Is there anything left of Craigslist?

Craigslist appears to have no redeeming value left whatsoever. Does it exist fo any purpose other than data mining?

If I respond to an ad, I get generic responses that appear to be from bits offering no actual info, and redirecting me to a gmail account. (Which is an end run around CL's security features, and ends up with me revealing my email address).

If I post an ad, I get the same thing.

I posted 2 ads on Sunday, and got this identical response 4 separate times at 6:00 AM this morning, from 4 different addresses with no subject:

CL response said: Hi! I just viewed your ad posted. I can have a look at it this evening between 4:30-8:30pm . i am at work now as i work night shift but will be going home soon, since today is my off day and I can come around today to check it out anytime provided . Could you possibly show it to me this evening? I can come when i leave work on my way home before i have some rest, or first thing tomorrow morning, Let me know what time i can come to take a look it, i want to be sure it's still in good condition before i purchase it and i'm ready to pay in person by cash...You can email me here @ jeanettewirtet02@gmail.com . Let me know asap. Thanks!

How is it possible that 4 different CL users all have an interest in both a used hot water heater and a transmission, and all use the same gmail account?

It's really getting painful.

I havent successfully sold or bought anything on CL for a couple years. I think the book of faces works better now.

My wife sold a washer and dryer in two hours last time we tried, but that was a year ago.

It's a good way to find dealer cars. You'll find those all in the "By Owner" section.

I'm having trouble to. What are the alternatives for selling collector cars these days?

Scratch that.

I have now received the exact same response 37 times, still coming.

I'm pissed.

49

Idk, I just sold 2 things. No drama there.

53

I am in a smaller rural market. I wonder if that makes it worse- are smaller markets easier targets for these jerks?

In reply to SVreX:

IDK, I frequent a few of the relatively local CL sites, some bigger markets, some smaller markets, and don't notice much difference in the signal/noise ratio. As irritating as Craigslist can be at times, particularly selling things, the good still far outweighs the bad for me. The last couple things I've bought have been stellar transactions, arrange time/place a few hours ahead, normal guy, shows up on time, item as represented and priced well.

64

SVreX wrote: 64

With that many, it may not be intentional. The person may have a virus that's sending out without their knowledge. Have you responded to them to see if you get a different response? (probably, but wasn't sure).

-Rob

Sounds like you need a spare email address. You could also +tag your email address (example+craigslist@example.com) if your mail system supports it, but spammers can strip your tag easily.

In reply to rob_lewis:

They are all coming from different user addresses.

All random 4 digit names.

I've been testing out Let Go as a buyer for a few weeks now, the seller response rate is no better than CL. That is to say lousy.

In reply to Mike:

I have a spare email account, but it doesn't help me.

With that big a flood of junk, there is pretty much no chance of me seeing any real responses to my ads.

What does the tag accomplish?

Remove the ad and re-list it??

spitfirebill wrote: Remove the ad and re-list it??

It will come to that when I get home this evening.

Unfortunately, this is not a single occurence. It's pretty much every time I interact with CL (although this time is much worse).

And it wasn't 1 ad. It was 3 separate ones, all getting the same treatment.

I have good luck.

With 3 separate ads acting the same way, it makes me think CL is a disaster.

Maybe I should take it more personally and assume it is only happening to me?

SVreX wrote: In reply to Mike: I have a spare email account, but it doesn't help me. With that big a flood of junk, there is pretty much no chance of me seeing any real responses to my ads. What does the tag accomplish?

You can filter on it. "When messages to 'example+1234567890@example.com' arrive, place in inbox."

A week later, or when the abuse starts,

"When messages to 'example+1234567890@example.com' arrive, place in spam folder."

In reply to Mike:

OK, so I would be dumping all responses, including any real human responders.

Might as well kill the ad. No point in leaving it up.

I'm off to search for a hotwater heater and a transmission in your market just so I can join in on the fun!

I think I will ask, "do you still have IT?"

Stop searching for hookers on Craigslist. It doesn't work like that.

In reply to Appleseed:

So, if I order a hooker on CL, I won't get 64?

That's disappointing.

SVreX wrote: In reply to Appleseed: So, if I order a hooker on CL, I won't get 64? That's disappointing.

You might, but she'll be used (and not get very hot) and there's a tranny pun in there somewhere but I'm not searching too far for it.