WE'VE MOVED!

We are proud to announce our NEW community destination. Engage with resident experts and fellow entrepreneurs, and learn everything you need to start your business. Check out the new home of StartupNation Community at startupnation.mn.co

what do you guys think about buying and selling on craigslist?

EconakEconak subscriber Posts: 2
edited February 2009 in Selecting a Business
Hey guys this is my first post so i`m looking for some good critical
feedback. About a year ago i bought an X box 360 off craigslist for
$200 from someone in town. We met at a public location (wal mart or
something) and the product worked great. After about a month of playing
i got bored and decided to try and sell it for the original $200 when i
heard advice from a freind that i could get at least 350 for it. I put
it back up on craigslist for 350 and sure enough received 3-4 responses
and sold it that same day. 150 dollars for 10 minutes of work.
Football season came around at my University (Big SEC school) and i
noticed people around campus selling tickets for face value and others
reselling the same tickets for about 150 dollars the week of the game,
netting them 140 per transaction. Now while this is not illegal by the
state it is against school policy, which is why i never got involved,
but i saw potential in ticket sales of other things where there were no
restrictions. (concerts, pro sporting events etc).
So i am just wondering if anyone on this forum has experimented with
buying and selling items on craigslist or other sites? As long as the
buyer and sellers are both happy with the deals i don`t see a problem
with ripping anyone off. Could this be pulled off successfully as a
monthly/yearly income?
Keep in mind there are many markets for this such as cars, electronics,
tickets and textbooks. (I have freinds going to the bookstore dropping
1K per year when they could be getting everything for 300)
Any advice/feedback criticism is much appreciated

Comments

  • EconakEconak subscriber Posts: 2
    Thank you for the replies thus far, they have been very encouraging, i came across this venture because i have such a small amount of money to invest as a college student with no hope of getting a 9-5 in this economy.  If anyone has any other suggestions on how to profit, please let me know. Thanks!
  • EconakEconak subscriber Posts: 2
    Craig-
    First off i would like to thank you for taking the time to critique and analyze my business idea.  You brought up some important points that I was not aware of.  I have heard of being "blacklisted" from craigslist, but what I dont understand is how they can keep you from making new accounts all the time, (not that i would do this, i just dont understand the concept).  Sure they can block an IP address but with the number of wi fi hot spots im not sure how they can control this.  Anyways,  i gave my business a shot today for the first time.  I bought LCD 15 inch magnavox TV for 60 dollars and succesfully resold it for 180, taking up about 30 minutes of my day to post, buy from the seller and then sell to a buyer.  I know 120 isnt much, but i have a feeling that if i can do this full time on a mass scale, it just might work.  If you have any other business ideas that I could get involved in with little investment, i would love to hear of an opportunity.
    Thanks
    ECONAK
  • patentandtrademarkpatentandtrademark subscriber Posts: 103
    my wife has used it to sell some toys - it has been generally positive.
  • WebJunkyWebJunky subscriber Posts: 8 Member
    very effective - just have to stay on top of closed / expired listings if you are selling recurringly.  there are automated programs to do this but CL is fighting hard to combat those as they are being misused.  there will be newer products that come out, but then again CL will be fighting those consistently.  stick to the basics and do not try to outsmart the system unless you are willing to lose your investment in the automated software
Sign In or Register to comment.