Decorator's Guide to Using Craigslist

Unlike eBay, Craigslist encourages local transactions to minimize shipping and auction hassles. It's also ideal for snatching up — or getting rid of — something fast. "When I use eBay, I have to deal with fees, worry about PayPal, go to the post office?" says Hollie Havens, a Craigslist fan in Philadelphia. "When I put something on Craigslist, people come to my door to pick it up, pay cash and then it's gone."

1. Don't assume anything.
Ask questions. Sellers expect this. Does the item show wear and tear? Is it solid wood or veneer? For basic building materials, you probably don't need a photo. For everything else, if a photo is not posted, ask for one.

If you respond to ads for vintage furnishings, it helps to know the era. Even if sellers don't lie, they often misrepresent. Jean Thilmany of St. Paul, Minn., found a vintage cooking range described on Craigslist as "cherry red" and presented like an ad from a 1950s issue of Redbook. But she could tell by looking at the photo that the range was closer to 1975 than 1955, so she wasn't surprised when it turned out to be more orange-red than cherry-red. She bought it, in pristine condition, for $70.

After finding an apartment on Craigslist recently, Hollie Havens used the site to get rid of everything that didn't fit in it. Within two weeks, she sold lamps, rugs, framed art, coffee tables and an ottoman to fellow city-dwellers. She prices things to move — $20 for a computer desk, $50 for a country-style birch table and chair set. "I always post a photo and I'm clear and concise in the descriptions," she says. "I don't want people to come to my apartment and then not like the items. That's just a waste of time."

2. Don't be shy about bargaining.
Unlike eBay, where the highest bidder wins — and has to shell out the winning price — Craigslist prices are often negotiable, especially if they've been posted a few days with no sale. Thilmany responded to an ad for a mid-century modern chair and sofa, but the advertiser was selling them as a $500 set that included a starburst clock, magazine racks and side tables. A week later, the ad was still up and Thilmany got her sofa and chair for $300.

3. React quickly.
People often leave giveaway items outside their home, then post a "come and get it" message. Because valuable items go fast, ask the seller if the item you want is still there before picking it up.

Also, if something is priced right, don't blow your chances by haggling. Well-priced items get a lot of responses. Recognize a prize and get your bid in fast. Most sellers will honor the first commitment, but not if they can get full price from someone else.

4. Find the freebies.
Treasures often turn up under the "free" heading in Craigslist classifieds. Sometimes people want to unload something fast. Others simply misjudge the value of their throw-aways. Often these items are left outside after a curb alert posting, but sometimes the owners are willing to open their house to visitors and load up the giveaways.

One caveat to getting something free, of course, is that you can't complain if it falls short of expectations. Ann Logue ended up with free blinds for three large windows in her Chicago home after volunteering to test them for a manufacturer who posted on Craigslist. She gave them a good review at the time, but finds they're not holding up well. "Now I'm annoyed," she says. "If I had actually paid for them, I'd be throwing a fit."