open letter to craigslist seller

For the last few weeks, I have been searching for some fairly specific furniture pieces on craigslist. The more searching I do, the more frustrated I become at the sellers and their lack of information in the postings. So, in a moment of complete and utter annoyance and frustration, I wrote my own open letter to craigslist sellers. And to think, some people cannot understand why their stuff doesn't sell. There is likely one, or several reasons mentioned below...

Dear Craigslist Seller:

If you are going to take the time to post something for sale then you should take the time to have a way for someone to email you. If you do not have access to email, or a working camera, then you should not be selling on the Internet. Period.

I realize you may think it's "gorgeous" and a "must see", but if it was all that great then what are you trying to hide in refusing to post a photo. If it is not the right size/dimension, color, wood, fabric, etc., then it is useless to me. So saying it’s about 4-5 feet long does not help me - get a tape measure. Please do not post "photo available upon request"; save us both the time and trouble and post it the first time. None of us have the time to request a photo from every one of you who are too ignorant and/or lazy to learn how to add it in the first place.

If someone emails you to ask a question, then take the time to respond appropriately. If I question you about the item and you choose to ignore it, then don’t email me a week later asking if I am still interested. Of course I am not interested, since you cannot even be bothered to reply to my inquiry, then why should I be bothered to consider your item. If you are going to be out of town for a week and not able to check emails, then don't post it! If it is sold, then delete it from the site.

The definition of an antique, according to U.S. customs laws, is an item made at least 100 years ago. I realize in general terms an antique can be described as any more than 50 years old. Having said that, the hideous, monstrous piece of junk that your husband/uncle/brother put together in 1976 is not an antique.

Sincerely,
Frustrated Craigslist Shopper