HOW TO BUY AND SELL ON CRAIGSLIST

HOW TO BUY AND SELL
ON CRAIGSLIST
WHAT IS IT?
● Classified advertisements website that helps
people...
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Buy or sell items locally
Buy or sell services locally
Find places to live
Find jobs
and more!
CRAIGSLIST SECTIONS
● Splits listings into local sites
○ http://chicago.craigslist.org
● Has multiple categories
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Housing
Jobs
For Sale
Services
Resume
● Our focus will be buying and selling
BUYING
● Go to http://chicago.craigslist.org (if in
Chicago area)
● Then, select which region you’d like to
search in:
Northwest Suburbs
City of Chicago
Northwest Indiana
North Chicagoland
South Chicagoland
West Chicagoland
BUYING
● If you do not select a
region, your search will
include all of
Chicagoland.
● Next, select For Sale or
choose a category to
browse or search from.
Categories
SEARCHING
● Results will appear based on what you
clicked.
● You can now narrow your search by using
the search feature at the top of the page.
LISTINGS
● By default, newest listings will appear first.
● If you find something you’re interested in,
click on the link.
● You will be taken to a page with a further
description of the item.
CONTACTING SELLERS
● Good sellers will have pictures of items to
show condition.
● Some sellers use the email relay function
for initial contact. Click the Reply button,
copy the email address, and email the seller.
CONTACTING SELLERS
● Others may have a
phone number listed
for contact or offer a
phone number once
initial contact has
been made.
Click to
contact
seller
Location
Item
description
Phone # may be
listed in item
description
BE QUICK!
● Things sell rather quickly
on Craigslist.
● Don’t be surprised if you
receive no response.
● Good sellers will
message you with details
to arrange for a final inperson sale.
SELLING ON CRAIGSLIST
SELLING
● Go to http://chicago.craigslist.org (if selling in
Chicago area).
● Left-click post to classifieds near the top
left corner of the screen.
● Then, choose the type of posting
SELLING
● Next, select a Category
for the item. Choosing
the most accurate
category will help you
sell the item quicker.
● Choose your general
location and click
Continue.
SELLING
● Give your post a title. This should be a brief
summary of the item.
● Give it a price.
● Specify your city.
○ It’s better to leave your exact address blank for
privacy purposes.
DESCRIBE YOUR ITEM
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Give a full description of your item.
Be very clear about what’s for sale.
Include brand names and model years.
Note the item’s condition.
CONTACT INFO
● Choose your method of contact.
● You do not have to give your phone number.
● Using CL mail relay is the safest option.
MAIL RELAY
● Mail relay allows potential buyers to contact
you easily without exposing your personal
email address.
● Craigslist is notified first and then they
forward the message to you.
ADD IMAGES
● Including quality images of items you are
selling will improve your chances of selling
items quickly.
Choose images you wish to upload
Click when done
PREVIEW AND PUBLISH
● Once you’ve added images, you will see a
preview of what your final post will look like.
● You may choose to edit your post here.
● If your post is finalized, click Publish.
● Finally, you must confirm your post by
clicking a confirmation link from
Craigslist in your email.
CRAIGSLIST SAFETY!
BUY SAFELY
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Trust your gut.
Know what you’re trying to buy.
Know what you’re willing to pay.
Don’t buy without seeing a picture.
Pay in cash - never use checks!
Meet in person - this lowers the risk of being
scammed.
BUY SAFELY
● Bring a friend or family
member to the location of the
sale.
● Check out Craigslist’s
resources on scams:
○ http://www.craigslist.
org/about/scams
SELL SAFELY
● Trust your gut.
● Don’t post your phone number in your initial
post.
○ Only give this out to arrange a meeting to complete
a sale.
● Don’t post your address!
○ Only give this out to arrange a meeting to complete
a sale.
SELL SAFELY
● Be very clear on the terms of your sale
and price.
● Require payment in cash.
○ This helps deter scammers!
● Complete the sale in person.
● Check out Craigslist’s resources on
scams:
○ http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE...
My contact information is:
Jason Pinshower
Instruction and Technology Librarian
847.279.2255
jpinshower@indiantrailslibrary.org