Lately I've been in the market for a new stroller. I want one that I can put both my kids in without having to buy a new car seat too. I'm very picky and very stingy. So, knowing that it might take me months to find exactly what I want, at price I can afford, I started looking when I was only about 3 months pregnant.
By far, the best deals I've found are on KSL. I love shopping on KSL. I love selling there too, knowing that I can get a little cash for something instead of taking it to DI. I like being able to do that for other people too, and know that I can pay less than half the cost for a lot of things, second-hand.
I'm no marketing expert, but some people's ads make me cringe.
Last summer when Gavin and I used to go yard "sailing", we found that a lot of people would post on KSL when they were having one and what kinds of things would be for sale. It was way better than driving around and hoping to find good ones at random. Several times I came across an ad that would look something like this:
"yard sell 2morrrow moving 2 idaho 4 job change have alot of stuff need to sell asap come by & check it out"
Seriously? Did you actually want anyone to come? How are we supposed to know when or where it is? Why do we care where you've moving or why? Ever heard of punctuation? Spell check? No? Okay well I guess you weren't serious about actually selling anything.
So today I went online to see what kind of strollers had popped up over the week. Up to this point, I had found a favorite and was just waiting for the right price. They usually sell (used) for around $200. Ouch. But every once in a while one comes out of the woodwork and if you jump on it you can get it for a great deal. So today, I'm looking through the double strollers and come across this ad:
"Double Stroller
We bought this stroller one year ago so we don't need the double anymore. Good conditions no tears or holes. call or Text Ok 120.00 obo"
followed by a grainy picture taken by a phone and posted sideways.
Sigh
So I text the person listed as the seller and say, "What model is your stroller on KSL?
Seller: What do u mean?
Me: Who makes it? (And just to be extra clear,) What is the name on the side of the stroller? (I can see something printed on the side but can't make it out in the photo.)
Seller: Graco
Okay, that's a start...
Me: Okay, but you don't know what model of Graco it is? It should say on it somewhere.
Seller: Let me check
Seller: 2007
*facepalm
Seller: 7b11cad3
(Now I'm starting to laugh. They can't be serious! So then I do a bit of research, find out what models of double strollers Graco sold in 2007 and come up with three.)
Me: Is it a DuoGlider, Ready 2 Grow or Quattro Tour?
(Long pause, during which I blow up the grainy sideways picture and try to decipher what it says)
Me: Looks like maybe a DuoGlider? Do you know if that's right?
Seller: Yes is duo glider
(These sell for $40-$80 on KSL, so I am no longer interested.)
Me: K, good to know. I'd include that on your ad if I were you. Thanks for checking.
No response.
Wow. Good luck with that.
Some of you think it's funny or annoying that I put so much stock in using proper writing skills. This is part of the reason why. When your writing makes you look like a fourth grade drop-out, NO ONE WILL TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY. This is most applicable to resumes. Don't even get me started on resumes. To quote my dad, "This resume says to me, 'Please don't hire me. I don't want a job.'"and that's putting it nicely. Same to the seller on KSL. "Please don't buy my stroller! I just posted it for fun."
Learn to write. On Facebook, when you're at your leisure, fine. Use dumb acronyms for everything and spell things horrendously. Say "alot" when you mean "a lot, and "awe" when you mean "Aww", and "your" when you mean "you're", etc. I'll cringe, but no one that matters will really care (unless your boss frequents your page). But when you sell something, sell it! If you want to be taken seriously in an ad, a resume or any public forum, write properly, or don't be surprised when you don't get the offer you wanted.
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