Craigslist Post Prejudice and Suggestions to Make Craigslist Better

I recently experienced the frustrating side of Craigslist, and encountered “post prejudice” for the first time.  I’m defining post prejudice as “the discrimination of a Craigslist ad simply because a user does not like the advertisement.” More after the jump…

Let me start off by saying, I love Craigslist.  Craigslist is a fantastic bargain — you can’t beat free!  Jim Buckmaster and company do a fantastic job with limited resources, and 95% of my experience with Craigslist has been positive.  My complaint is tempered in consideration that “you get what you pay for,” which is a whole lot for nothing!  I posted the following for my father (the ad below should remind everyone to pay their insurance premiums on-time):

Hurricane Damaged 2006 Year Model 2200DC Hydra Sports w/ Trailer — $2000

This 22FT Hydra Sports was the perfect boat for my family, and was kept underneath a boat house in FL during Alberto. The insurance tragically lapsed before the storm. I have higher resolution images of the damage available upon request.

I have no reason to believe water got into the motor (because it was high above the waterline) but I cannot guarantee the motor or any part of the boat. The motor is a 4-stroke, 225 HP Yamaha with less than 40 hours.  I have not attempted to start the motor since  the storm.

The trailer is included, and was not involved in the storm. The trailer is bent on the driver’s side.

I cannot warranty the electrical system or the GPS/electronics.

Titles are available for the boat and trailer.

Please contact me by email if you are interested in the Hydra Sports for a salvage project. Thank you for your interest.

Admittedly, my post was unique.  I didn’t think many people would be willing to deal with the trash-boat simply for the motor.  I was wrong.  Sixteen people responded within 30 minutes, making the salvage operation my most popular Craigslist posting ever.  Buyers recognized the deal’s value was in the motor, and they jumped at the opportunity.

Ten minutes later, the post was removed by the system.  The Craigslist user board was little help.  The post was properly categorized, transparent and honest. Forum moderators only complained that they thought I might be asking too much money, but that they admittedly knew nothing about boats.

Why then was my post taken down? The post was removed simply because certain users didn’t like it. That’s right folks. Craigslist users can flag a post for any and all reasons, including their personal tastes.  Craigslist passively encourages the practice.  From the Craigslist FAQ:

Many craigslist users dislike, and will remove by flagging ads which appear to be scalping tickets or hot gift items for way over face value.

I guess Raleigh Craigslist users believed the trash-boat was unfairly priced and consequently flagged my post for removal.  If anything, the overwhelming response suggests I was charging too little for the wreck heap!  Yet, I couldn’t re-post the add because users continuously flagged my second effort.

Limiting a marketplace to only low or fairly priced items hurts both buyers and sellers.  The only price “way over face value” is the price at which the item will not sell (assuming the listing is transparent and honest).  Taste and personal beliefs of fairness should not be a barrier to entry in any marketplace.   Either another seller will offer a discounted price or the listing will simply expire.

I’m hoping Craigslist will discourage post prejudice for “over-priced” listings in the spirit of complete information.  The ruined Hydra Sports experience made me wonder if post prejudice is a common occurrence on Craigslist.  It concerns me as a commercial real estate agent.  I have used the site to list and find value properties.  Could my real estate listings be removed by competitors?  Could potential buyers flag a post to reduce competition?

According to Craiglist, only “1-2% of ads removed through flagging” are within their terms of service.  I recognize no flagging system is perfect, yet Craigslist could eliminate the 1-2% of mis-flagged posts.  Participants could moderate flagged posts disputes like they moderate the message boards.  I envision a simple conflict resolution system. When a poster believes their listing has been flagged in error then a moderator reviews the listing.  Craigslists could enforce a three strikes policy on flag reviews, whereby if the moderator decides against the poster three times then their account becomes suspended for a month.

All in all though, there is very little to complain about Craigslist.  I will continue to be a user regardless of one bad experience.  Try the site and post your wares if you haven’t.  Just stick to the cheap stuff, and less exotic items!

Cheers,
Eric

PS, I sold the boat for my Dad (one of the 16 purchased it, and got the motor working within 1 hour of getting it to his shop).

Posted by Eric Stroud on December 2nd, 2008 in Web & Tech

Tags: Craigslist, post prejudice