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How to Make It on Craigslist

blog.priceonomics.com

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Re: How to Make It on Craigslist

#171

Post by rb2k_ »

DanBC wrote: post #170
rb2k_ wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If this no-one takes it it'll go to landfill. I don't think he takes landfill material since he is able to sell it on craigslist for money only a day or two later.

I don't know what Americans throw in landfill but in England there's plenty of furniture or working electrical items that end up in landfill (or the modern equivalent).

But not if they were on craigslist in the beginning and apparently there are buyers. From what it seems to me, he just tries to be the fastest buyer rather than taking things that can't find buyers

Re: How to Make It on Craigslist

#174

Post by mikeash »

ars wrote: post #160
mikeash wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People rarely feel ripped off buying goods from retail stores, even though everybody knows that retail stores just buy goods for less money than what they charge and make their profit based on that difference.

Not exactly. Retail stores make their profit by buying in bulk and selling individually. Their service is dividing up large orders.

Sure. The point being that people can understand, at least on a basic level, that sort of obscure and indirect service.

This guy's service could be described as dealing with random craigslist sellers for you, who can be quite a hassle if you get unlucky.

Re: How to Make It on Craigslist

#175

Post by sejje »

rkudeshi wrote: post #25
thinkdevcode wrote: post #14

> 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.

Instead of paying off the debt in full, he used some of the earnings on a vacation. But he says he sold some stuff in Hawaii, so it's very possible the trip didn't cost him much or anything at all.

Yes it did. Do you see why?

Re: How to Make It on Craigslist

#176

Post by monirz77 »

Luyt wrote: post #164
roseburg wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a 7" samsung galaxy tab with built in 3g from verizon. I also have a dash mount so I use it as a gps as well as to pull up emails, addresses and listings on the fly. It also acts as a hot spot to give internet to my laptop when I'm traveling.

Couldn't you make some application which scrapes Craigslist every 5 minutes and detects newly posted items, maybe filter them on some criteria, and SMS them to your phone?

The CL app can do that for you. Say, you save a search for "refrigerator" in a certain area, in the "Free" category, the app would notify you (it puts a # on the top bar of your phone) letting you know there's a new listing for "refrigerator". Same thing for "roommate" or "carpenter" jobs, etc.

It's pretty cool, wish I've known this app when I was looking for a free carpet.

Interestingly enough, just last month, I bought on CL and sold a pair of girl's snowboard boots for $15 more in a matter of 4 days. Mostly because I really didn't want it.I was just practicing on my selling skills. I'm more inspired after reading this.

Re: How to Make It on Craigslist

#177

Post by JWLong »

tikhonj wrote: post #155
JWLong wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might not be the most logical thing to do, but it's not like it's necessarily an immoral thing to do (as "Let's rephrase your statement: 'Paying back on things you've already purchased...'" implies). It's one thing if the money is borrowed from a friend or family member (as a charity or with extremely below market interest rates). But the 2.43 trillion dollars of debt that you cite is almost entirely with institut…

It probably isn't even illogical. He makes money in a way that heavily depends on him --his morale and how much work he is willing to put in. I would not be surprised if going on a vacation actually motivated him enough to be a good deal from even a purely fiscal perspective.

Oh yeah, I can totally see that being the case as well. I almost shared a story in my last comment about a guy I knew who, though constantly struggling to stay afloat (most likely below poverty with a wife and three kids), would do his best to buy something nice for his wife (something small, but thoughtful) and sometimes rent a movie that they could all watch when he got home from work.

My dad pointed out "Your family's wellbeing includes their morale."

Either way, only Ryan (and possibly his accountant [probably his wife]) can make that call.

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