How to Negotiate Prices on Craigslist Ads
The website Craigslist is a virtual marketplace where anyone can post free listings of services and items to sell in their area. You can find cars, furniture, computers, clothing and even real estate on Craigslist. Most items on Craigslist are secondhand and offered for sale by people who are just trying to get rid of some of their stuff. Items are often listed for a higher price than the sellers are hoping to get since negotiation is expected on Craigslist.
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Instructions
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Determine a fair price. When you see an item you're interested in on Craigslist, take some time to search the Internet for other similar items to get an idea of how much they are going for.
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Email the seller and ask a few questions about the item, including how soon he wants to get rid of it, expressing your interest without bringing up the price.
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Offer a lower price to the seller after he emails you back. Include any incentives you can offer him, such as paying with cash or paying the same day. It's realistic to expect he will accept your offer. If not, politely thank him for his time.
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Wait a few days or weeks. You may lose out on the item with this tactic, but if it doesn't sell, your chances of getting it for a lower price go up as the seller gets more desperate. It's possible he will contact you during this time to accept your previous offer since he already has your email address.
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Contact the seller again. If the item hasn't been sold yet, offer to buy it once again for a lower price. At this point, the seller should be more likely to accept your offer. If not, you can continue negotiating, adding a few dollars to your offer until you agree on a price.
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