While relocating can be a chore, offering items no longer needed can be fun and rewarding when you know you helped someone. I recently completed the slow and tedious process of selling and giving away household items. One of the larger items I decided to sell was my car which I listed on eBay, Craigslist and Tradepal.  

The process of creating an online vehicle listing was a first, so I followed my checklist to make sure I had everything covered. I reviewed various websites to view how many cars of the same model were being offered and also searched car pricing guides such as the Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds. I also spoke to my car dealer to review the title transfer process and any hidden fees associated. Lastly, I took a bunch of pictures of my vehicle using my smartphone and prepared to create the three listings. 

The process went as follows:

eBay

Time Elapsed: 40 minutes to list item with images

Cost: Free for my local neighborhood, additional fees would apply for a national listing.

Results: My Kia listing was removed by eBay and, to my surprise, I received an email notification that I had violated their terms of use. See email below. 

After reviewing the information, and feeling quite perplexed that I violated something, I contacted eBay. I explained the problem to one of their representatives which was followed by a short hold then a series of personal questions that were intended to verify my identity. The monotone agent seemed familiar with my issue as she went through the routine of troubleshooting my problem. 

While still confused I confirmed my education level, where I have worked, and what certifications I have. Finally, I was directed to log back into the eBay website to relist my vehicle. Needless to say, I was a bit aggravated having spent over an hour listing, responding to a delisting email, speaking with two representatives and taking a test to ultimately confirm my identity in order to list my own car for sale. I inquired as to what I actually violated by my vehicle listing, and received a vague explanation that it was because I was a new user. A new user? While not feeling very welcome, I proceeded to relist my vehicle as I had so much time invested at this juncture. 

Auto reinstatement email:

Craigslist

Time Elapsed:  Approximately 10 minutes to list an item with one image. 

Cost: Free 

Results: Followed their standard email verification process as shown below. I was approved to go live and received about six inquiries on the vehicle. The details that follow explain the care needed when using this service as is evident in the initial verification email below that follows each listing request.

Unfortunately, one of the inquiries I received three days later was from Root Ninja although it stated Kamari True as the contact name. UnknowingIy I was being lured, and I almost clicked the link provided which could have been disastrous had I not realized it in time.  

Following a search using the sentence in the email, it was evident that I had been sent a malicious email from Root Ninja which was identified as follows: 

http://www.rootninja.com/obvious-craigslist-scammer/

In addition, I felt uneasy about providing my location and my cell phone number to prospective anonymous buyers who emailed me.

Tradepal 

Time Elapsed:  Four minutes to list including four images of the vehicle.

Cost: Free to list and share with no geographical restrictions.

Results: I shared the listing with my Tradepal and Facebook friends, and Twitter followers. Within the first ten minutes, I garnered over 100 views. Within the next 24 hours, the listing had generated over 400 views.

As the head of brand development at tradepal, I tend to think I am biased. But this experience is a reminder of the real pain encountered by the general public while using online marketplaces such as eBay and Craigslist. At tradepal, we are striving to solve these exact problems. Users should be able to list, share and promote their items quickly and for free. Most importantly, they should be able to communicate and trade with peers in confidence. 

“We must rapidly begin the shift from a ‘thing-oriented’ society to a ‘person-oriented’ society.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

(Source: kplu.org)

Did you miss National Regifting Day last week?

Ah, yes it really does exist… While regifting has been growing trend as many Americans felt their wallets tighten due to the slowing of the economy or job changes, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The pressure to finalize holiday purchases is growing and each day we read about the challenges that plague Americans such as a recent article that mentioned, “50% of Americans not able to shop for the holidays this year as they could not afford it…” This is a startling number given that the average U.S. household harbors over $7,000 in unused items. This excess could be sold, traded for other items or even better, given away.

Many of us will be receiving a few new gadgets this year, maybe an Apple iPod Touch or iPad, or Let’s Rock! Elmo for the kids. Whether you receive the latest Kindle Reader, a camcorder, flat screen television or surround sound system, there is the old model that is destined for the Island of Misfit Toys now that it has been upgraded.

Were you wondering what to do with this outdated item …. or maybe items?

Here’s an idea! Since most of us are connected to our friends and family on our social networks already…. How about creating a Tradepal online garage sale and list these items for sale, trade or as a giveaway?