eBay vs. Craigslist

When I need to buy or sell an item on the internet and get the best good price I probably look at either eBay or Craigslist. EBay is one of the largest online auction sites, while Craigslist is a leader when it comes to online ad posting. Both sites offer a wide range of services and items that consumer need. In order to evaluate these sites, I look at the user-friendliness, cost, selling items, and user’s safety.
The first thing that I noticed when using eBay and Craigslist is that they are really user friendly. One of the features that both eBay and Craigslist have is how easy it is to setup an account. It took just minutes to set up both my accounts, but some of the other features are different. Craigslist is used more for searching in a specific region for products and services. For example, when I search for an item in Craigslist I have two choices, I can search for it in the search bar or by the region that I live in. In contrast it is easier to locate an item in eBay by that item’s name rather than a specific location.
One difference between eBay and Craigslist is their cost of an ad. When I sell an item on eBay I have to place an ad. Users can have as many ads as they want, but where eBay gets them is with the pictures. Pictures are essential to sell a product for top dollar. EBay gives users five photos for a set price, but they have the option to buy more room for pictures. Now Craigslist is the opposite; they don’t charge users to place an ad. They let them put as many pictures as they want to describe a product or products.
The process of selling and item on eBay and Craigslist is fairly easy. The first thing the seller does to sell an item is take pictures of the item and write a description. Depending on the item the description can get lengthy. Once obvious difference between eBay and Craigslist is that eBay sells there item to the highest bidder. Ebay also has strict guidelines for time limits. For both sites, sellers have to decide on shipping cost.
Another important aspect to consider when buying item on the internet is safety. While both eBay and Craigslist have great safety features. EBay makes use of a unique feedback system which a buyer and or seller can utilize to post their comments and testimonials. Another big thing about feedback is a way that a buyer can see how the seller treats his or her customers before they start the bidding process. Shopping eBay is guaranteed to be safe. EBay has a purchase protection program that covers a buyer up to $200. Ebay has also minimizes fraud in that it enables buyers or sellers to keep a close watch of the sites they visit, and warns them if the site has any indication that it is a fraud. With Craigslist, buyers have to be a registered user first before you can post ads. You don’t have the protection like eBay does. When you a buying an item from Craigslist a buyer usually is within 150 miles of their product. The buyer can usually drive and see if they want to buy the item or not. There are usually no strings attached unlike eBay where if a person wins the auction that person has to buy the item no matter if they didn’t want it or not. For an example I accidentally bought an item off of eBay that I didn’t intend to buy I had to have it shipped to me and then send it back for a refund. It was a pain in the butt, but that’s what eBay makes you go through to make sure that you really want that item.
In all my experience in using both eBay and Craigslist, they both can be helpful to sell and buy items. The options in are endless on finding the right product to suit a person’s need and they both have the user-friendliness, cost, selling items, and user’s safety that we need. Just always remember in the end that your wife or husband will find out how much it costs; there’s just no way to keep a secret any more.