Posting Free Items on Craigslist Tips

Who doesn’t like something for free? The question though is why do people give away things for free. People use Craigslist to sell things all the time but not as many people use it to give away things.

There are many reasons why someone would give an item of value away for free. They want it out of the house, either because its taking up space or they are moving and they don’t want to take it with them. They don’t want to bother to sell the item or it would not sell. It could be because they are charitable and want to give to someone who needs the item.

I have given away things on Craigslist for all of the above reasons. I have learned a few tips to help people giving away and those who want to get something for free.

1. Post first thing on a weekday. People usually are checking the free section at work and less frequently checking on the weekends or at night. If you want to make sure you are the first one to respond to a listing, contact the person early in the morning.
2. Don’t post items in a group titled “free items”. These will only be viewed by resellers typically. Post each item individually unless they are similar items or go together.
3. When you post, understand that not all the people that respond to your item are interested in it. Some responses are from scammers or spammers. Although usually not Nigerian scammers because no money is involved. Also if you listed several items as a group (like books) and the person refers to the items as “it” you have to wonder.
4. Specify in your posting if you want people to specify why they want the item or specify where the item is going (charity, themselves, friend, ect). If I get several responses for one item I won’t respond to the first person who wrote, I will respond to the person who seems to need the item the most. This applies specifically to clothing. I’m more willing to respond to someone who says they are giving the items to their church charity.
5. Understand that people who respond to these ads are from all walks of life, just because you can spell doesn’t mean everyone can. Don’t judge these people on their grammatical skills.
6. Never do curbalerts and if you have a porch put the items on your porch. Write back to someone requesting the item and give them your address or if you are putting it on the corner, the street intersections. Don’t promise the same item to 5 people at once.
7. Give the person a timeframe to respond back to you, if they had questions or if you gave them your address, give them a timeframe to pick up the item. I typically give 1 to 2 days. If they do not pick up the item by then, I offer it to the next person interested.
8. Usually people look at items within a 2 to 3 day timeframe, if its been more then a week, you may need to repost the item at another time.
9. To avoid questions, be descriptive as possible in you ad and include a picture. If there’s any defects or problems, state this. Yes, the item is free but no one wants to pick up something and find out that its in decrepit shape or not usable.
10. Look at the section, “Items wanted”. Respond to people who want the item you are trying to get rid of.
11. Understand that some items are much more popular then others. Items like furniture, clothing and children’s items seem to be the most popular. Items that are only used for a specific purpose and are not generic are harder to get rid of and may take some patience and time to get rid of.
12. If you aren't willing to deliver an item, make sure this is posted. Not everyone has a vehicle and even for smaller items, people may ask you to deliver them. Don't assume just because the item is free that people won't ask you to deliver them the item.
13. Don't post your contact information. Only give it out after you respond to someone.