Rant, I hate Craigslist!!!!!!

So I have a tank/stand combo up for sale on our favorite bargain web site. So far I have had interest shown but its been the kind that you almost want to respond rude to.

Here is my list of most annoying so far:
1. "Is it still available?" (I respond asap) with no follow up on their part, I did a OBO ad so why not shoot an offer back or something. Have had three of these so far, in the first week.

2. "HI" - that was all one person wrote, I was nice and said the tank was still available. (I guess a prank?)

3. Person wants to give me $15 over asking price to deliver...... to Port Angeles which is clearly not near where my ad said Im located. This is a 45 min, 32 mile drive each way with a toll for the bridge in there. Come on, my time is worth more than that.

4. 'Would you consider donating it to me?' Maybe this one was my fault, I did say or best offer, right? I think it takes a lot to ask for something free (with sob story of a leaking tank, included) when the person is obviously selling it and it is pretty nice looking and quality stuff to boot.

Oh well, my ad continues.... and my patience wears thin. Maybe Im old school, but I dont respond to something unless Im seriously interested. I also do not leave people hanging when they get back to me, I give some sort of clear answer that usually involves the price being too high and to let me know if they decide to lower it.

Thank you for letting me rant.

Well I got one that might be real.

She E-mailed for size of stand. Which made me feel stupid since I posted it was homemade and could have been any size I wanted. I really should have put the height and info on that, so my bad. Then she called and left a voicemail, I texted her, and she texted back and we have an appointment for after her work at 4pm. So this one sounds like it might be a winner.... unless she stands me up, then I can add another rant.

lol someone good will always come along. just gotta be willing to wait it out . hope it works out tho!

Thanks, a little pressure from my wife to clean things up since I got the new column. So I sold my 2.5g betta tank, got the 37g up for sale and have a 29g to put up now too. But it was worth it.

Well 3 1/2 hrs after our appointment and a no show, no call or text.

When I first posted the ad, no interest. Then I redid it with the fact that it had LED lighting and I have been getting a ton of response. I have two more lined up.... will see what happens.

I'm in the same boat, I have flakes (even one person stood me up 5 times).
I had people offer 1/3 of my asking price and that pretty ticked me off.

Wish i could give out names on Wafishbox for flakes to watch out for.

rainy days get better hits.

just do first come first serve, I had people ask me to hold them and had to turn other customers away..and all of the sudden the person asked to hold changed his mind.
Accept non-refundable deposit if they want you to hold. ( a check will be fine).

gobluecichlids wrote: I had people offer 1/3 of my asking price and that pretty ticked me off.

I guess I have you beat since I had a person ask for it for free.

Its funny but I recognized one of the names of a person who responded. Not a fishbox member that I know of but Ive seen him on MFK before.

i had that too..wish i could give out names..

If only we could do something..... to prevent these people from breeding!

Whats stopping you from dropping a name? Maybe they will see it and get a clue.

madness wrote:Whats stopping you from dropping a name? Maybe they will see it and get a clue.

I don't see why you couldn't.

I really want to do some name dropping! The guy who contacted me about wanting the tank for free, is just going through ads and asking everyone. He asked me again like it was the first time. This time I was not even nice.

So if you have a guy named Timothy Peek respond this is what he will say: "I know this is a shot in the dark,would you consider donating it? my wife and i had a 40 gallon tank, but while we were moving it got a crack in it. and now we cant fl it any more than little over half. the crack is on the side from corner to the middle of it. and it cant get it fixed. and we have 2 jack Dempsey, and i am trying to find them a new tank. cause its not right for them to be in a tank that is only half full, and it would mean alot to me and it can really used. if you cant i will understand. Thanks tim"

It was word for word from the email he sent on Oct 13, as it was today. The guy is just asking for free stuff and does not pay attention to who he is responding to.

Craigslist can be the worst and best of people. Sometimes people want to arrange a meet for shrimp for a dollar and olny want to buy 3. Or ask me to deliver a 5 dollar plant and expect me to pay for a ferry ride. On the other hand ive had great luck with bigger ticket items. ... Just keep posting. I post in listings i won't respond to some basic questions if the content is in the initial listing. Just keep at it and a serious buyer will come along.

Thanks, I know it will sell since Ive had a ton of response. I know I am in the right price bracket.

For fun I added this line to my ad: "Just have to add this note: To the guy who has asked for it for free, twice now, I can not give it to you, I paid money for it and need something in compensation. I was very polite the first time. After the second time I was not so polite and ask that you stop replying to my ad for this for free. Thank you. For everyone else I hope this gave a good laugh, it did for me since the guy was fishing for peoples stuff for free."

I almost put the guys name on it.

gobluecichlids wrote:I'm in the same boat, I have flakes (even one person stood me up 5 times).
I had people offer 1/3 of my asking price and that pretty ticked me off.

Wish i could give out names on Wafishbox for flakes to watch out for.

rainy days get better hits.

just do first come first serve, I had people ask me to hold them and had to turn other customers away..and all of the sudden the person asked to hold changed his mind.
Accept non-refundable deposit if they want you to hold. ( a check will be fine).

Gobluecichlids, I was one of your CL inquirers on the 150 gallon tank/hood/stand you sold. I showed up late in the game though, you already had it spoken for by the time I inquired. I did ask you how firm you were on your price, but now low balling!

that tank was on the market for several weeks with no bites, then all of a sudden I got three wanting it the same day..i get days like that.. Although I did get one lowball offer on the 150 for 1/3 off and I just simply deleted the email.

I'm gaging on selling my monster tank (423 gal), is on the market and I had a lowball offer for 1/3 of my asking price.

And as for fishes, now that's a different story, I sell saltwater fishes too, and I had some people would say that he can get the fish at his LFS for 30 for a fish I am selling for $40. Usually I would then confirm the price, however the buyer refused to say which LFS.
So don't fall for that trick, keep in mind the person would not tell you that the LFS that has em is way smaller, say 2" and you're selling a 5".

I play on CL every now and then, but don't waste my time with anyone not willing to give me their cell # to show they are serious.

Well I have a live one for an appointment tonight. This might just be the one.

Then I have another tank to post so it all begins again....

It can be such a pain to deal with craigslist ads, especially because there are so many flakes out there. I s'pose I've gotten used to it.

One gripe I really don't like is when people post an ad, sell whatever item(s) they're selling, and don't take off the ad from craigslist. UGH. Annoys me to no end.

Or people who don't reply back after I send them an e-mail, asking if their item is still available.

Good luck with your CL endeavors DMD123, we're rootin' for ya!

I sold it! Met a really nice guy who was starting up again after a long absence, so I made sure to hook him up with some extras so the fish keeping hobby would be enjoyable. You know someone is out of touch with the hobby when they ask about underground filters. All kidding aside we had a nice talk and we talked about places back in the day like Tropical Fish Imports and what not. I told him about us here at the fishbox and hopefully he joins up because he might be looking for some angel fish. Very nice experience! So now to selling off the other tank.....

So I got the 29g up on craigslist, got a ton of responses and sold it off in 2 1/2 days! Only dealt with one flake with that sale!

But you gotta love those people that think we are all stupid. Like this add, really a 210 retails for $1945 online? How did I miss that deal?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/for/3341121721.html

sounds like he's referring to an acrylic tank. People do anything to get people thinking it's a steal.

Its funny that both tanks I posted I had flakes but the ones who came to buy did not bargain the price down but they paid the full asking price. I knew I was priced well compared to others out there. But I really just wanted the space so I priced them very fair.