Problem with Craigslist Users abusing Flagging system

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by matthew898, Nov 13, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hello DP Community!
    I want to address a certain problem that i am dealing with and that is craigslist flaggers. As everyone knows, craigslist is a user runned website, where users post a variety of things such as wanting to buy/sell something, provide a service, etc. And as we all know there is a flagging system in this website where a user can flag a post that is prohibited or against the terms of use. However many people (mostly competitors in small businesses) abuse this flagging system by flagging other user's posts just so they can be the only ones listing whatever they are selling or providing.

    I run a small business selling iphone replicas (iphone knockoffs). I sell the phone for 125 while i have another competitor posting in the same city for 180 selling the same product. My ads get flagged in just 5-10 minutes after they get posted! I don't know if my ad is getting flagged for a certain reason or if i am just being flag or flag botted by my competitor. I will show you a updated listing of my ads. And if i am doing something wrong then i shouldnt be getting flagged because my competitor does not get flagged at all. My ad doesnt seem to have something that he doesn't, although they are different.

    http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/mob/1463827459.html
    here is another version i have
    http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/mob/1463830094.html
    and if both are flagged, which i assume they will be by the time you read this
    here is a very old one that isn't flagged
    http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/mob/1444259386.html

    Here is an example of my competitor's ad, which does not get flagged.
    http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/mob/1463759878.html

    If you know anything on how to solve my constant flag problem then please tell me on this thread.
     
    matthew898, Nov 13, 2009 IP
  2. SouthamptonAngel

    SouthamptonAngel Peon

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    #2
    Have you tried contacting craigslist and putting forward your point of view?
     
    SouthamptonAngel, Nov 13, 2009 IP
  3. Curt7788

    Curt7788 Member

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    #3
    A lot of those flaggers use software to eliminate their competition. Your ads will stay up longer if you use image ads. Make 3 or 4 image ads. Then, make 3 or 4 titles for each one.

    Get an account at http://photobucket.com/ and host them there. You can make your image ad clickable, or non clickable using the codes you will get when you upload your images to photobucket.

    When you post your ad to CL, make sure you go way down the page after your image ad(hit the enter key a lot), and insert a paragraph of random text. It can be most anything, but it would be good to have it relate to your product. Only use the same random text on 2 ads, then change it.
     
    Curt7788, Nov 13, 2009 IP
  4. PHPGator

    PHPGator Banned

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    #4
    Users of Craigslist don't want advertisement from businesses. I don't know what your ads look like, but you need to look like your an individual, not a business. If you don't, you'll get flagged every time.
     
    PHPGator, Nov 13, 2009 IP
  5. getthatdough

    getthatdough Peon

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    #5
    cl is full of trolls, it is something you have to learn to deal with, also competition will do that do drive you out.
     
    getthatdough, Nov 13, 2009 IP
  6. BadBoyzStudioZ

    BadBoyzStudioZ Peon

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    #6
    Nothing you can do friend. Craigslist is notorious for flagging. They hate advertisements for affiliate stuff, and your "competitors" can flag you as well. And Craigslist staff will tell you the same thing. They will also tell you to quit spamming their site. (Trust me, I know).

    Best thing to do is not link to a website. Just set up an autoresponder and after they respond then send them a link. Wait for them to respond though. That way you stand less of a chance of being flagged. But really, there is not a thing you can do one way or the other. Just be more careful about putting direct links in a Craigslist ad.

    Honestly? I would not even put the link in the autoresponder. I would only make a statement and ask if they are still interested. At that point they have double-opted in and guess what? YOU have their email address. Can't get better than double-opt in email addresses.

    I would never put any link in a Craigslist ad. Not pictures, not anything. Just ask a stupid question like. Have you ever wanted one of...? And people will check it out. Curiosity works best. Don't show all of your cards until you have proper responses and they have double opted in. Once you have their email there is NOTHING Craigslist has to say about it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2009
    BadBoyzStudioZ, Nov 13, 2009 IP