Searching for Gear Nationwide on Craigslist

Big Ron · #1 01-27-2010, 01:25 PM

I may be the last guy on the planet to learn this, but at the risk of looking stupid I am going to pass it on. I have really been helped by knowing how to do this.
Q: How do I search ALL the Craigslist listings nationwide ?
If you know a better way add it on here, but I have found a guitar and an amp deal like this and wanted to share it.

A: Go to Google.com next to the search bar that you fill in with your search text there is a link called "advanced search" Click on that link.
B: This brings up a search page full of choices on how to search. You can search for "all these words" "any of these words" None of these words etc. This is done by filling in the appropriate fill in block at the top of the page.
C: At the bottom of the page there is a block "Search within a site or domain:" in this block type the domain you want to search through - in this case "Craigslist.org".
Hit search and you will find all your criteria in all of the craigslist cities in their organization.

Happy Surfing

Ron

X-500 · #2 01-27-2010, 02:47 PM

Hi Ron,

Thanks for sharing. Here's a great site that someone formed to combine Ebay and Craigslit, Jaxed Site Mash:

site mash : : combined classified and auction listings

It can filter too.

Big Ron · #3 02-21-2010, 09:36 PM

I got an email from a new member that asked how to find this thread. Bump

Big Ron

spiral · #4 02-22-2010, 01:54 AM

I use 2 ways.

1. in Google: "thing to search site:craigslist.org"
2. Craiglook: Craigslist Search

RoyaleT · #5 02-22-2010, 03:51 AM

Try this site:
http://www.searchtempest.com/

Big Ron · #6 02-22-2010, 10:00 AM

I like Spiral's deal much better than mine. Craiglook doesn't find all the old cancelled listings and shows you the photo in an avitar. Craiglook it is for me from now on. Thanks Spiral

Big Ron

SamBooka · #7 02-22-2010, 10:30 AM

yeah.. actually the site: is good for searching other forums too.
TDPRI.com I can never find what I am looking for unless I use google.

spiral · #8 02-22-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Vermillion

I like Spiral's deal much better than mine. Craiglook doesn't find all the old cancelled listings and shows you the photo in an avitar. Craiglook it is for me from now on. Thanks Spiral

Big Ron

No problem. I actually just found that site last week after using the old Google method for years (which doesn't work because it isn't realtime so most of the ads are expired).

As you pointed out Ron, it is super nice how it shows you a thumbnail, pulls out the phone number (if there is one), and the first few lines of the description, making it almost like eBay.

tonedeaf · #9 02-22-2010, 08:33 PM

I doesn't seem to me that a nationwide search of Craigslist is of much value. I was looking for a Cube 60 and used the search method described in this post. I found about 15 amps that I would consider buying and emailed the owners telling them I was interested but would need to have the amp shipped. About half didn't respond. The half that did respond said they would not consider shipping anything.

Craigslist really puts the fear of God in anyone considering any transaction other than someone at the front door with a fistful of cash.

spiral · #10 04-16-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonedeaf

I doesn't seem to me that a nationwide search of Craigslist is of much value. I was looking for a Cube 60 and used the search method described in this post. I found about 15 amps that I would consider buying and emailed the owners telling them I was interested but would need to have the amp shipped. About half didn't respond. The half that did respond said they would not consider shipping anything.

Craigslist really puts the fear of God in anyone considering any transaction other than someone at the front door with a fistful of cash.

It really depends on what you are looking for. In my case i found the somewhat rare Gretsch G6040MCSS. I called the guy, we talked a few times, and it eventually arrived at my door. I've gotten a few smaller niche items that probably wouldn't have sold quickly locally so the sellers were ready to sell to whomever.

SamBooka · #11 04-16-2010, 08:35 PM

you know what is fuuuu'ed up about this is that while researching ES165s I found one on Kijiji using google. They guy had posted at the end of Jan about 2 hours from here. Never sold. Knocked a couple of hundred off and I picked it up.

I am not bold enough to go national for big ticket items but at the same time I guess it pays to think outside the 50 mile radius.

Big Ron · #12 04-19-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

I doesn't seem to me that a nationwide search of Craigslist is of much value. I was looking for a Cube 60 and used the search method described in this post. I found about 15 amps that I would consider buying and emailed the owners telling them I was interested but would need to have the amp shipped. About half didn't respond. The half that did respond said they would not consider shipping anything.

Craigslist really puts the fear of God in anyone considering any transaction other than someone at the front door with a fistful of cash.

I agree. But I have found and bought some bargains on nice equipment through this method. The first thing I would is to call the person on the phone, or if no phone number is listed just email them with an invitation to talk on the phone. It's much more personal. Scam buyers show up by the truckload as email messages, not so much as phone calls.

Once I have talked to the person on the phone, I bring up the subject of how we can both be assured that the transaction would be a legitimate transaction? Since I am in Chattanooga, TN and you are in Seattle, WA - how can I assure you that you wont get scammed - how about I pay you via PayPal ? Do you have a certified PayPal account and address?

If they do, then PayPal will get involved in protecting you both for the transaction - it doesn't have to be an eBay deal.

Delivery:
Then I tell them that I know they would prefer to have someone walk up to the door with a handful of cash, but would they consider delivering the item locally to someone's representative if they were already paid?

Normally they will ask what I mean? I explain - If I paid you via PayPal and you were already paid, would you take the item and meet someone in Seattle and give it to them?

They always want to know who this mysterious representative is? I tell them it is the guy down at the UPS Store.

I pay you.
You take the item to UPS with my address and my UPS account number and ask them to pack it and send it to me?

Simple no??

Be aware that UPS packaging ain't cheap. I will cost $60-$80 or so for them to pack a guitar for example. So know that going in.

Anyway, that has worked for me several times.

Big Ron