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Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

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Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#3

Post by grapevines »

Network effect, reliability, free, anonymous, ability to run without JavaScript.

If Craigslist decided to modernize today, they could potentially disrupt the state of things on the internet. Facebook is trying to move in on their territory for sure. Unfortunately, I don't think they will. If a new-kid-on-the-block could offer anonymity, reliability, and free regional market based transactions, with preferably integration with Monero, it would be a killer app for the crypto industry.

Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#4

Post by vonklaus »

I almost always fight the SV meme that largely founders focus on throwaway trivial ideas. I just think this is so stupid. Craigslist is one of the few companies that isnt greedy, is community driven, and if there are examples using there outsize market to kill competitirs or act nefarious-- I havent heard them.

I did 3 craigslist deals in the past 2 days. Got coffee with a stranger at 2am who let me flash an os to a drive he sold me for cheap..at 2am.

Craigslist is the email of startups. It works well enough, its a cockroach, and other substitute & complimentary companies fill its gaps. Ebay, etsy, amazon, tradesy, ect.

This isnt even a problem. I have done hundreds of deals and havent had a bad experience. Have others; Absolutely. Do I think its common, not in my experience. I suspect the percentage is low, but I dont have data.

Craigslist is what ai would like to see other companies model after, simplicity, community and no greed.

I may be alone, but i find this absurd and destined to fail. Is it profitable? Probably, but show me that balance sheet. Probably founders not oaying themselves, a tiny server and an apartment. I dont want to belittle the founders, they must have had a terrible experience, but this doesnt seem like a profitable or good strategy at all

Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#5

Post by grapevines »

lossolo wrote: post #2

When I saw HN first time i thought the same about it (without janky). Sometimes it's all about the content and user base, look at 4chan also.

Yeah, I actually would like to see a modern HN / Craigslist blend. One thing both sites do well is having a simple quick-loading site which works without JavaScript.

Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#7

Post by codingdave »

It isn't universal, though. One of the things you find if you move to Utah is, "Don't bother with Craigslist." I mean, it exists here. It gets some use. But most people use the online classifieds from ksl.com, the local TV station. At least, I think it is a TV station. I've never watched it, but everyone uses their online classifieds instead of craigslist. Their site also is ugly, and full of difficult buyers and poor experiences. And somehow it beats craigslist in Utah.

Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#8

Post by smallgovt »

I find it interesting that there's a general undertone that CL is being "honorable" by choosing to not make more profit.

I have no doubt Craig's intentions were honorable, but in reality, his refusal to make money to fund the site's innovation is hurting society. His users are screaming "TAKE MY MONEY AND MAKE THE SITE (MY LIFE) BETTER", but he refuses to do so and everyone is worse off because of it!

In a way, it's lazy and selfish, and nobody can do anything about it because..network effects.

When money exchanges hands, generally, value is being delivered. He refuses money which, in essence, equates to refusing to deliver value.

Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#9

Post by jasonkostempski »

zerr wrote: post #6

But you still can't search remote jobs, or any jobs without specifying exact town...

I don't get why you can't search for anything across the towns. If I'm looking for something hard to find but is reasonably shippable, I might want to take the risk of a trusting the seller or work out some escrow type thing.

Re: Craigslist Is Ugly, Janky, Old School, and Unbeatable

#10

Post by maxxxxx »

vonklaus wrote: post #4

I almost always fight the SV meme that largely founders focus on throwaway trivial ideas. I just think this is so stupid. Craigslist is one of the few companies that isnt greedy, is community driven, and if there are examples using there outsize market to kill competitirs or act nefarious-- I havent heard them. I did 3 craigslist deals in the past 2 days. Got coffee with a stranger at 2am who let me flash an os to a…

Are you saying Craigslist is a tiny server in an apartment?
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