Craigslist: Common Good vs Commercial Interests

Craigslist is by far the best web tool for personal buying and selling of your goods. It beats Kijiji hands down in consistency of interface, lack of technical trouble and content management. It is understandable that Craigslist want commercial companies to pay a listing fee that subsidizes the free ads for personal items. Craigslist relies on its loyal readers to flag illegal ads, which are then removed. Owners of these flagged ads may also face a ban on future ads.

This participation from CL readers is quite unique on the web. Most companies prefer the traditional top down “I decree” style of content management, which is unfortunate. CL knows that there are more readers than CL staff who are more than willing to flag items. The best part for CL is that this editorial staff is free. The benefit to the CL readership is cleaner content on their favourite buy and sell site. Who wouldn’t want that?

NOTICE: Terms of Service
Date: 2009-10-24, 12:13AM EDT
Reply to: xx@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

The Terms of Service ban ads in this section from commercial companies and therefore readers are expected to flag them.

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“You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:

m) that includes links to commercial services or web sites, except as allowed in “services”;”

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This ad was posted a couple of days ago, reminding posters to flag commercial ads. This was met by a reply that nastily said mind your own business, f*** off. Today another reminder ad has popped up on CL, but more specific and targeted to those that need a more detailed explanation of this rule. It’s nice to read a policy that is so clearly explained.

Rules Of This Area
Date: 2009-10-31, 12:26PM EDT
Reply to: xx@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

By posting on Craigslist you agreed to the following and by ignoring them you can be banned.

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“You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:

m) that includes links to commercial services or web sites, except as allowed in “services”;”

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That means:
NO ads from dealers

NO ads for services such as oil changes or winter storage

NO offers to move motorcycles

NO motorcycles wanted

Knowingly violating the above is a violation of Federal law and could be prosecuted as such.

I hope that CL continues to implement their policies that take advantage of their readership, and that readers of CL will continue to enjoy top quality content, edited in part, by themselves.

Here are some typical comments from the peanut gallery. After all, this is the internet. These and all such comments are usually deleted quickly.

Re: Rules of service
Date: 2009-10-31, 4:54PM EDT
Reply to: xx@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Boo fucking HOOOOO!

Like anybody is going to jail over an internet posting. Some of you guys have to much time on your hands.
Whocares what these guys post as long as its MOTORCYCLE related.

If you dont like the winterstorage, oil change, motorcycle movers, etc etc DONT fucking look at them. Plain and simple.

You guys need to move out of your parents basement and get on with life. Internet heros.
Yes it does get annoying that motolimo guys keep posting here. Ignore them.

re: Rules blah blah blah (wah-ville)
Date: 2009-10-31, 4:28PM EDT
Reply to: xx@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

“That means:
NO ads from dealers

NO ads for services such as oil changes or winter storage

NO offers to move motorcycles

NO motorcycles wanted

Knowingly violating the above is a violation of Federal law and could be prosecuted as such. ”

hahahahahahaha violation of FEDERAL LAW PEOPLE hahahahahha OH NOEEES THE FEDS ARE GOING TO GET YOU FOR POSTING IN THE WRONG PLACE ON CRAIGSLIST!!

hahahahahah thanks for the laugh buddy