what is the safest way to sell something on craigslist

What is the safest way to sell something on craigslist?

• Deal locally. It’s always safest to finalize a transaction in person. …
• Examine the product before finalizing a sale. …
• Don’t accept or send a cashier’s check, certified check or money order as payment. …
• Use cash — safely. …
• Don’t share your personal information.

Full Answer

What are the best things to sell on Craigslist?

Best things to buy and sell on Craigslist

1. Home Appliances. Refrigerators, dishwashers, A/C units, and laundry washers and dryers are the kind of machines perfect for buying and selling on Craigslist.
2. Electronics. At some point, nearly everyone has to buy or sell a computer, phone, stereo, TV, or printer. ...
3. Cars. ...
4. High-End Furniture. ...
5. Power Tools. ...

What sells fast on Craigslist?

How to Make Money on Craigslist Fast and Easy?

• Electronic items like computers, smartphones, tablets, T.V. sets, etc.
• Furniture like old end tables, beds, couches, dining tables, etc.
• Maternity clothing, baby clothing, and other equipment.
• Old appliances that are working but you no longer need them.
• DVDs, video games, and kitchen appliances.

How to post an item on Craigslist for sale?

• Type the URL http://craigslist.org into your browser.
• Click on the link, "create a posting," that is located on the upper left hand side of the screen.
• Choose the location that best fits your posting.
• Click on the type of post you want to place. ...
• Click the option that best applies to your post or the category that best describes your post.

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What are some alternatives to Craigslist?

Top Craigslist Alternatives

1. Facebook Marketplace. You might think of Facebook as a place to read the latest status updates for your friends or watch viral videos.
2. Offerup. As far as Craigslist alternatives go, Offerup is relatively small. ...
3. Swappa. ...
4. Recycler. ...
5. Oodle. ...
6. Bookoo. ...
7. Geebo. ...
8. Hoobly. ...
9. PennySaver USA. ...
10. ClassifiedAds.com. ...

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Should you put your phone number on Craigslist?

Case in point, when you're placing an ad or responding to an ad, avoid using your personal phone number to communicate with buyers or sellers. Otherwise you're asking to be bombarded by a number of unwanted spam and scam calls.

What form of payment is safe on Craigslist?

CashCash or Check Paying in person with cash or a personal check are the only forms of payment that are recommended by Craigslist. Understand that Craigslist does not guarantee transactions or have any power to correct a transaction gone wrong.

What are the dangers of Craigslist?

The Dark Side: Scammers, Stalkers, and Setups. Scammers use Craigslist to steal money from unsuspecting victims by placing fraudulent advertisements with incredible deals. Buyers are asked to send money orders or checks online, and after making payment, never receive their item.

Is it safe to post an ad on Craigslist?

Craigslist is safe if you use it wisely. Pretty much anyone can post an ad on Craigslist, and unless their account or ad is flagged, or doesn't meet Craigslist's terms of use, they can post an ad for pretty much anything. But you should be cautious about making deals with people through Craigslist.

How do I sell something on Craigslist without getting scammed?

Here are important tips on how to sell on Craigslist safely.Make sure the transaction is worth your time. ... Always use a proxy email address. ... Plan details in advance. ... Meet in public and bring a friend. ... Stay safe when a buyer comes to your house. ... Accept cash only. ... Trust your instincts when vetting buyers.

Should you accept a cashier's check on Craigslist?

Never accept a personal or business check, cashier's check, or money order for more than the purchase price of a product or service and agree to send part of the overpayment to someone else. Ever. Ask the buyer to issue a new check for the correct amount. Never wire money to strangers.

Should you give your email address on Craigslist?

Second, you should remove personal information from your email signature. To stay even safer, consider setting up a separate email address that you only use for Craigslist communications. That way, if someone tries to break into it, they won't have access to the email account you use for everything else.

What can a Craigslist scammer do with my phone number?

Once they have your number, the bad guys can clean out your financial accounts, confiscate your email, delete your data and take over your social media profiles.

How do I verify a seller on Craigslist?

Talk to the person on the phone, if possible, about the deal. If you have to email them first to make the initial contact, ask them for their phone number so you can talk more about the item. ... Meet the person you're doing business with in a public place, such as a coffee shop. ... Complete your transaction in cash.

How do you receive payment from Craigslist?

Follow Craigslist's recommendations about safe transactions to avoid scams and secure a payment from an honest buyer.Provide specific details about your purchase requirements in your post. ... Meet in person with your buyer. ... Accept cash only, even for large purchases.

Is PayPal safe to use on Craigslist?

PayPal isn't as secure as cash when it comes to Craigslist, but as long as you have the buyer's or seller's PayPal email address, you can complete the transaction.

How do you sell on Craigslist for beginners?

0:314:17How to Sell Something on Craigslist - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd select post to classifieds in the upper left corner. Select the type of posting you want to makeMoreAnd select post to classifieds in the upper left corner. Select the type of posting you want to make in this example I'm selling an old bike of mine. So I'll choose for sale by owner.

Is it safe to use credit card on Craigslist?

Website Security You can verify that Craigslist or another website is using SSL by looking for the "https:" header at the beginning of the URL in your browser's address bar. Craigslist also uses SSL to transfer your credit card data to payment processors when you pay for an ad.

Is PayPal safe to use on Craigslist?

PayPal isn't as secure as cash when it comes to Craigslist, but as long as you have the buyer's or seller's PayPal email address, you can complete the transaction.

Is it safe to accept venmo on Craigslist?

As soon as they have your money, they're really gone since Venmo has no buyer protection policies in place. If you are a seller, you're taking a significant risk by accepting Venmo payments. Remember, Venmo says you shouldn't use the app for informal sales, like Craigslist or Facebook market.

What is the safest way to receive money from a buyer?

What Are the Most Secure Payment Methods?Payment Apps. Mobile payment apps are designed to free you from cash and credit cards by allowing you to digitally transfer funds to family, friends, or merchants. ... EMV-Enabled Credit Cards. ... Bank Checks. ... Cash. ... Gift Cards. ... Stay Protected.

What to do if something is too good on Craigslist?

If something seems too good to be true, or just doesn't feel right, listen to that little voice or uneasy feeling. Don't be embarrassed to walk away from a transaction that sets off red flags.

Where to meet a Craigslist seller?

If meeting with a Craigslist contact to buy or sell a small item, take along a buddy and meet in a public place. Coffee shops, malls or even the parking lot of the local police station are all possibilities. Keep your cell phone handy and turned on during the meeting.

How to contact ADT Security?

Expect a call from an ADT Security Specialist as soon as possible. If you want a reply sooner, call us directly at (800) 521-1729.

How many classified ads are there on Craigslist?

According to Statistics Brain, 40 million new classified ads are published on Craigslist every month. 1. If you've heard some of the horror stories of online marketplaces, don't be nervous. As long as you follow Craigslist precautions, selling items online is a great way to clean out clutter while making extra money.

What to do when you are buying a house?

If you are the one buying, bring a friend with you. If that's not possible, make certain to let a friend or family member know where you are going, who you are meeting with and the time of the meeting. Don't enter the seller's home unless it's absolutely necessary, and keep your cell phone within reach.

Can a buyer come to my house on Craigslist?

If you are selling furniture or other large items, the buyer will probably come to your home. Use these Craigslist precautions to make the transaction more comfortable.

Is Craigslist worth it?

Selling on Craigslist takes time; you'll need to answer queries, meet with potential buyers and handle the final transaction. It's probably not worth it if you only have one or two inexpensive items to sell, but if you're selling a big-ticket item—like furniture, jewelry or designer clothing—it may be time well spent.

What to do if your item doesn't sell?

Be prepared with a Plan B if your item doesn’t sell by the deadline. For example, you could hold a garage sale to sell any of your items that didn’t sell on Craigslist, or you could donate your items to charity and take the tax deduction.

What to list when selling a camera?

For example, if you’re selling a camera, list any spare batteries, battery chargers, additional lenses, kit cases, or other accessories in the listing.

How often do you refresh ads on Craigslist?

Craigslist allows you to refresh free ads every 48 hours. For paid ads, you must pay another fee to move your ad back to the top. So, every couple of days log into Craigslist to refresh your ad to keep it toward the top of the listings.

What is the first rule of writing headlines for Craigslist?

The first rule of writing headlines for Craigslist: be specific.

Can you build trust on Craigslist?

Buyers on Craigslist are rightfully wary of the goods they buy secondhand from strangers they’ll never see again. One way you can build trust instantly is disclosing all imperfections with your item up front in the description.

When to schedule pickups for a sandbox?

Schedule all pickups during the day, ideally when someone else can join you.

Who is the first person to show up with cash?

You aren’t operating a library here. The first person who actually shows up with cash and hauls away your item is the buyer. Everything is just talk.

How to describe a seller on Craigslist?

Protip: In your Craigslist seller description, you will want to use as many words as you can to help describe the item you are listing. The more you talk about the product, the more you will naturally include relevant keywords in the description such as a color, manufacture date, etc.

Why is Craigslist honest?

Be Honest in Your Craigslist Listing. Here’s why: Online buyers appreciate honesty from sellers because there are a lot of misleading and dishonest people out there. If you are honest in your ad with your listings and especially with your item photos, you will have happier buyers and sell more successfully.

What are some good apps to use when you have no cash?

If there is no cash, Venmo or a quick-pay option like Chase Quickpay or Zelle are good options, too.

What is a lot in selling?

Selling stuff in a lot is different from batching. A lot is a cluster of items for one price. You buy the whole bundle, not pieces.

Can you remain anonymous on Craigslist?

You could also try using Google voice. Your city and state will be there on the Craigslist selle r listing, but you can remain anonymous.

Is it hard to sell on Craigslist?

It can be incredibly hard to have successful Craigslist sales, however, this guide will give you a few detailed pointers to help put some cash in your pockets. And let’s be honest, it feels good selling items on Craigslist for cash.

Is it faster to delete an ad on Craigslist?

It is actually faster to just click and delete the ad from Craigslist than it is to update it letting people know it has been sold.

How to sell on Craigslist safely?

The final tip on how to sell on Craigslist safely could have been the first tip. You should complete your transactions during the daytime. You’re putting yourself in a lot of risks if you decide to meet a buyer at night. Don’t do it even if you need the money. Only schedule your meetings during the day. I typically do the majority of my transactions between 10 am – 8 pm. I know that I’ll have to adjust that time during the winter when it gets dark early.

Should I drop off something at someone else's house?

I put an asterisk next to this one. Earlier, I said that it’s not wise to drop something off at someone else’s house. In most cases, you shouldn’t invite anyone to your home either. The only reason that you might consider doing that is if you are selling an old car that needs work or a big appliance like a refrigerator. In those cases, you may not have a trailer or truck to meet up with the buyer. They will have no choice but to come to your place. If this is the case make sure that you have good communication with the potential buyer. As long as everything seems fine, you should go through with the transaction.

Can you buy something at night?

Sometimes you may get buyers that want to purchase things at night. Ask them if you can do the transaction in the morning. If they are overly aggressive or pushy, stop communicating with them. That’s a red flag in my book. I want you to be smart and safe, so beware of people trying to only meet up at night.

Can I sell on Craigslist?

If you’ve been on the fence when it comes to selling on Craigslist, do it. There is money to be made from that platform. This guide just went over how to sell on Craigslist safely. Make sure that you use the tips that I discussed above. If you do this, you should have no problems selling on Craigslist.

How to find out which state you should sell on Craigslist?

If you’re not completely sure which area you should sell in, simply go to Craiglist.org, click US , and then scroll states for your own. Once you’ve found your state, check to see how it’s broken up. Some only have one Craigslist, but others may have several, so be careful when choosing. Then simply click on your area and you will be taken to correct site.

What is the best way to sell items?

If you are trying to sell valuables, try somewhere else. Craigslist is awesome for selling everyday items, because it’s where people come looking to make a deal. If you are trying to sell a rare, vintage Barbie, you won’t get a fair or decent price on this site. You’ll do better selling valuable items on specialty sites or even eBay, which is better for getting a fair price due to its international buyers. Sell your old phone or kitchen table set, but keep your original Barcelona chairs for another site.

How to keep Craigslist ads from getting buried?

Be sure to repost or refresh your posts often. Ads get buried on Craigslist, especially in more popular categories and in large communities. You want to keep your post near the top by reposting as soon as it’s expired. This may be less of an issue in smaller communities, but keeping a check on it will tell you how often to refresh the post. Check by looking through the posting category until you find your post. If it’s become buried under other posts, it’s time to repost it. Of course, hopefully your item will sell quickly and this won’t be a problem, but this is why its important to make an account. If you have several items listed and happen to forget about one and it expires, you can repost it from your account.

How to post to classifieds on eBay?

Once you’ve made an account, click on “post to classifieds”, also in the upper left corner. From there you can choose either “for sale by owner” or “for sale by dealer”, choose the one that describes you. You will then be given a list of categories which will make finding your item easier for potential buyers. Pick the category that best fits your item.

How to advertise an item?

Start your ad by explaining exactly what your item is and what condition its in. Make a note of anything that’s wrong with the item, any damages, anything missing, no matter how small it seems to you. This type of thing may be more important to someone looking to buy. As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. Here, it’s absolutely true. If you’re selling an electronic gadget or gizmo, be sure to include technical specs. If you don’t know them, check out the manufacturer’s website. The more clear information you can add, the better your item will sell.

What to say at the end of an ad?

At the end of your ad, repeat the price you’re asking. This helps to ensure potential buyers are aware of the price. There’s a separate section for pricing, but it’s still good to include it in the ad again as well. If you’re willing to accept offers, say that as well. An example of this would be $100 OBO, OBO standing for Or Best Offer.

What to do if you are selling a printer?

If you’re trying to sell a printer and you have extra ink, paper, and photo paper for it, lay them out around the printer for an all-in-one picture or take a pic of them separately from the printer. One way or the other, be sure to include anything that comes extra with the item you are selling.

What is the best payment on Craigslist?

The best form of payment in most cases, according to Craigslist, is cash, since you can verify the amount on the spot. Also, if you're equipped with a fake money detector pen you can immediately determine if larger bills are counterfeit. Craigslist warns against accepting money orders and cashier's checks, since scammers have often made fake ...

Is a phony agent a legit agent?

To secure the space, he asks that you send a deposit, whether by mail or some other means, only for you to find out that the space isn't available at all and he's not a legit agent.

Is Craigslist a scam?

One known scam that has seen many swindled out of money involves someone pretending to be an out of town while trying to lease residential or commercial space. Being aware of this type of scam is especially important for businesses who use Craigslist to shop for office or warehouse space.

Is Craigslist a for profit company?

Legally speaking, Craigslist is a for-profit company. Culturally speaking, however, the Craigslist team wants to sustain a non-corporate, non-commercial nature as a part of promoting its overall public service mission. And a part of that public service is to protect the public -- including businesses who may rely on Craigslist for some ...

Does Craigslist accept money orders?

Craigslist warns against accepting money orders and cashier's checks, since scammers have often made fake versions of these -- leaving the seller without their merchandise and their money when the bank won't cash the checks or money orders. Craigslist also advises against using wire services like Western Union and MoneyGram.

What to do if you meet a buyer in person?

If you meet a buyer in person and they do not have sufficient cash on them, you could ask them to pay for part of the item in cash and cover the rest with a personal check. Remember that by doing this, you run the risk of the check bouncing. ...

What to do if a buyer insists on paying by check?

If a buyer insists on paying by check or some other form, strongly consider calling off the deal. Ask that a buyer pay at least partially in cash. If you meet a buyer in person and they do not have sufficient cash on them, you could ask them to pay for part of the item in cash and cover the rest with a personal check.

How to get cash payment for a house?

Request a cash payment at the time of sale. If you decide to meet your buyer in person, ask that they pay cash. Any honest buyer will understand your hesitance to accept other forms of payment and will gladly stop by an ATM to get the cash. If a buyer insists on paying by check or some other form, strongly consider calling off the deal.

What to do if buyer is not willing to pay in advance?

If the buyer is not willing to pay in advance, do not do business with them. Request a cash payment at the time of sale. If you decide to meet your buyer in person, ask that they pay cash. Any honest buyer will understand your hesitance to accept other forms of payment and will gladly stop by an ATM to get the cash.

Can you ship items on Craigslist?

You are much less likely to be scammed by someone who you meet and transact with face-to-face. Asking a buyer to stop by your house to pick up the item is the norm (and the safest way to transact), but it isn't out of the question to ship an item. Just make sure you understand the risks involved.

Can you forge a cashier's check?

Exercise caution before accepting a cashier's check. Even though these are typically viewed as sound because they are drawn on a bank's funds, they are surprisingly easy to forge. It is not a good idea to do business with a Craigslist buyer who insists on paying by cashier's check.

Is Craigslist a good tool?

Craigslist is an excellent tool for buying, selling or trading used items. Whether you are trying to de-clutter your home by selling a bunch of your unused stuff, selling off large pieces of furniture before a move, or trying to liquidate an old baseball card collection, Craigslist is a handy tool. However, you need to be on ...

Research and Pricing

Headlines That Attract Eyeballs

• The first rule of writing headlines for Craigslist: be specific. Don’t write “Couch for sale.” Write “IKEA Kivik 3-seat sofa couch.” List the brand and model number if known. That not only states clearly what you’re selling, but engenders trust (more on that shortly). Use keywords buyers might search for, so your ad pops up in search results. Notic...

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