I was going to write about some of my rather awkward and annoying experiences dealing with the people of Criagslist, but this email string pretty much wrote the post itself… WTF people of Craigslist?
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Original Listing:
Large Area rug; Black/red/gold 11′ x 9′ – $75
Great room large area rug in a traditional yet updated pattern. Size is 11 feet by 9 feet. 100% wool. Main color is black with a red and gold and creme colors.
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And let the emailing begin:
To: TheChrista@awesome.com
From: xxxxx@aol.com
i would like to offer you 50
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To: xxxxx@aol.com
From: TheChrista@awesome.com
$60 and it’s done 
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To: TheChrista@awesome.com
From: xxxxx@aol.com
Aww I’m sorry, all I have is 50..
thanks anyway…
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To: xxxxx@aol.com
From: TheChrista@awesome.com
[::Mood: Annoyed::]
So, on a personal level I have a quick question for you…
You seemed interested enough to email me with your offer in the first place, which I thought was good bartering, and I came back with a pretty reasonable offer back…
My question (again, just for curiosity is) did you want/need this item and really only have $50? Or were you just wondering how low you could get it for?
Because if you really want it, and need it for a purpose, but could not find a way to spend an extra $10 (trust me, plenty of economic reasons) I’m sure if you explained it better, I would have worked with you on it…
Again, this is purely for my knowledge only, as you are not the only one that has been doing this on items I have listed. I appreciate your feedback 
Christa
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To: TheChrista@awesome.com
From: xxxxx@aol.com
Hi Christa, yes I really liked your area rug and wanted it but really and truly have only 50.00…..
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To: xxxxx@aol.com
From: TheChrista@awesome.com
Tell you what… If no one is interested by this weekend, I will actually let you have it for $45
Would you be willing to wait until Monday?
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To: TheChrista@awesome.com
From: xxxxx@aol.com
ok. Christa! thank you. Please don’t think that I was trying to low ball you really and truly that is all I have…
Yes I will wait for you to let me know whether you sell it or not…
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To: xxxxx@aol.com
From: TheChrista@awesome.com
[Written on Sunday]
Sorry I sold it today. Good luck on your hunt!
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To: TheChrista@awesome.com
From: xxxxx@aol.com
Thanks anyway, I bought another one on Friday…
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Seriously people of Craigslist? I mean, come on, WTF?
#1 by Amanda on May 11, 2010 - 2:47 pm
ha! that’s awesome!!!
#2 by Joey on May 11, 2010 - 3:22 pm
I don’t get it. A price is listed within a given range. A potential buyer comes in with an initial offer, usually on the low end of their range. The seller will counter with an offer within their original range.
This goes back and forth till a number is reached. The offer of selling at $45 indicates that this may have been the low end of the sellers range (45-75) and that the listed price is the high end of this.
So I get why the seller emailed you back regarding your initial offer then the subsequent pulling of your offer. If you were not up to negotiating a deal why bother offering something other than the stated selling price.
This is much like pricing your services for photography. Is your session price set or do you allow for negotiation in price and/or services to close the deal?
#3 by Christa Watson on May 11, 2010 - 3:37 pm
Well, first off, I was the seller…
I don’t mind bartering, but it seems like I had 50 emails from people just low balling and wasting my time (along with another 50 that were spamming me about sending out their own moving crew and needing my information to write a check out…)
I think dealing with all of these people (renting my house out and no shows) and this lady on top of everything only had $50? Come on, at least tell me you don’t want to pay more than $50…
I’m just sick of the bullshit…
#4 by Joey on May 11, 2010 - 4:38 pm
Sorry for getting the parties confused. You could say then that I agree with your assessment then that yes it is a WTF CL.