I made a tool that does something a lot like this that uses machine learning algorithms. I gave up on it a while back, but give it a look. http://ec2-184-72-247-63.compute-1.amazonaws.com
I called it Eds-list
How to Make It on Craigslist
31–40 of 177 posts
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's low-end Goldman Sachs market-making. Tinman Sachs, maybe. Not extremenly different from panhandling. It's definitely abusive of the Craigslist community. Blah blah "price discovery is a service in a free market blah blah" does not apply to Craigslist. There are a few ways a job like this could be ethical and productive, respecting the hippie community culture of Craigslist but improving efficiency in exchange fo…
> Not extremenly different from panhandling. I want to say you're wrong, but I'm not even sure how you reached this conclusion. > It's definitely abusive of the Craigslist community. How so?
I think the point is that Craigslist itself is supposed to connect buyers and sellers, and he's inserting himself aggressively between them for profit, adding no real value.
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#33It's very impressive that he's able to earn so much money and support his family via Craigslist, but I can't help but think about how useful (or not useful, really) his job is for the overall economy. Basically, he's another middleman - buying goods for a low price and selling them higher. Without him in the picture, buyers could have purchased their items for less and saved money. I just don't see how this job adds…
Well, he is delivering them, and taking old appliances away when he delivers them. There is a lot of value in that. He is also adding "liquidity" to the "market" by immediately buying new listings, and holding them for a few days until the right buyer comes along. Without someone like him the seller would have to wait several days to find the right buyer.
I doubt very much that sellers would appreciate this liquidity "service" if it were spelled out for them. They would feel cheated, as would the buyers.
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#34I made a tool that does something a lot like this that uses machine learning algorithms. I gave up on it a while back, but give it a look. http://ec2-184-72-247-63.compute-1.amazonaws.com I called it Eds-list
Seems to find all the fraud listings pretty well
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#35I made a tool that does something a lot like this that uses machine learning algorithms. I gave up on it a while back, but give it a look. http://ec2-184-72-247-63.compute-1.amazonaws.com I called it Eds-list
The predicted numbers seem way off to me based on spot-checks. For example, I searched for "chair" in NYC, and for a number of normal office chairs listed at $30-50, the "Ed's list" price predicts that they're really worth $180-500!
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#36It's very impressive that he's able to earn so much money and support his family via Craigslist, but I can't help but think about how useful (or not useful, really) his job is for the overall economy. Basically, he's another middleman - buying goods for a low price and selling them higher. Without him in the picture, buyers could have purchased their items for less and saved money. I just don't see how this job adds…
Not to mention, when i give something away on cl, I'd like it to go to someone that needs it, not a wheeler dealer parasite living off the goodwill of others. Imho
The reseller needs the money he makes too. This guy was clearly in a bad situation when he started and being a "wheeler dealer parasite" provided for his family that needed the money.
How is this worse than someone who needs the item getting it for free?
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#37I did this in college, however, since graduating and getting a full time job I've quit.
I mainly stuck with electronics, and even then it was mostly TVs. I found that I could very easily purchase TVs for $100-$200 less than what I could sell them for.
It was fun, and I've seriously considered doing it on weekends again, however now that I live in a large city (Atlanta) I feel like there is a lot more research that has to go into an item... Mostly because people from an hour a way from the city center will claim they are within the city and so on. In college I was in a city of 150k people, and could get to the outer "suburbs" in at most 30 minutes.
My current TV was one of the first 1080P 50" Plasmas... It still works perfectly and looks great. I bought it from a couple for $750. (Bought with the profits from selling buying and selling TVs)
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#38I really dig his attitude and sense of accomplishment. Who'd a known a pawn shop with free pickup would be so successful.
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#39> I started the year with almost nothing and ended with a used van, a new utility trailer, less debt, fully paid bills and money left to take the family to Hawaii. > less debt > family to hawaii Something does not compute here.
I think you're missing a variable that equals "Having zero debt at all times is not everyone's highest priority".
Let's rephrase your statement:
"Paying back on things you've already purchased with someone elses money is not everyone's highest priority"
Now we take this statement and multiply it by 34 million, and we have the reason why America's total US consumer debt is 2.43 trillion.
I dont mean to nitpick, but I get really annoyed when people do extravagant things when they can't afford it.
Re: How to Make It on Craigslist
#40Now he just needs to scale it. Hire a few people to go out and get the items, use software to help filter new leads, branch out into related areas.