Thoughts on Craigslist?

[m.kitchengirl]

I am not trying to start anything here.

But, I wonder -

Many of us deal with CL as either buyers or sellers/re-homers of livestock, farm pets, etc. At the same time I think most of us would caution against getting animals from CL and posting our beloved animals on CL.

How do you deal with the dichotomy?
What would your advice be to people who are not in a position to acquire stock in other ways?

I found myself in a long conversation about this today. One where I advised some folks to wait until next year and look for a reputable breeder rather than search Craigslist for the ducks her husband wants. Another girl agreed with me, but admitted we have both gotten animals on CL and re-homed some there as well.

We are hypocrites. But are we wrong?

 

[Glenmar]

I have bought several things off of craigslist.
My first find was 9 old wooden windows, that I was going to use to build a cold frame. When I got there the lady gave them to me for free.
I also bought 4 Buff Orp hens from a lady that advertised several hens. They were likely hatchery quality, but they are sweet girls.
Next I got some flat roof slates for craft projects. The lady brought those to my work and gave me some for free. I only wanted a few.
My last find was a 330 feet roll of centaur horse fence that normally sells for about $300, I got it for $75. Still new and wrapped up.

 

[Stacykins]

My most special kitty who I adore and cherish came from craigslist. As a free cat. No health or behavioral problems, spayed and up to date on vaccinations. Totally love at first snuggle. Could I have gotten a veterinary money pit, behavioral nightmare, etc. Guess I got lucky.

I have sold some cockerels on craigslist. I knew that they were going to get eaten, didn't bug me. But one thing that was definitely special is when I sold some surplus turkey poults from a hatch, that I absolutely made a little 4H girl's life. She wasn't allowed to get the turkeys through the mail and hadn't been able to find them locally. Those three little poults were something special to her. Her mother explained the setup, and it sounded like the poults were going to go to turkey paradise. Very awesome.

 

[Illia]

I sell stuff on Craigslist, and some of it is very good stuff!

I also find people who lie or sell, umm, not good stuff on Craigslist too.


I think it just comes down to looking for someone who knows their info, at least posts some info on their ad that shows it, and always ask questions.

Avoid people who steal images, and get to know what images are stolen and what are theirs. Avoid people who sell with VERY little info on their product. Avoid people who spell their product wrong. (sorry)

 

[dewey]

I believe it's just another classified resource to use with caution, like all should be.

 

[goldies99]

i got all my chickens on CL.......all with great luck!...i have had no problems....
also got homes for some chickens that didnt work with my flock....
its just a free add to find and sell things....as long as you are careful, i think
it is a great way to buy and sell!!!

 

[LiLRedCV]

I bought my starter flock from CL. They were older gals, but I was wanting that instant eggratification instead of having to wait! Then got some pullets from there to phase in with the first gals for when they started waning on the egg laying. One of the first bunch is my most FAV of the whole lot!! My youngest named her "Snow Leopard". She follows me around like a lost puppy and is so very, very sweet! Any time I've had a predator kill one (small handful over the past 1.5yrs we've had them), I've always held bated breath that it might be her.

Absolutely there are some suspect sellers and I could've very well been taken advantage of with sick birds or mutts hens when I may have been looking for purebreds. But I wasn't for any of my birds. Luck? Maybe. Especially when I wasn't sure what I was really looking for (or at) at that time - health wise or breed wise.

 

[chickened]

I have bought eggs from CL, Ebay and on BYC and other auction sites and have had mixed results on all of them. You have to do your homework and investigate the seller, I do and never made the buy bvased on my checking out sellers. CL is usually local and you get the advantage of seeing the birds first before the purchase. I posted an experience with CL on here and was glad I did not buy those birds online.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=579001

 

[m.kitchengirl]

I've bought and re-homed ducks on craigslist but have also had some really weird experiences.
I was trying to tell my friend some of the things to watch out for - weird emails, not answering questions, and also trying to have her educate herself in what to look for in the breeds she is interested in and to look at their health as well.
I got my first 3 Anconas from CL, but did not really know what I was looking at - I knew what I thought breed standard was, and all that, but wasn't able to judge their age or gender properly (and neither was the breeder!) and felt very uneasy about how unsure I was.

Now that I have a lot more experience and knowledge under my belt I am much more confident.

I am about to adopt a Blue English Angora bunny from a woman on CL, after 3 different Angora breeders acted VERY strange, or dropped the ball about getting in touch. (I had one woman decide she didn't want to sell me an Angora because I mentioned I was a chef. I work from home, so it was not the long hours - she thought I wanted to EAT her bunnies! Then, when she could not re-home them elsewhere she contacted me offering 3 for the price of one, and was quite rude when I declined. WEIRD!)

Maybe we should all make a list of things to watch out for when "shopping" Craigslist and other resources for livestock.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
Good point.
I bought my first flock on CL and they were nice pullets. All the rest came from breeders and hatcheries.
I've sold lots of birds on CL and I talk up the quality and the careful way they were raised. I think that and the higher price attracted people that cared.