Selling on Craigslist - Do's and Do Not's

Actual craigslist photo and an example of a good photo. The condition of the pieces is very clear and the setting is uncluttered and the lighting is good!

My daughter is having a garage sale over the weekend and asked me for some craigslist tips for her listing. It reminded me of the do's and don't I have adopted over the years for my own listings (and even more for judging sellers).  I have written about this in the past but thought a refresher might be useful.

Craigslist is an amazing medium for buying and selling almost anything and it is FREE so what's the big deal about fine-tuning the listing itself? After all, there is no-one judging your submission, no word limits to manage and no template to follow. In my judgement, however, it is even more important to do this right in order to secure sales and responses. There is so much activity that only well written and illustrated ads can even be really seen in the clutter.

Here are some do's and don't

• Be brief and concise but provide critical details about your location and your items for sale (e.g., age, condition, materials).
• ALWAYS provide some photos of items for sale taken in a clutter-free, well-lit environment (I have gotten to the point of only clicking on ads that have photos - using the thumb-nail versions to quickly go through many ads).
• Include an electronic way to communicate either using your own email address or (preferably) enabling individuals with questions to communicate through craigslist itself - I only very rarely respond/ask questions if I am required to make a phone call - it is too inconvenient!
• Include price - do not use a "bidding" or "best offer" process with no mention of your asked for price.
• Provide enough information about your location to inform potential buyers of how far they will be traveling - but don't give full address in ad. 
• Clearly describe condition of item being sold so that there are no surprises when person comes out to look at it (e.g., broken/repaired, in need of reupholstering, 

Here are some don't:

• Do not provide photographs that are too small or poorly-lit or show too many items in the same photograph - photograph each primary item separately (it's free)!
• Do not combine items in the same ad (the exception of this would be a garage or estate sale or where pieces are sold together such as dining table and chairs and sometimes a living room set). 
• Do not use "stock" photos - photos copied from a catalog for example with note that this item is exactly the same.

  

  Example of poor photo - too many items in photo - not well positioned 

  

  Example of poor photo - neither a good photo of item for sale or neat and clean and free of clutter

  
  

Spring Sales -- When it Rains it Pours

It is raining (again) today in our area and that gives me an opportunity to review my last week/weekend activities searching out sales and other venues to buy refurbish-able (new word) upholstered furniture. All this rain has made this one of the loveliest springs I can remember and springs are always nice in the  South!

We had some gorgeous days last week that kept me leaving the house to be out and about doing my favorite form of treasure hunting. I do a regular scan of Craig's list and ended up on two trips to Snellville (east of the city) and one to Kennesaw (north and west of the city) buying up three van loads of furniture:

• Chair and ottoman with unique asian style wood base - desperately in need of new upholstery.
• Bergere chair and ottoman - nice pecan/walnut woodwork - oversized.
• Leather chair and ottoman - well made - will lose its leather.
• Pair of Sherrill Tall Wing Back Chairs - solid but really needing sprucing up.

That should have been enough but the sales on Friday (and to a lesser extent Saturday) were wonderful. Here are some highlights.

Site of large garage sale in Brookhaven right across from the golf course.  Bought five pieces here - a French style chair, a pair of down-cushioned club chairs and two stylish painted wood-frame chairs. 

This first sale on Friday was great and this is where my spring distraction comes in. I didn't take any photos of the pieces I bought here and have already dropped them off at my upholsterer. I try to photograph all my "before" pieces and that task was just totally forgotten.

This very nice sale had some pieces I wanted but was just not willing to pay their price - I particularly loved that great pink settee!

This was actually may favorite sale. The people running it had done a wonderful job of organizing and labeling (you'd be surprised how often this is not done) and the items were interesting. The upholstered pieces, however, were in too good shape for me - didn't need reupholstering at all!

One of my favorites - Vicki - was having a sale this weekend. I bought four of the top left chairs and am redoing in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - my husband was shocked (disgusted) in how nasty they were - had been stored in the garage for some time. I predict they will make a dramatic "before" and "after" showing. I also bought two slipcovered slipper chairs that have good bones and will be nice redone.  I should have bought the chaise lounge but no longer had room!

So, all in all, a good week/weekend. Now to transform these pieces and try to recoup some of my costs.