Do you guys remember like 3 years ago when I used to rant and rave about how much I loved Craigslist?
Man, times sure have changed.
I can’t stand Craigslist these days (for real estate, anyway), mostly because of the annoying spammers who bombard me with their annoying emails. I get so irritated. They should change the name to Spamslist.
My buddy Murphy, however, is always finding buyers on CL (he just sold an overpriced piece of crap on there last week and made 6k), so every few months I’ll decide that I’m going to start posting deals on CL again until I actually sell something. This usually lasts about a week or so until I get fed up and quit. That’s pretty much where I’m at right now, and a couple days ago I decided to just start posting obnoxious ads to see what would happen. Just for fun.
Normally when I put ads up on CL the only responses I get are emails from time wasting idiots that say “Gee, sounds like a great house, are you flexible on price?” or some variation of that. Then when you respond, they hijack your email address and start sending you ads for Viagra and the like. Which is awesome, because I’m totally in the market for some cheap Viagra.
So anyway, I posted the following ad on Monday, and my phone seriously rang off the hook…
Hehe. I was so amused with myself.
I think I’ve gotten 11 or so phone calls on this deal since I put the ad up, and I’ve been marketing that same house on there at the same price for over a week with zero response.
It didn’t keep the spammers away, however.
I got this email a few hours ago, which I found particularly amusing:
Apparently Caleb didn’t read the post title.
Or maybe he considers cockroach infested houses “nice places.” Who knows.
At any rate, I thought I’d share this little marketing tip with all of you. Give it a shot and let me know how it works out. 
Later cucarachas!
On June 09, 2010 at 7:24pm, Daniel Mahoney said...
Nice!
I think I will advertise a “Cat Piss Special”. I’ll let you know how it goes over.
On June 10, 2010 at 3:31am, Stephani said...
Ha- good one!
I’m thinking something along the lines of…. “I smell dead people…”
That should get the phone ringing.
Let me know if you post yours and what sort of response you get!
On June 09, 2010 at 9:03pm, Brooks said...
Great Tip. You stood out. That’s what it takes in this market.
I hate the spammers as well, but ever since I sold a wholesale deal via Craigslist to a buyer I’d never met previously, it’s hard not to continue to use it.
We also saved a good bit of money by using Craigslist for an HVAC unit for our last renovation.
http://www.thesoutherninvestor.com/craigslist-can-save-you-thousands/
On June 10, 2010 at 3:35am, Stephani said...
Hi Brooks,
I actually sold my very first wholesale deal on Craigslist 3 years ago, but I’ve never sold anything since. I do much better with signs and calling For Rents, but they are a much bigger pain in the ass, unfortunately.
P.S.
If you sign up for CommentLuv it will automatically post the url to your latest blog post when you comment so you don’t have to do it yourself. There should be a CommentLuv button right under where you are commenting. Just click on that and you should be able to sign up easily.
On June 09, 2010 at 9:48pm, Ginny said...
Re spam on Craigslist
I state that if they email, they need to include their phone number or I won’t answer due to mistaking them for Spam.
Anyone who is serious either calls, or emails with phone number, and I ignore the
rest.
On June 10, 2010 at 3:37am, Stephani said...
Hi Ginny,
I’m going to start adding a P.S. to my ads that says something to that effect. Thanks for the tip!
On June 10, 2010 at 4:11am, RJ said...
ROFL!! this is a good way to start your day, with a big freaking laugh. We get the same SPAMMER response too, the guy in a cockroach costume is priceless…. lol
RJ´s last blog ..How To Create an Effective Craigslist Ad in Under 5 minutes
On June 10, 2010 at 4:53am, Stephani said...
Heehee.
I can’t look at that cockroach picture without laughing. Actually, I think I might get that costume for Halloween.
On June 10, 2010 at 6:10am, Carey_PA said...
OMG Steph that friggin cockroach costume is priceless! Love it!
Great CL tip! And about the viagara…..I can totally hook you up with some connections I have….I mean they gotta be good cuz I get their emails all of the time. I think they are real stand up guys
(btw, I just made myself chuckle there.)
Carey_PA´s last blog ..You Vs. Goals
On June 10, 2010 at 6:53am, Stephani said...
Hehe. You said stand up. Hehe.
On June 10, 2010 at 7:56am, Shae said...
LOL! You gals are hilarious! Steph, I love this CL ad. Nice touch!
Shae´s last blog ..Reflections on the first week
On June 10, 2010 at 6:17am, Esi said...
That is so funny Steph. I’ll try something similar in my next craigslist ad. I like craigslist though, but there seem to be a lot of tire kickers there. If you add your number to your ad, you will get skip tracing calls and when you answer your phone, they hang up and I heard they sell your number to telemarketers. And of course the email spamming too is annoying…spamlist is right.
Esi´s last blog ..Lightbulb Moment
On June 10, 2010 at 6:55am, Stephani said...
Hi Esi,
Funny you mention the telemarking thing- I just got a call from an out of country # yesterday and they hung up when I answered. I guess that explains it. Normally I just let them go to voicemail, so I’m not even sure why I picked up in the first place…
On June 10, 2010 at 6:50am, Joe Ziolkowski said...
Lol that’s great! I think I’ll have to use that one
So where there really cockaroaches in the house, or were you just getting the buyers’ hopes up? 
On June 10, 2010 at 6:57am, Stephani said...
There were a few of them on the floor, but they were upside down so I think they had kicked the bucket already. Unless they were just playing possum. I didn’t stick around to find out.
On June 10, 2010 at 7:13am, Dave d'Autremont said...
Steph,
I love that you thought “out-of-the-box”. The unusual ads do get more attention.
I post my remodeling business under “MR. HONEY-DO” * Professional Handyman and it gets a decent response (and lots of spam as well, unfortunately).
On June 10, 2010 at 7:20am, Karen said...
Love how you stumbled on to a great marketing technique by just being lighthearted!! Keep it light! That’s what I try to remember. If you can’t have fun with it, you might as well be working in an office, right?!
On June 10, 2010 at 7:21am, Karen said...
Oh, and I forgot to say to please keep us updated on if any of those 11 calls turn into actual buyers!!
On June 10, 2010 at 7:24am, Stephani said...
Will do, Karen.
On June 10, 2010 at 8:14am, J. Lamar Ferren said...
OMG…This is too funny. I can’t believe you got responses on that. And the other guy said…Nice House…really?
When you sell the house…Make your next blog post saying, “How I Made $10K (or whatever) off of Cockroaches” LOL
On June 10, 2010 at 10:06am, Sean O'Carroll said...
Great post and a very good idea! It just proves the fact that unique, attention getting advertising always gets better reponse. You should follow up and let eveyone know if one of the repsonders actually purchaes the property; then you have a real strong case study for success! You have a great blog btw, always real and good content. Check out mine whenever you get a chance (not quite up to speed yet, but it’s getting there)
Sean
On June 10, 2010 at 10:27am, Stephanie Peay said...
OMG! Your ad is soooo funny! I’m swiping your idea for my next CL ad.
I’m glad you wrote this article because I thought I was the only one that was having a hard time getting real responses from CL.
The skip tracing tactic that Esi mentioned doesn’t sound cool. I think I’ll try the suggestion about requiring phone number’s in reply’s… It’ll probably weed a lot of people out.
Thanks again for the laugh and the tips!!!
Stephanie Peay´s last blog ..I ♥ Padmapper
On June 10, 2010 at 11:31am, Steve M. said...
Hi Stephani
I Like it. That’s to Funny..!! Steph I Can’t Stand the Spammers Myself. They are a Pain in the Arse….!! lol..lol… But Steph I like the way you had Fun with it.
Stephani Have you tried to use BACKPAGE ?? That site is OK For Listings as well.
Keep me Posted if you get any Buyers with that CL AD .. lol …lol..
Steve M. From St. Pete Florida
On June 10, 2010 at 12:27pm, Gordon said...
I now try to think of the most outrageous stuff to say when I post on craigslist since there are so many ads that go through craigslist. I hate the spammers also. my recent title said ” I cried when I walked through this house for sale”
On June 10, 2010 at 5:13pm, AnotherSteph said...
That is hysterical, Steph. The guy in the cockroach costume puts it over the top!
On June 10, 2010 at 5:17pm, Ka Tecia said...
Hi Steph!
OMG! That is hilarious and quite interesting. It is amazing what people are interested in….
On June 11, 2010 at 11:47am, Nat said...
Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
This should work for rentals too. Will try on my next post.
On June 12, 2010 at 8:41am, Julie Broad said...
One of these days there is going to be a Flip This Wholesaler tv show because seriously you’re funny.
By the way … I tried SO HARD to write a swear word on my blog this morning. In the end I just couldn’t. I had to write sh*t instead. I just couldn’t do it. I even said to myself: Steph swears on her blog … it’s ok … just write it … but I couldn’t. Even though I was quoting myself and that very same swear word had come out of my mouth. There was something that just felt so wrong about writing it. Wish I could be like you and just drop the swear bombs. Although I think you kept this post clean. haha!!
Anyway thanks for a great tip!! And a good laugh too. You’re awesome.
Julie Broad´s last blog ..How Many Properties Do You Own?
On June 13, 2010 at 11:03am, Stephani said...
You crack me up, Julie!
If you don’t feel right about cursing on your blog, then definitely don’t do it. I pretty much curse like a sailor all the time, so when I do it on my blog it’s just me being myself.
On June 13, 2010 at 11:15am, Shae said...
LOLOLOL! Julie you are a riot. Sorry honey, but I simply can’t see you cursing on your blog.
Shae´s last blog ..Turning my time into money
On July 26, 2010 at 10:08am, KellyPay said...
Hi Stephanie,
Wanted to let you know that we had a house to sell that had a major cockroach problem and I thought of you! We used your strategy and voila! Under contract in two days!
On July 26, 2010 at 10:27am, Stephani said...
Ha!!
That’s awesome, Kelly- CONGRATS!!
People really do love some cockroach houses, eh?
On July 26, 2010 at 12:36pm, Shae said...
Kelly, that is so awesome! Congrats!
Shae´s last blog ..Book Review- Talent is Never Enough by John C Maxwell