I Forgive You, Craigslist (For Now)
Dear Waco Craigslist,
You haven’t been on my good side lately. I’ve tried to be patient with you. I’ve tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. I remained hopeful for as long as I could.
But then I could no longer hide my frustration. I could no longer overlook the fact that you’ve gotten…well…I don’t even know the word. Lazy? Uncaring?
Well, Craigslist, how do you expect me to feel when all you seem to offer me are pictures taken from terrible viewpoints, so much so that I can barely even make out what’s in the picture.
That definitely seems like a sign of laziness to me, Craigslist. What gives?
And excuse me if I sound rude, Craigslist, but what’s up with these dining chairs? Why is it this is the only style of dining chair that you ever have to offer me?
And let’s talk about your prices. Your prices! Now there’s a topic that’ll really get my blood boiling. Seriously, Craigslist, you want $100 for this “décor” shown in the awful photograph?
And $650 for this sofa with a matching loveseat, shown in yet another poor photograph?
And that leads me to another thing—sets of furniture. Craigslist, please! Did you forget that I’m an interior decorator? I tell people all the time to avoid matching sets of furniture like it’s the plague. And then you go and offer me matching set after matching set!! A three piece set that includes sofa, loveseat, and chair, for $200…
(And again, I can only take your word that that’s what it is, because the photograph just looks like a mass of horribly outdated fabric!)
Another matching set—china cabinet, table, and chairs, for $525.
When I call and ask you if I can just buy one piece, you almost always say no! “I’d like to sell it as a set,” you say.
Do you see the position you put me in, Craigslist? I have no need for matching sets of furniture…EVER!
And one more thing. Why do you list things over and over and over again, for months on end? Sometimes I get a little embarrassed for you, Craigslist, like you can’t take a hint. Take this listing, for example. You seem very proud of the fact that this was built by Amish people, and therefore you ask a high price.
But Craigslist, after months on end with obviously no takers, I would think that you’d get the hint that people don’t think the table and chairs are worth $600 just because they were built by Amish people. Perhaps you haven’t noticed that this dining set, that you think is so precious, includes the ubiquitous dining chair…virtually the only style that you seem to offer.
Craigslist, are you starting to see why I’m upset with you? Are you beginning to understand why I had almost reached my limit with you? Why my hope had waned to the point of almost being nonexistent? And why I finally had to tell my friends about my frustration?
I think you must have been able to sense that something wasn’t right about our relationship, because just as I was getting ready to kick you to the curb permanently, you go and make a peace offering. You offer the exact thing I’ve been looking for—two brand new, solid wood, heavy, sturdy bar stools, in exactly the color I need.
It was a very nice gesture. You saved me $180. And they really are gorgeous, even more so than the picture shows. The warm brown wood looks beautiful in the room, and they’re comfortable! (Well, as comfortable as barstools can be.)
So now you have me confused, Craigslist. Was this just something you did to keep me around? Are you going to be back to your old ways? Or is this the beginning of something new in our relationship? I guess it’s a wait and see. But for now, you’ve sparked that glimmer of hope in me. I forgive you, Craigslist.
Your cautiously optimistic friend (for now),
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
AGHHH!!!! I feel the Craigslist pain. I got 4 chairs, just chairs, dining room chairs, solid wood, no veneer, like new listed in Houston and I can't seem to off them despite a $ reduction. I'm practically giving them away! Good pictures too, btw. Craig is not working it for me these days either. I'm gonna have to have a talk with Craig. LOL.
LOL Kristi! I think you and Craigslist are in a slightly abusive relationship. Don't let Craigslist treat you like that then accept him back when he brings you some pretty things 😀
That was soooo funny!! I guess there must be a national Craigslist dilemma. My OCD is on overload. I obsessively check daily (sometimes several times a day), only to find the very same over priced "sets" continuously. I'm holding in there though! I'm gonna sweat it out!
Are you sure you're not checking my craigslist here in NC?? I felt like I was on a roll for a few months and scored some great finds but since April-nothing is to be found! I love the part about people posting things over and over at the same unrealistic high price! Thanks for the funny commentary!
This post is so hilarious to me! I'm looking at the Dallas craigslist for a large, round dining table. I had no idea they were so hard to find! And, you are so right about the chairs, that is all that anyone has! I just recently figured out that you can search by owner only. For a long time, I was so frustrated at seeing all of the dealers. Thanks for the laugh this morning. I'm still searching for a nice round table.
Thanks for funny post Kristi. I needed a good laugh this early in the morning!
I feel your pain! You described our Craigslist perfectly except he isn't prone to give me any pretty presents to win me back. Such a jerk! LOL
LOL – I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Craigslist. We have found some amazing things on there (all of our dining room furniture!) but we've had to travel a bit to get it. Our local one is horrible…mostly used puffy recliners and ads from wholesale furniture stores. But you have reminded me that I need to check it out again…you never know what treasure might pop up! 🙂
I can't stand too much furniture that does NOT match as it makes me feel like I'm back in college and couldn't afford the entire set so I just bought a piece here and a piece there. I also can't stand having 4 or 5 different shades and types of wood in my living room. Maybe it's the OCD clean freak in me or I'm just ODD – but I LOVE matching sets – such as all white wood in the bedroom or all expresso wood color in the living room or a mix of white and black furniture in my teens room.
OMG!!! You had me laughing so hard…"Thanks" I needed that….I do agree that craigslist is beginning to be overpriced…
I just get in "awe" when you reupholster something…too bad you didn't live closer you would have a field day in my house 😉
I've followed you for a while and never, ever realized that you live in my hometown!!! Such a small world. BTW, I'm totally making the sunburst mirror with shims. I've been looking for something similar to this, but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Now I have!
You have so eloquently described my exact feelings regarding Craigslist. I get so fed up with it and then at the last minute I find one more treasure that restores my faith.
Great site! I just found out about you from Thrifty Decor Chick's post. I'm now following you too 🙂
And, as an aside- I have just started blogging myself. All the great blogs I've been following (yours included of course) are so inspiring! Please check out my site and follow if interested.Thanks!
HAHAHHA! THANKS. I NEEDED THAT. 🙂
LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Hilarious! Love it!! And I completely agree!
GRR…riiight on!! i hate over-priced crap on craigslist. i texted someone the other day about a tea cart (looked ok, but old), they replied it was still available and i texted them again and asked about the condition (wasn't posted) and this dude calls me, very rudely says, "i don't have time for texting, what do you want to know?" and i ask if it's sturdy and if he'll take $30 for it. He says, "it says $50 on there doesn't it? it's worth $250!" total a-hole, so just thanked him for the info and hung up. grr…keep your crap then!
Just wanted to let you know that I love your blog and that I'm your newest follower! 🙂
Crystal
Funny!! What gets me too…is the people that list things with no picture ~ then say ….if you'd like I'll email or text you a pic. Uhm….why not just post one to begin with. HA! Oh….and the people that have pics with a totally messy house/background. OMG….can they not clean up before posting a pic 😮
Funny post! Love it. Don't forget the "antiques"…
HAHAHA. I agree. It absolutely drives me NUTS when people use their phone for pictures of something they want to sell. And don't take your freaking pictures at night, dangit.
But I am still content with Craig at the moment. I got a breast pump and a high chair for $100 for both. I was pretty ecstatic because a new pump would have been over $250.
Great chairs. They are beautiful. =)
hahaha…I'm in TUlsa, OK and it the same here with sutff. I 've been looking for a dining room table and the all look like the one you posted. And people are "proud" of their stuff and over price things here too. But, I can't stop looking. I have it on my phone and check it at least 6 times a day. Glad to know it's not just here though! Good luck with CL!
You are always cracking me up girl. I think those windsor chairs are ALL my generation bought 20 years ago, hence all of them ending up on Craig's List now.
Thank you for this. I live just a bit south of Waco and have been extremely frustrated with Craigs offerings, but couldn't put it into words. You have pinpointed my sentiments exactly.