Would you flag this Craigslist ad?

My boss is selling his 10th Anniversary Miata:

http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2307001366.html

and that is the 3rd time he's posted the ad. It keeps getting flagged for no apparent reason, and he added the last line in a (probably unsuccessful) attempt to convince people he's an actual human being.

No phone number? Internet haters? Opinions?

(PS, no canoe or anything, but my boss is selling his 10th Anv Miata.)

maybe because it was written in a clear and concise manner.. your regular craigslisters can't understand it?

I don't see any reason to flag that one. Maybe somebody's got one that they're trying to get $15K for? (other than that, mad machine's right)

People flag to flag. just because they can.

I think the following happens on CL:
If you are shopping for a Miata and think it is a good deal you certainly do not want anyone else to see it (and buy it before you do.) Therfore, send the seller an email and then flag the account so that the listing is taken down.

Another thing can be to no just list the city of Memphis. The scammers always just put the city name. Try putting some local term like neighborhood or area. If you put (near Westfield Mall - Memphis) or similar it will show some local knowledge.

That is a lot of blue.

I wouldn't flag it; maybe somebody thinks it's overpriced?

<<Has a 10ae, got it in November.

The only two things I can think of are that it is kind of on the high end of the pricing, and so people think its not a real ad? And that the four pictures on the bottom look like most pictures on scam ads.

(Not necessarily a bad price, but it IS on the high end for a 10AE)

But no, it does not look like a scam.

I did a search for it, and nothing seems weird or 'flagable.' It is cheaper than most of the very few others listed. Maybe someone thinks by eliminating the 'competition' they're more likely to sell theirs.

-OR-

People are asshats.

Somebody recognizes the car and has a thing against your boss?

Fair enough guys. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

poopshovel wrote: I did a search for it, and nothing seems weird or 'flagable.' It is cheaper than most of the very few others listed. Maybe someone thinks by eliminating the 'competition' they're more likely to sell theirs. -OR- People are asshats.

Miatae are unobtanium in Memphis. I haven't seen a running NA inside the city limits for less than $3k, and 94-97 cars are unicorns. Dealers sometimes have NB's, but they mark them up pretty bad and won't negotiate.

That's actually my boss's theory: some beater lot is pissed he has a 10AE for less than their regular cars and are flagging him out of spite. Seems like a lot of work for no profit, though. I thought most beater lots made their money on that "buy here, pay here" business.

I flagged it because Miata's shouldn't be sold without a matching handbag and little dog.

I got FIVE free ads flagged this past weekend. I was giving away FREE E36 M3 and people were flagging me. I gave up - it's going on freecycle and then the dumpster. I feel your pain. That stinks.

I just moved FROM Memphis, folks there do dumb crap all the time, for no INTELLIGENT reason. Someone probably thought this was way too much for a 12 year old car (but didn't look at the mileage, or thought that the mileage was "unreal") or previous ads were missing something.

I flag ads on CL sometimes, but 99.9% of the time it's those scummy ads by folks claiming to have a 2005 CLS for $2800.

I wouldn't flag it at all, but I will critique it.

"There were only 3000 every sold in the USA." should say ever not every. "It has been setting for a few years" should say sitting, but I wouldn't put that in the ad. That makes it seem like it has been broken. I'd spin it more like "car only driven a few times a month in nice weather" and only 42625 Miles"

I would want to see a picture that shows the roll bar and billet grill.

Other than that I would never pay $10k for a miata with a broken antenna, some unspecified body damage, a speed sensor code and needs a new top (if it is really easy/cheap to repair the existing hole tell your boss to fix it, then sell the car, same for the antenna, and code).

I would also either not mention the "few bumps" or show pictures of them. If they are normal wear and tear door ding type things I expect to find on a 12 year old car then don't mention them.

To me the ad says here is a beat up car that I didn't really like enough to drive, but I want to sell it for a lot of money.

But I wouldn't flag the ad.

I went ahead and flagged it like you asked.

John Brown wrote: I went ahead and flagged it like you asked.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAAA

T.J. wrote: I wouldn't flag it at all, but I will critique it.

Yeah, the ad really doesn't do the car justice, nor does it tell the real reason he's selling it: 2 kids, 1 passenger seat.

IMO the price is way high and the add makes it sound like the car isn't in terribly good shape, so I could see how someone could think it was a joke. I think fixing the error code, not mentioning how long it has been sitting and the minor damage, getting pictures with a better camera, and dropping the price to about $7500 would make it seem alot more legit. I still wouldnt flag it, but even if i was looking for one I wouldnt respond to that add.

TJ is right - Honesty is the best policy... unless youre selling something.

Ya dont have to be overly detailed, just dont mislead, and youll be fine.

T.J. wrote: I wouldn't flag it at all, but I will critique it. "There were only 3000 every sold in the USA." should say ever not every. "It has been setting for a few years" should say sitting, but I wouldn't put that in the ad. That makes it seem like it has been broken. I'd spin it more like "car only driven a few times a month in nice weather" and only 42625 Miles"

it's been a while since i dropped out of school, but i do remember that in english classes we were taught that people "sit", everything else "sets".

I love CL for what it is, but its a horrific setup. The help forums are filled with anonymous jerks that really jump your E36 M3 when you're asking for legitimate help. The flagging help forums will tell you that it takes hundreds of flags before something gets removed, but it takes exactly one. I tried it once - posted my own ad, flagged it, and literally 3 seconds later my phone had an email telling me my ad was removed.

The site has grown way faster than the administration (which is mostly non-existent). Therefore it is an unmoderated, unstaffed, pile of data. As long as you know that, its great.

novaderrik wrote: it's been a while since i dropped out of school, but i do remember that in english classes we were taught that people "sit", everything else "sets".

Might want to un-learn that!! You can set a thing down, but that same thing can sit for a while. Set is transitive and requires an object, sit is intransitive and does not. But "object" doesn't mean what you might think - it just means a target for the verb to act upon.

There are no good clear summaries of the difference because English is too confusing to have a good clear summary of any of the subtle differences. I still have the bring vs take discussion with my wife every couple months.

OHHH I thought you were asking us to flag it!!