Craigslist Listings Are Up Double From A Year Ago

News Flash: Craigslist on Fire

May 6, 2008

More and more cash strapped people are offering their stuff for sale at bargain prices online at auction sites like Craigslist. For-sale listings on Craigslist are almost double from a year ago, which Craigslist CEO Jeff Buckmaster noted as growth "moving above the usual trend line." Many listings introduce a sort of personal tone by disclosing the reasons for selling their possessions — needing to pay bills and make ends meet explain why someone would sell family heirlooms or their engagement ring. Nancy Baughman, founder of eBizAuctions summarized the situation like this: "This is not about downsizing. It's about needing gas money."

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7 Comments

cubadog 5 years 2 weeks

I had do this a few years ago when the job market was terrible only I used Ebay. It was great and really got me out of a jam!

MindayH 5 years 2 weeks

I also think that in some areas people are just realizing the useful ways of using Craigslist. Not everyone has been living in SF, LA, NY or DC for the past 7 years or however long craigslist has been around.

i am awesomeness 5 years 2 weeks

I'm a college student trying to find a place in Manhattan for the summer. My fall housing is a definite, but I just decided to stay here for summer too. I'm trying to sell all my textbooks plus any other junk my friends can't take with them because they live in different states, and old clothes. Although I'm not doing this out of necessity, I def. understand why people would have to do this to put food on the table or gas in the car so they can work to pay the bills.

shanimalcracker 5 years 2 weeks

This is so sad because I can definitely see how people would feel the need to use Craigslist to get some extra cash.

POPSUGAR Beauty 5 years 2 weeks

I bought a new dresser this weekend and listed the old one on Craigslist for $30. I sold it within the hour! The guy said, "Furniture is just too expensive these days," and I had to agree. I'd just come from a shop whose prices seemed way higher than they used to be — and when I asked, the shop guy said that prices had recently jumped $100 ON AVERAGE per item. Yikes! I wound up getting the dresser at Ikea instead.