Has anyone else noticed how many people post angry "Do Not Email me" and "I do not check email" posts on Craigslist, with demands to call between certain hours only? Dude, it is an ONLINE listing. You need a COMPUTER to see it. E-mail seems a pretty reasonable request!
I wish I could do my CListing via email but with the spam and people using email who shouldn't (shotgunning lowball offers, one sentence questions, gmail addresses) I much prefer phone calls.
There is the option to not show any email address for an ad, which is what I do, and what anyone should do if they don't want emails.
People who are serious will call, in my experience.
-James
yes, I hate that. My job requires that I am on the phone for 9 hours a day, the last thing I want to do is to spend more time on the phone.
I prefer to e-mail always!
I ALWAYS want an email before a phone call. I don't like playing email tag, but I've had several issues with prank callers. It's just easier to establish communication in an anonymous manner first.
I prefer a call usually. Since most people (even somewhat "intelligent" ones) can not string a couple of written words together if their lives depended on it, I'd much rather here the stupidity in their voice to answer my assumptions instantly.
I'm a seller and got an email this morning "Reply if you are legitimate."
I'm supposed to say that!
jamscal wrote: gmail addresses
whats wrong with gmail? I use it constantly.
ignorant wrote:jamscal wrote: gmail addresseswhats wrong with gmail? I use it constantly.
Well, it's been awhile since I've gotten an email via CL, but most of the 'scam' and "is this still available" emails were gmail.
I got in the habit of not responding to any of them unless they were intelligent AND included local contact info.
Nearly everyone I know uses gmail. If you're ignoring them, you're probably ignoring customers.
I get more spam from "Googlemail.com" the euro version of Gmail
and hotmail accounts
I like to talk via a couple email messages before giving out my phone number, weeds out the people who aren't serious IMO.
I hate the people who reply "call me at XXX-XXXX" and nothing else. If I wanted to go straight to phone convos I'd post my number in the ad.
I'd much rather deal with the CL weirdos through email first. When it's comes time to do real dealing, then I'll get on the phone.
And yeah, one line emails get zero response from me. Even though this is the internet, there's such thing as common etiquette: a greeting, a complete sentence, really any semblance of normal human interaction. That seems to be asking a lot these days.
PubBurgers wrote: I like to talk via a couple email messages before giving out my phone number, weeds out the people who aren't serious IMO. I hate the people who reply "call me at XXX-XXXX" and nothing else. If I wanted to go straight to phone convos I'd post my number in the ad.
+1
Platinum90 wrote: yes, I hate that. My job requires that I am on the phone for 9 hours a day, the last thing I want to do is to spend more time on the phone. I prefer to e-mail always!
+1
mndsm wrote:Platinum90 wrote: yes, I hate that. My job requires that I am on the phone for 9 hours a day, the last thing I want to do is to spend more time on the phone. I prefer to e-mail always!+1
+2 My time is limited, I can check and respond to email on my time. Callers always tend to want to get into "I used to have one of these...." discussions that I just dont have the time for.
jamscal wrote:ignorant wrote:Well, it's been awhile since I've gotten an email via CL, but most of the 'scam' and "is this still available" emails were gmail. I got in the habit of not responding to any of them unless they were intelligent AND included local contact info.jamscal wrote: gmail addresseswhats wrong with gmail? I use it constantly.
Given how many people forget to take down ads after they sold whatever they advertised, I do tend to email them a polite email asking if the item is still available. From a gmail account 
JThw8 wrote: +2 My time is limited, I can check and respond to email on my time. Callers always tend to want to get into "I used to have one of these...." discussions that I just dont have the time for.
+3. When I get those, my reply is usually, "..well, for (my asking price), you can have another one!.." Seems to shut em up pretty quick (although one turned out to be serious and eventually bought the car).
friedgreencorrado wrote:JThw8 wrote: +2 My time is limited, I can check and respond to email on my time. Callers always tend to want to get into "I used to have one of these...." discussions that I just dont have the time for.+3
+4. Sorry, the LAST thing I want to do when I'm selling something is yak, yak, yak about it. If you want it, great, tell me when you can come look at it. If you don't want it, why are you even wanting to talk to me?
Email or GTFO.
Setup an e-mail address that automatically replies to e-mails from CL that states a basic selling policy. Maybe setup a captcha process to weed out the computers and mouth breathers.
While I would prefer an email to weed out the weirdos and inconsiderate ones, I have a bigger problem with people who don't post a phone number and never reply to my well written email with two or three questions.
If you took the time to write the add, you do want to sell it right?
Nitroracer wrote: While I would prefer an email to weed out the weirdos and inconsiderate ones, I have a bigger problem with people who don't post a phone number and never reply to my well written email with two or three questions.
Well, that's half of the problem when looking for values on Craigslist. Most of the folks trying to unload cool cars for next to nothing are part of the idiot half of our nation. If your reply is "well written", the moron who listed the ad probably doesn't understand what you wrote.
when selling i give out my google voice phone number... makes it so i don't get calls at 3am... and i can call back and be preprepared for the call on my terms...
in my area a lot of people stopped putting phone numbers... i'm sure it's due to bs calls... but if i have cash in hand and really want whatever it is i'll deff call... and email... :)
I have a truck listed on CL right now. I initially forgot my phone number. Since I posted it, I haven't had a single email about the truck - everyone calls. The Camaro sold over the phone as well, as did the tube shock conversion kit for the MG.
Side note: my ad for an MGB GT rear axle attracted a scammer. Given the usual comfort level of LBC people and internets, I gave him a bit of leeway until the check his secretary accidentally made out for $1900 instead of $100 turned up 
So I told him I'd sent the money off by Western Union, but accidentally sent $17,500 instead of $1750, and please send me another check for $15,000. His response was awesome, he did NOT see that coming and is completely baffled as to how I could have made that mistake. I blamed my secretary.
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