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I almost always fight the SV meme that largely founders focus on throwaway trivial ideas. I just think this is so stupid. Craigslist is one of the few companies
by vonklaus 10y ago
I almost always fight the SV meme that largely founders focus on throwaway trivial ideas. I just think this is so stupid. Craigslist is one of the few companies that isnt greedy, is community driven, and if there are examples using there outsize market to kill competitirs or act nefarious-- I havent heard them.
I did 3 craigslist deals in the past 2 days. Got coffee with a stranger at 2am who let me flash an os to a drive he sold me for cheap..at 2am.
Craigslist is the email of startups. It works well enough, its a cockroach, and other substitute & complimentary companies fill its gaps. Ebay, etsy, amazon, tradesy, ect.
This isnt even a problem. I have done hundreds of deals and havent had a bad experience. Have others; Absolutely. Do I think its common, not in my experience. I suspect the percentage is low, but I dont have data.
Craigslist is what ai would like to see other companies model after, simplicity, community and no greed.
I may be alone, but i find this absurd and destined to fail. Is it profitable? Probably, but show me that balance sheet. Probably founders not oaying themselves, a tiny server and an apartment. I dont want to belittle the founders, they must have had a terrible experience, but this doesnt seem like a profitable or good strategy at all
- maxxxxx 10y agoAre you saying Craigslist is a tiny server in an apartment?
- DrScump 10y agoNowadays, it runs on a Raspberry Pi that sits on his car's dashboard. [/s]
- vonklaus 10y agoI am saying the profitabls challenger is just a server probably hosted nearly free on AWS or Azure through sponsorships. Being profitable is great and I applaud that, but my point is what is the magnitude of success? This likely is a lifestyle business and it is disingenuous to say it is a CL competitor.
- Arizhel 10y agoI've used Craigslist in several different locations in the US over the last 10-15 years, with I don't know how many transactions. I've never had a problem, except for the occasional buyer who tries to offer a lower price after showing up in person when the ad says "firm".
- DrScump 10y agoI've experienced that a lot. Beyond that, Craigslist's anonymity makes it an easy vector for fraud, fencing stolen property, and other crime.
- Arizhel 10y agoYeah, but how much of a problem is that really? For instance, the last thing I bought on CL was a washer/dryer set, as my ancient washer finally bit the dust and needed a part that cost much more than a new economy washer. I seriously doubt the nice older lady I bought from had somehow stolen a washer and dryer to resell to me.
- DrScump 10y agoThere's a big problem with things like stolen bikes and electronics and counterfeit or stolen (and voided) tickets. Also, there have been numerous armed or strong-arm robberies by fake "sellers" who arrange a sale of a higher-cost item.