Can't wait to hear the answers on this. I finally gave up trying to sell on CL .. the scam e-mails are so annoying and I never got any real hits despite putting up what I thought were nice pictures.

When selling on Craigslist it is helpful to have lots of GOOD pictures, and a very complete description. What the table is made of, all of the dimensions, etc.

I've sold furniture on Craigslist. I would absolutely make sure you aren't alone when someone comes to your door.

List the manufacturer of the table in the title. All of my Bombay Co. stuff flew out the door as long as Bombay Co. was in the title.

I agree that the scam e-mails are ridiculous!!!!! I always try to be fair but first come, first serve is really the best way to go. I've had a few mean spirirted folks who must have thought it was fun to keep e-mailing me w/ questions and then at the last minute say that I lived too far away or something even when it stated what area the item was.

I would always state in my e-mail response that my husband and I would be available at such and such a time.

I look on Craiglist a lot. It annoys me so much when there are no measurements! Also, describe the type of wood your table is made from and what color it is as sometimes pictures are deceiving. I agree - if it's a good manufacturer, use the name. Also, what it cost new. If the table legs come off for transport, put that in your description as well. That can make a big difference.

Good pictures, provide the dimensions, mention any flaws, give the name brand if you can. Price it competitively, because I won't even send an e-mail to someone who has priced their item too high. The e-mails from scammers are obvious and just something you have to deal with. Get important key words in your post, such as farm table, since serious buyers will do a word search.

Then, just wait for someone to come along. It will stay on craigslist for 45 days, I think, and someone looking for what you have to sell will find you. I would delete it and immediately repost maybe monthly.

I have never sold anything on CL and have only bought 3 items, recently. I am always hearing about scammers and have noticed some people even post on CL when they feel they have been scammed. I have come across the occasional ad that states "no scammers asking if the item is still availabe" Why is asking if an item still available considered scamming? I do notice that often times I dont get a response to CL ads. Maybe they think I'm scamming... or are some sellers just hypersensative?

I have looked at rugs lately and I find it anoying if the seller dosent put the dimensions.

Definitely mention something about the "decorating style" in the title -- country french, eames, MCM, victorian, etc. I shop CL alot and I always search for my style first. Also, photos, photos, photos -- I hate it when I see an interesting title and zero photos!

-- Say that you will accept only cash.

-- Tell them that THEY are responsible for moving the furniture.

-- Don't put your telephone number in the ad. Tell them to contact you via the ad, and tell them to put THEIR phone number in their email, and that YOU will call THEM.

-- This might sound politically incorrect, but I prefer to answer ads that are articulate and detailed. If I get an email that says "Hay I like ur tabel, will u deliver?" -- Then I don't bother responding.

-- As others have said, list measurements, conditions, whether the table comes from a nonsmoking environment.

-- Careful of hard-luck stories. Again, it might be nice to sell your table to a single mother with six handicapped children, but don't let the buyers' stories sway you. You have no way of knowing if they're true.

-- If you get no responses, go back to your ad and EDIT it. More details, lower price, whatever. Don't delete it and try to post a new ad... Craigslist won't let you do it.

Good luck!

Eclecticme, there are some super-sensitive sellers on craigslist. I don't know why some people are offended by e-mails asking if an item is still available. Not everyone remembers to remove the ad after they sell it, and it seems like a perfectly good question to ask.

Some sellers are concerned about spammers getting hold of their e-mail address, but the spammers are easy to spot and you can always use a yahoo or hotmail account for use with craigslist. And why do people go to the effort to write "no spammers!" As if that's going to solve the problem.

As for why sellers don't respond to you, it's hard to say. When trying to buy something, I make the e-mail as personal as possible and mention what city I live in. And I still don't hear back from some people.

Speaking of sensitive sellers, I have been watching this guy trying to sell these two pieces of furniture and a mirror for six weeks. He has posted them 8 times with no pictures, and raised the price from 350 to 375. But doesn't this ad just make you want to do business with him (and remember, no pictures in his ad):

Large dresser for sale....has six drawers and 3 small drawers in the middle. It comes with a mirror that can be detached or attached. Also there is a small dresser. It has 3 drawers. The furniture is a complete set. It is beautiful, sturdy and vintage in excellent shape. The color of the furniture is light-brown/tan.

Will only reply to calls. No E-mail's.

[phone number]

You must haul and pick-up.

No SPAM. Spammers will be reported and blocked. No E-mail's.

Call only if you are seriously interested. You must provide pick-up day and give your location. I will find out if you are an out-of-state person. So don't think I won't take action for scammers.

CASH ONLY. NO CHECKS OF ANY KIND!

Thanks and God Bless.

I've bought several items and sold a couple of things on CL. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1) Photos

Include at least one medium-resolution, clear picture of what you're trying to sell. These days, there's almost no excuse for posting an ad without a picture. If you don't have a camera, you surely know someone who does. Even a low resolution phone picture is better than nothing. Avoid ultra high resolution pictures because they take too long to load, and people with slow connections will be too impatient to wait.

Photos accomplish several things. First of all (and this is something a lot of sellers don't think about), they'll get your ad a lot more eyeballs (that's the official Internet term for viewings) than you would get otherwise. Many people won't even read an ad unless there's a photo -- that's why even a bad photo is better than none. Second, they'll save you time because you won't have to answer a lot of inquiries to describe the item better or make appointments for people who will end up not buying because they imagined the item to be different than it is. (And remember, even if people are somewhat interested, most won't bother sending an email for more info.) You may not know the age, style, manufacturer, or type of wood, but buyers may be able to deduce some of that information from the photos. Finally, photos will give an indication of condition, color, proportions, and size.

Obviously, the photos should be as clear as possible. You should also make an effort to eliminate anything that could be distracting from the background, and, for furniture, to shoot the photos in a simple room setting, rather than in a crowded basement or garage. CL allows up to four photos per ad, so include multiples if you can. One photo should show the entire piece, and the others could show details (carvings, drawer construction, manufacturer's label, any damage, etc.) Pay attention to your camera settings so the colors will be as true as possible.

2) Title

The ad title should be as descriptive as possible, because a lot of people search by title only, especially if it's in a popular category. Even when people search by browsing, they usually won't read an ad unless the title is dead on. I'm always amazed at how vague ad titles can be (i.e., "Table" instead of "Antique 19th century rustic oak farm table with drawer". It's OK to be redundant; in fact, redundancy is good. Don't use words that are vague and subjective (like "gorgeous" or "to die for") because people never search that way. You might gain an extra eyeball or two from the category browsers, but if you use these words in place of more objective, meaningful terms, you'll miss out on the keyword searchers who are more likely to be serious about buying.

3) Description
Here you need to provide as much information as you possibly can: type of furniture, style, color, age, manufacturer, size, place was it was made, condition, any known repairs. For size, be sure to include all three dimensions (height, width or length, depth), and use words or letters to indicate which is which. (I can't believe how many people don't include furniture measurements -- what does it take?) If you're selling a chair or sofa, give both the height of the seat and the height of the back. For condition, try to be as accurate as possible. List any flaws so that people won't use them as an excuse for asking for a lower price or not buying -- they knew about the flaws before they made the appointment to see the piece, and you can say that you took them into consideration when you set the price.

For type of furniture, use as many synonyms as you can, as long as they fit. For example, if you're selling a dresser, you could also use bureau, chest of drawers, and highboy, tallboy or lowboy if appropriate, etc. Watch out for compound words (washstand, footstool, etc.) because some people will write them as two words, so you should include both versions. If you know the type of wood, include it, but remember, to a lot of people, any dark wood is mahogany, and any reddish wood (even mahogany) is cherry (they must be confusing the wood with the fruit). In some case, it might be smart to say something like "mahogany or walnut" or "I believe it's chestnut, but it could be oak". Also, watch out for color names -- how many people really know what chartreuse, carmine, and viridian are? Be sure to also use their common-language equivalents.

If you know the furniture manufacturer, list it, especially if it's a well-known, prestigious one. Also list the model name if you know it. If you don't know the manufacturer, you can always say, "similar to xxx by yyy", which may attract buyers looking for that specific brand and model.

Provide as much information as you possibly can ("original upholstery", "reupholstered 1 year ago with child-proof fabric", "solid brass toecaps", etc). If you can, point out that the furniture is from a clean, non-smoking home with no pets.

If your price is firm, it's best to say so in your ad, so people don't waste your time. If your item is large and you can deliver it, you could say say something like, "Delivery within 10 miles available for additional $20". That could be a reason for someone to choose your sofa over an identical one that's a little cheaper.

4) Keywords
CL allows you to add keywords, so add names of nearby towns or other search terms.

5) Category
Pay attention to what category you post in. In my area (Boston), people are more likely to advertise antique furniture in the "Furniture" category than in the "Antiques" category, but there's no reason why an antique couldn't be listed in both.

6) Timing
Ads are listed by day, so it's best to wait until the actual day you want the ad to appear. Otherwise, it could get buried. CL has rules about how frequently you can repost. For furniture, I'd try to list in on a Friday, because a lot of people don't have time to shop during the week.

7) Multiple items
Don't combine multiple items in one ad unless they are clearly related (a dining or bedroom set, for example). If you're willing to break up a set, say so. If you have multiple ads running at the same time, you can add a note at the bottom of each telling people how to to find your other ads. "See my ad for two matching wing chairs in fabric that goes perfectly with this sofa. Search on xxx."

8) Miscellaneous
It's a good idea to say something like, "This ad will be removed when the item is sold," and then do it. This will save a lot of aggravation on everyone's part.

Good luck!

With furniture especially, it also good to include information about how difficult or easy it will be to move it. For example, if it's on a first floor and there are no steps, say so. Or it's on a third floor walk-up, it's better to warn people ahead of time so they don't back out when they get there.

If an item is heavy or awkward, you could say, "Will require two strong people to move." Conversely, if it's light and easy to move, you should definitely point that out.

" I don't know why some people are offended by e-mails asking if an item is still available." -Graywings

Thank you for saying that!

I e-mailed a seller 3 times over the weekend & never heard back. A simple "Yes" to the query, "Did you sell your dining chairs?" would have been fine. I don't expect a dissertation--"Yes, I sold them to a nice young couple who really needed & deserved them, blah, blah, blah."

I just wanted to know if I should move on, or keep my hopes pinned to them. They were just what I was looking for.

And silly, sensitive me, I got my feelings hurt by a perfect stranger when he/she didn't respond. How goofy.

But to the OP: Yes, be direct, straightforward, provide details, including measurements. You've received great advice here.

Good luck!

graywings and eclecticme - that is precisely how spammers get your email address. I have been doing this for a long time and I get emails MINUTES after I post asking if the item is still available. It has nothing to do with being "sensitive". The best way I have discovered to recognize them is to check my email from my iPhone. When I hit reply and there is an option to "reply to all" I know it's a spammer, but a lot of people don't have this option.

"Is it still available?" may be a legit question, but be sure to ask something else too, because you may not get a reply if you don't.

dilettante has some great advice on selling above.

greenthumbfish-
I have an application on my cell phone that allows me to put in my criteria and it will alert me as soon as a posting appears that meets that criteria. So, to me, getting email minutes after a post would seem reasonable. It seems to me that not responding to those folks would be disqualifying legitimate buyers.

That's too bad, eclecticme, because it really is the way spammers operate, trust me, I know, been burned way too many times. The illegitimate far outweigh the legit.

Ditto to all the good advice given above about specificity in the ad.

I gradually decreased my price over time, having started way too high, but I was hoping anyway.

The answer about spammers asking if it is "still available" is correct -- the ones with the poor English are also spammers most likely. If you want to know about availability, then include a couple of personalized sentences in the e-mail concerning the particular item so the seller knows you are "real".

I put in my ad "If this posting is still active, then the item is still available. I will remove the ad when the item is sold." And then I did that.

I haven't done this but can't you set up a short term email account on yahoo or Google? That way the spammers won't be around forever.

I have someone who is really interested and they want to see it.

Another person asked for dimensions even though they are included in the listing, and then realized it was too small.

What do you all think of my pics? Here is the listing:

Here is a link that might be useful: Listing

Great, detailed add. I like that you added that the chairs can't be split up for sale separately. I often need to inquire about that, since I'm not in the market for a table.

Gorgeous pictures of your gorgeous furniture.

Great price too. Some buyer out there is going to be very happy!

I mean... great, detailed ad! Geez!

That price is high for my area, but it may be appropriate for yours. The last photo is so dark as to not be useful. I would replace it with a close-up of one chair.

See my comments above regarding the last sentence of your ad.

I'd like to add my experience...I only sold on Craigslist once.
The buyer showed up with 25$ less than the agreed upon price. Not a lot of money, but it was the principle!

I said she could have it for the agreed upon price and she balked. She wanted us to let her bfriend start loading while she went to the cash machine to get more money. I said very sweetly that as soon as I had the money she could start loading. She stomped off in a huff, but she did come back with the correct amount. My husband was there with me--I would never have sold without us both being home.

Pictures, dimensions and price are top priority.
General location and condition of the item help.
Any major flaws.

Construction details help - solid wood vs. particle board; foam seats, springs, reupholstered, etc.

I also like to know if it's something that was purchased new or when.

I have 2 people really interested in the set. One of which I have heard back from several times.

I listed my set because I found another set that had an extendable leaf, which we need for our large extended family. We agreed on a price, and now I haven't heard back from this lady about when I can come pick it up. I have now emailed her twice, no answer. I am going to be really upset if I sell mine, and have nothing to replace it with. Grrrr

If someone writes me a note stating they are interested in (and specifies the item I am advertising) and then asks if it's still available, then that is generally a legit post. If you receive an e-mail and simply states "is (it) still available" then that is probably spam and I don't answer it.

I give people a very short window to come see or pick up the item because I've wasted days on people who never show.

The phrase "some separation on planks" would make me hesitate. Your table looks beautiful in the pictures but it would be good to have a close up of the separation. It sounds bad but maybe it isn't.

I think you need to work the word "dining" in there, as well as the type of wood (even if it is just the color of the stain). I am currently looking for a dining room set and usually search dining cherry. You listing would not come up. You could add a phrase about the style working in a kitchen or dining room. I would also change the 8 chairs to eight 8 chairs. It is impossible to search on CL by number, you need to spell the name. So if someone wants a set with 8 chairs they may not find yours even though it says 8. I would also considering putting the high res photos on a site like Photobucket and providing the link in your ad.

Thanks everyone for your help.
Someone is coming early tomorrow morning to buy the set. Wow, I only listed it yesterday.

OK- now I am in full blown panic mode, because the set I intended on buying, the seller agreed on a price, and she has not responded to my emails. After tomorrow, I will have no dining set!!!

Any advice on how to get them to respond??? I don't want to stalk her. Good vibes needed here.

Here is the set I am buying:

Here is a link that might be useful: Craigslist dining set

The word "unique" in the seller's ad, suggests he/she knows it's out of the ordinary and I wonder if they think you (or someone else) may pay more for it. That said, if it is so "marketable", it is somewhat unusual that it was listed on July 15th and hasn't sold yet. Try not to email them again to let them know you can walk away from the deal (unless you can't of course, then email them with your top offer and tell them that). It's a very nice set, but there'll be another, it just may not be tomorrow. Do you have another place you can feed your family temporarily?

Yes, we typically eat at the kitchen island anyway. We usually use the dining table when all the extended family comes over, which is at least once a month.

I'm a bit panicked- ugh

So it really depends on your area and if there have been similar others listed - how long have you been scouring CL for it?

I have successfully sold on CL, but it has taken a lot of NO SHOWS and a lot of SCAMS to do so. My tips: (these may be duplicate, I didn't read through every post)

* Put good info in your title, and as much info as possible in your message body. Include every term someone might search for if they wanted your item. Synonyms, and not so synonyms. :) "table and chairs", "dining set", "dining room furniture", etc. Even if it means a string of adjectives, or using different terminology ever time you state something - it will generate more viewers.

(Great example of this - I picked up a hand-finished ORB king sized headboard, footboard and rails for $20. The seller had been posting it simply as "metal bed" and wasn't getting any traffic, so she kept dropping & dropping her price because she needed to get rid of it. I know this would have sold long before I saw the ad if she had been able to generate more hits. Good for me, I guess!)

* If you know the maker, include it... same with store. A lot of people will search by store name because it represents their overall style.

* Include the style. E.g. I may not search for "farm table" but I might search for "rustic dining".

* If you don't want to haggle, put in the ad that the prie is firm. Otherwise you'll probably have to deal with it.

* Echoing previous: include a notice that the ad will be removed when the item is sold. Otherwise you'll get countless "is it still available?" emails to respond to.

I have sold dozens of things on Craigslist. In addition to what others have said, my advice is to post a new listing every day--don't rely on the fact that Craigslist leaves your ad visible for a month.

I used to live in a large city, where an ad for furniture posted in the morning would no longer be in the first 100 by noon. Now I live in a small city, but the furniture section is still quite busy, and old listings creep down the list and just don't generate responses.

I think many buyers expect that something that was listed five days ago and hasn't been relisted has been sold and the seller forgot to take down the ad.

Craigslist won't let you duplicate your original post, so you'll have to change some words around--"Beautiful Vintage Armoire" can become "1920's Armoire, Vintage Oak, Gorgeous".

I always put "cash only, price is firm, seller cannot lift or carry" in the original ad.

Ok sigh of relief. Lady with the set I'm buying emailed me and gave me her phone number. I will call her later to arrange a time to go pick it up.

But of course, my buyer from this morning backed out. He gave us an excuse and tried haggling more after we settled on a price. I held my ground and he walked, of course at the time I didn't hear back from my seller, so I was a little releived he walked away.

Now I need some other advice. I have 5 other people who are interested in the set. I emailed them all back and told them I am firm on the price, because of all the interest. How do I go about scheduling people to come see it? What if the first shows up and buys it, and I've scheduled all these other people? How do I go about this?

First come, first serve! I'd email all of them and tell them the first one there with the cash, takes it.

I agree with above, first $X takes it. And although I really do agree, I'm not so quick to do it myself because there's something a little scary about sending my address and pictures of my belongings/house out to 5 total strangers. But I'd still do it...

Which is another tip. Photograph only the item for sale. Don't let them know any more than they need to. And don't be afraid to refuse anyone who makes you suspicious.

I had a "guaranteed" buyer decide at the last minute that they didn't own a car, so for an extra $5 would I drive it over 120 miles round-trip and deliver it. Umm no? Their response, "Then how am I supposed to buy it?" Umm don't?

I'm hesitant to do that, I thought about it, but what if they all show up at the same time? I won't let them come if DH is not home, so there is a small window of when people can come. Each person is fine with that.

I still can't believe my buyer from this morning drove from out of state, and offered us less money because there were flaws, which were disclosed in the listing. He came at 6:30 in the morning too, because my husband would be home.

I request people put their number into the email response.. then I call them from my phone. I have a record of the call for police purposes(if it must go that far)!

I try to get the item as close to the front door as possible and do business right at the door. I always have my phone available and call my neighbor or hubby, (if he can't be there) that so and so (name from email) is here now. I have my neighbor or husband call me back within 5-10 mins.

I too will not respond to an email that is gross or not even a person. Setting up an account makes you list how you want your emails to be seen from computer. I actually had a rated XXX email response, so I did not respond.

I also use a junk email account at yahoo.com for these purposes. If I get spammed, who cares???