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How to Make Money On Craigslist

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By WordWhizKid
User-Submitted Article
(12 Ratings)
Turn your computer into a money -making tool.
Turn your computer into a money -making tool.

If you want to make money online, it doesn't have to be as complicated as you think. Avoid the many scams on the Internet and learn to use Craigslist as a reliable site to make money. The benefits are many: You're probably already familiar with the site, it's easy to navigate, free and has a huge audience. Read on to make money on Craigslist and boost your bank account.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Internet
  1. Step 1

    First, take stock of what you have. You probably have many items laying around that you no longer need or want and you don't even realize it. Start with taking inventory of your electronics. Do you have an old cell phone, regular phone, printer, camera or computer you no longer use? Now, check out your other household items. Do you have any antiques that don't have much meaning to you, are not practical or don't match your decor? How about furniture you don't use? Any appliances you don't need anymore? Think of all the items you would sell if you were having a garage sale and gather them together. You can also add tickets to things you don't want to see, gifts you didn't want or can't use, clothing that doesn't fit, and movie or CD collections you don't need or use anymore. You can even sell your car or car parts and bypass auto listing fees by using Craigslist.

  2. Step 2

    Now that you have a nice collection of items,go to Craigslist and click on your city or area. For larger cities like New York, you can further break it down by what part of the city you are in. Browse the categories under the "For Sale" section to get an idea of how many people are listing things in your area and what the going rates are of items similar to yours. You can also check the "Wanted" section to see what people are looking for and if you have anything someone has already posted a want ad for.

  3. Step 3
    Electronics can make money fast on Craigslist.
     
    Electronics can make money fast on Craigslist.

    Now that you have an idea of what would earn money for you and what people are looking for, take clear photos of your items that you want to sell. Place the items against a white wall or plain floor so they're easy to see. Take a few shots of each item from different angles so people will know what they're getting.

  4. Step 4

    Now list your items. Be as accurate and detailed as possible without throwing in unnecessary personal stories or too much jargon that will bore people. Most people have a short attention span. Be sure to include the basic description, condition and age of the item you are listing. The bigger or more expensive the item, the more details you'll need to include. This will ensure that people don't accuse you of false advertising or demand their money back later. For instance, if you're selling a cell phone with a scratch that still works well, be sure to include this information so you don't do all the work of meeting someone only for them to get mad there's a scratch on the phone and cancel the sale.

  5. Step 5

    Include your payment information. It's generally best to only accept cash so you don't have to worry about fraudulent checks. When a potential buyer contacts you, get their phone number and call them to discuss the details. Be sure to arrange meeting in a public place to sell the item so that it's safe. Malls or crowded parks can be great because there are a lot of people around for safety. Don't meet at your house as this is too risky and no one needs to know your address.

  6. Step 6

    If no one is interested in your item, re-post it every week (deleting the old post because Craigslist does not allow duplicate postings). Re-posting will keep your item at the top of the list since items fall down the list every time a new one is added. If your item still doesn't sell, consider posting it in a wider market, like New York City, and offering to ship it to the person.

Tips & Warnings
  • Be sure to feel out your buyer to make sure he or she is serious so you don't waste your time meeting someone who is not reliable.
  • Bring a friend or spouse with you to meet your customer for safety reasons.
  • Do not reply to offers who say they're from a different country and promise to send a money order for a large amount as this is a scam.

Comments  

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on 10/21/2009 great advice! if you desire to make real mega (cash) fast, easily and legitimate plus view FREE secure online demo play then check out http://www.icashsolution.com

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on 10/21/2009 great advice! if you desire to make real mega (cash) fast, easily and legitimate plus view FREE secure online demo play then check out http://www.icashsolution.com

renoufj said

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on 5/13/2009 If you want to know all the ins and outs about buying and selling on Craigslist you should check out a program called Craigslist Millions. www.craigslistmillions.com

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on 4/19/2009 Great article. Craig's list is a great way to make some money and get rid of items.

Inkling said

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on 1/9/2009 I like the idea of posting in a larger city. Thanks for the tips.

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