Craig's List

Aggie67

I find myself on Craig's List a lot lately. I got my son's drum set from there. I also bought a sweet Ibanez 5-string electric bass this year, and a decent amp from someone else. I bought a nice metronome. I got rid of a bunch of old paver bricks for free. I bought a brand new spa cover, less than half price, still in its box, and with a signed manufacturer's warranty letter saying they'll honor it for me, from a guy who mis-measured his (fits mine like a glove). I hired a superintendent from there, and he turned out ok for what we needed. I also got two engineering gigs from the site, and I turned down a third.

And I have to admit that I go through the "labor gigs" a couple times a week. Not that I'm looking to use my back. I go through them to give free advice to the posters that sound like they're setting themselves up for disaster. The guy that wants permit plumbing work done from a licensed plumber for chump change. The guy that wants a number from you, but won't let you on his property to look at it, and has the gall to say "if your number is above $X, don't bother me." The guy looking for a licensed contractor to install a new wood stove, exterior flue stack, exterior wall penetration, and hearth for $1000 (he supplies materials). The guy looking to dig a 150 foot trench, let the plumber lay the pipe, then backfill, for $400 (you supply your own back hoe, and the work has to be done tomorrow). I enjoy giving a professional response to these types of ads.

But I also see ads for hard luck cases. My husband is on oxygen, and we're on a fixed income, can someone help me with this. I have no heat because I have a gas leak at the foundation and the utility had to shut the gas off, my kids are sick from no heat and no hot food, and I lost my job, and I'll dig the hole by hand and buy the material. Some of them might be scamsters, but some do appear to be legit.

In all cases, my two cents consist of a short paragraph on what could go wrong, what to watch out for, what they should be doing, and then I wish them luck. I don't offer any services or solutions. But I have those two little letters after my name in my e-mail signature ("P.E."), and I'm hoping they see the error of their ways, come to their senses, and call a licensed and insured pro and to do it properly with permits if their town requires it.

And I got to thinking. (Que the smoke coming out my ears and the blank stare.) There has to be something that can be said to the rude folks (you can't come to my house to look at this, if you're price is higher than this don't bother, I'll pay this take it or leave it) that will resonate at least with some of them.

Does anyone have experience dealing with these types from Craig's List, face to face? Is it price that makes them come off like jerk offs, or a hatred of tradesmen?

joasis

I too have seen these kind of adds, and usually, I am pretty skeptical. I do charity work when I see the need, or my church asks me to....and most people know in a situation like you describe above, even the gas company will refer them to an organization that will help.

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mdshunk

I think Craig's List would be a good place for a new contractor or salesman to practice his estimating, sales, and interpersonal skills without burning a more legitimate lead. In other words, you can screw these up, while treating them as real leads for practice, without losing out on much.

Houston's

yeah i see some crazy stuff on there.. craigs list is one of the sites i get on in the moring and at night.
two weeks ago a flooring store went out of business and was giving away every thing they had.. was a lot of good suff!

when i am slow i put up ads on craigs list and get some good work off of it.

wyoming 1

Most pro's knock craig's list but after reading the doom and gloom on msn today we may all have to have an ad there in 09

threaderman

Face it,there are many people ignorant of what is involved in running a legit business,and they think we as construction workers are desperate or stupid enough to let them dictate our prices.I laugh at them at am comforted with the knowledge they will get theirs at some point.You can't change them.It's no different then referrals,some people see value in what we provide ,others don't.Just let it roll off you..I'm too old to fight and be angry all the time and the good Lord blesses me with many good customers to where I don't need to listen to these derogatory no-all type people.

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Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

MBS

May God bless your ignorant little soul.

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I think I say OOPS!! out loud way to often.