is in gorgeous condition and should get top dollar for it’s age and mileage. Should we have people come to the house or meet them in a neutral location? I’m also wondering how payment is made for something of this value.</p>
<p>I think Freecycle is great–I’ve been able to clean out my garage and get rid of stuff that I wouldn’t bother selling. When I put a notice on Freecycle, the stuff is gone by the end of the day. I’ve been able to recycle my kid’s old toys and games and books.</p>