With the rise of the Internet came the ascent of the incredibly convenient online shopping for new or used goods. Notorious examples include eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon, but nearly every physical storefront has an eCommerce shop, as well.
One website that shone strong and bright for a long time was Craigslist. Originally created in 1995 to share local event news in San Francisco, Craigslist evolved into a platform for sharing jobs and eventually, the buying and selling of used items.
Known for its clean and simple interface, and easy useability, Craigslist was a popular spot to share rental listings, used car ads, and community events. It was a workable website for people without extensive tech-savvy skills.
As with anything positive, there were negatives. There was no shortage of Craigslist problems.
Scammers were known to take advantage of the popularity of the site, creating false or misleading listings, fully aware that there were enough people that someone would trust them enough to fall for their untrue ad.
Internet safety was a growing concern, and folks shared tips on staying secure when meeting potential buyers and sellers from websites.
A common swindle involved a buyer required to send funds through a credit card, so it became frequent advice to complete transactions with cash only.
To stay safe, it was (and still is) advisable to meet only in populated areas, and always check in with a friend on your planned location and time of meeting. Not everyone was a trickster or full of ill-intent, but one bad apple, as they say.
Despite a bit of a bad rep, Craigslist had a very lucrative career as the best online spot to buy and sell used items, so long as one was wise and careful. Some folks could make a generous income reselling household goods, clothes, and nearly anything imaginable.
In the past few years, Craigslist seems to have been taken over by car dealerships and rental property owners who flood the forums with daily, repeated postings.
At the same time, multiple other sites and apps began to offer useful, user-friendly experiences, and the users of Craigslist slowly turned elsewhere for their previously-loved items.
While still utilized for local listings, provided one knows how to post or search appropriately, it may be worthwhile to explore other options.
The already-mentioned eBay and Amazon giants offer shipping options. Facebook Marketplace has a secure feeling from being attached to personal profiles.
Etsy is popular for handmade and vintage items. Poshmark is full of used wardrobe goodies. Carvana allows for the buy, sell, or trade of used vehicles, and has an enticing home-delivery option. Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn have all become accepted options for job postings. OfferUp was intially founded as a competitor to Craigslist, but offers a mobile-friendly app and allows for users to rate one another after interactions.
While other options obviously need exploring, as one site may be best for selling a specific type of item or having more luck in a certain city, Craigslist is not entirely gone the way of the dinosaur. It can absolutely be a feasible option, with some patience and persistence.
Still boasting millions of monthly visitors, Craigslist has positives to offer. There is no harm in checking out other websites for swapping goods and learning what is best for each item or area.
For many, part of discovering practical finds is the thrill of the hunt. So sit back, charge the phone or laptop, think up some handy search keywords, and make a day out of selling that old refrigerator in the garage, or of unearthing another vinyl record for your massive collection that you never knew you wanted.
