If Craigslist cost $1
sethgodin.typepad.com
If Craigslist cost $1
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Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#2The number of scam artists using the site would go down, because it's more difficult to be anonymous when money changes hands.
Only slightly more difficult. The reality is that stolen credit card numbers are easily available to anyone who really wants to find and buy them (in bulk) and so using "ability to pay money" as a criteria for detecting non-scammers is weak. That's precisely because what scammers are good at is illegal acts, like getting stolen credit card numbers.
Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#3this reminds me of the "if email cost a penny" arguments. I think i agree, but I haven't thought about it enough to see the likely ramifications.
Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#4The number of scam artists using the site would go down, because it's more difficult to be anonymous when money changes hands. Only slightly more difficult. The reality is that stolen credit card numbers are easily available to anyone who really wants to find and buy them (in bulk) and so using "ability to pay money" as a criteria for detecting non-scammers is weak. That's precisely because what scammers are good at…
Good argument.
Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#5Or maybe it would become just like ebay.
Re: If Craigslist cost $1
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Re: If Craigslist cost $1
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Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#8From what I've read around the Internet, Craigslist is perfectly happy being one of the worlds largest websites run by 32 people. I don't think they want to grow to a huge marketplace, or want to make billions. They sound like a company that's perfectly happy with their place on the 'Net and thats that.
From their Wikipedia article, "Other factors he [Craig Newmark] cites are consistency of down-to-earth values, customer service and simplicity."
To me, those go away if they start charging for posts.
Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#9this reminds me of the "if email cost a penny" arguments. I think i agree, but I haven't thought about it enough to see the likely ramifications.
The only thing that would likely happen in both cases, craigslist and email, is people would set up free alternatives instantly. Everything needed for that is out there for free already, ready to run.
Re: If Craigslist cost $1
#10The number of scam artists using the site would go down, because it's more difficult to be anonymous when money changes hands. Only slightly more difficult. The reality is that stolen credit card numbers are easily available to anyone who really wants to find and buy them (in bulk) and so using "ability to pay money" as a criteria for detecting non-scammers is weak. That's precisely because what scammers are good at…
I think the point is it would become much less worthwhile to spam the site, at least with 'simple' spam. Stolen credit card numbers are easily available but using them just to spam Craigslist is probably a poor return on investment. Ironically, more complex scams could become more worthwhile if users start to show a higher level of trust in ads because they've been paid for.