Craigslist Auto-Flagging... WTF?

[smmokan]

This afternoon I posted an ad on CL selling my used '13 Outback (same car I posted here for sale), and within an hour it was flagged for deletion. Later tonight, I posted the same ad- in a different city- and again, within an hour it was flagged for deletion. I've never had any problems with postings on CL, and I've sold dozens of items over the last few years. Does anyone know what the hell is going on?

My guess is that some combination of car dealers, online car brokers, and sites like AutoTrader.com are using auto-flagging software to illegally remove "competitive listings" from CraigsList so they get more business. Is that too far-fetched?

[huckbucket]

Are you listed it as a "dealer" rather than a "private seller" by chance?

[smmokan]

Nope.... private seller (owner).

I'm posting info on the Craigslist "Help Forum", and these idiots are telling me it's because my price is too high (it's one of the lowest priced same-year Outbacks in the Denver area), the pictures aren't in my driveway, etc. Seems pretty ridiculous considering most of the shit that's posted on CL. I have to think they're being flagged by someone selling a similar Outback.

[digitaldeath]

Someone trying to kill your sale, bud

[El Chupacabra]

Are you hosting the photos on something like Photo bucket? That seems to cause craigslist to not post properly, and it looks like you were flagged. You have to upload directly to craigslist. Also, links to any other websites can cause it too (like a link to KBB).

[smmokan]

Are you hosting the photos on something like Photo bucket? That seems to cause craigslist to not post properly, and it looks like you were flagged. You have to upload directly to craigslist. Also, links to any other websites can cause it too (like a link to KBB).

Nope, I just uploaded pictures directly to CL using their uploader. Also, no links in the ads.

I shortened the ad and changed the location, we'll see what happens. I guess the car sales section is moderated a little more strenuously? I've never had an issue with posts before... what a crock.

[El Chupacabra]

Yeah, I ran into that too with listing car for sale. Seems pickier.

[bad dancer]

CL rules state that you can not list something in a different city so that covers that offense. The first one I can not comment on. The rules are very clear. Usually it is something to do with the posting guidelines which most people don't really pay attention to until they get flagged. Good luck.

[smmokan]

CL rules state that you can not list something in a different city so that covers that offense. The first one I can not comment on. The rules are very clear. Usually it is something to do with the posting guidelines which most people don't really pay attention to until they get flagged. Good luck.

That might be the case, but I always post my ads in Denver... Unless car ads are just monitored more closely. I posted a second ad in Boulder a few hours after the first was deleted, and that was taken down too.

[Obstruction]

Sucks that this is happening to your ad. It's usually pretty easy to determine if a vehicle is being listed by a dealer or owner. Funky price numbers are one flag ($12,049). Another is all caps or bullets.

It does irritate me when you see the large number of dealers listing in the for sale by owner section and they're running multiple ads with pics of cars with window stickers and offers to finance.

[Timberridge]

Does it have a 'Vote for Hillary' sticker on it? That shit gets posts moved on TGR.

Take it off and put a '16BBI sticker on it.

[Obstruction]

Just looked at the ad in gear swap, nice ride.

But the pics look WAY too professional. That and a higher than avg. price could be attracting the craigslist ad police.

Try some crappy cell phone pics ... seriously.

[char_]

Craigslist flags for prices they deem to high?

[smmokan]

Just looked at the ad in gear swap, nice ride.

But the pics look WAY too professional. That and a higher than avg. price could be attracting the craigslist ad police.

Try some crappy cell phone pics ... seriously.

Funny, some of the morons on the CL Help Forum last night said the same thing about the pictures... which I find ridiculous. (but probably true)

My second post in Boulder is still active, so it looks like whatever I did worked. For now.

[Pegleg]

I had a similar issue when trying to sell a bike (Santa Cruz Bronson) last year. I think it's because I posted in both Denver and Boulder; I could see the postings if I direct linked to them, but they wouldn't come up in searches. Apparently they don't like posting the same listing in two places (even though it makes sense to do so here, since Denver and Boulder are part of the same metro area and most people in Denver are willing to buy in Boulder and vice versa).

[huckbucket]

Frankly, I'm surprised to hear that CL does ANY kind of monitoring of postings. I thought CL was the wild, wild west of online selling.

[Obstruction]

Craigslist flags for prices they deem to high?

Nah, my guess is it's vigilantes objecting to what they perceive as a dealer ad in the owner section. All they have to do is click the prohibited link and then CL decides or just makes a knee jerk decision to yank the ad.

[bad dancer]

Frankly, I'm surprised to hear that CL does ANY kind of monitoring of postings. I thought CL was the wild, wild west of online selling.

CL does not flag or monitor. It is strictly community based monitoring. There are actual nerds out there that sit around looking for violation of terms on postings. Sometimes its a stupid little thing like a poor description of the product in the title.