The other day the question was asked “Can you sell a bag of Trash on Craigslist”?  This question interested me

Not everything is free

Not everything is free

because in Dan Ariely’s book “Predictably Irrational“, he discussed the behavior people exhibit when something is “Free.”  In short, our brains actually react differently when “Free” is offered instead of a price.  People quickly forget there are costs associated with anything that is “Free.”

It was quickly discovered if you actually post “I have a bag of trash,” it gets flagged.  Real Fast.  Not satisfied with the result, I made a post that described a bag of garbage without using those exact words.  The result?  Well, they surprised me.  After just 12 hours, I had to take down the post because I got tired of the emails.

The ad was posted in Austin’s section of Craigslist.  It could be found in For Sale -> Free Stuff.  The posting went live around 9:45PM on Feburary 5th.

The Original Ad

“I have at least one (maybe two) bags of random stuff. Some of it is new, some of it is old, some of it is probably partially used. Honestly, I don’t remember everything I stuffed into this bag. Over the past couple of days I have just been throwing items into the bag, not really thinking about it what to do with it (until now.)

Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks!”

So there it is.  Except for the words “It is a bag of trash” I think I made it clear this bag is pretty much worthless.  Oh how I wish this were true.

The First Email

“I am interested… Random grab bag sounds fun!!

Thanks”

Now you might want to go back up and read the description again.  I never really considered this to be a “Grab Bag” nor have I ever suggested this could be “fun!!”   In fact, I would strongly discourage anyone from “grabbing” into my trash can.

Looking for Something

“I would like to pick it up today , I am going to down town for some thing. I would really appreciate if you give us to us
god bless
‘bob’ (name changed)
80X-XXXX”

Okay.  This one isn’t creepy at all.  Not one bit.  “Bob” is coming downtown for “some thing.”  Okay.  Please.  Stop by my house.  I’m sure that is “some thing” you wouldn’t mind doing.  I’m sure whatever he is doing has good intentions.  After all, he has offered me God’s Blessing.

The Trade

“That sounds like exactly what I have been looking for!!!!  I am just kidding, but, I live close to down town and could possibly pick up a bag of random stuff.  should I just trade you for a bag of random stuff from my house??? or are you serious.  anyhow, could be helpful, cause I hate spending money we don’t have and could use a bag full of old and new stuff.
thanks,
‘susan’
20X-XXXX”

Now, I think “Susan” is getting the idea!  This is exactly what I was thinking.  We should trade each other a bag of “random stuff”  (or TRASH).  Actually, this one intruiged me a little bit.  Maybe I’m starting to understand why this Social Experiment failed.  Her free stuff somehow seemed more valuable than my free rubbish.

Working 9 to 5

“I will pick it up please call me soon save it for me if you could!! I have to go to work at 9:30 this morning but i can come get it after i get off my number is 665-9989!!! Whats your number”

Really?  I have a bag of random stuff for sale on Craigslist.  And this joker expects me to hold it until this afternoon?!  C’mon dude.  It isn’t like I have a bunch of free time to kill.  Okay, well maybe a little bit otherwise this would have never been posted.

Goodwill

“Ill take them and whatever I don’t use ill give goodwill.”

There you go.  This social experiment proved one interesting idea.  If you are too lazy to take stuff to GOODWILL, someone else might do it for you.  Now that about that.  How hard is it put a bag of items good enough for GOODWILL in your car, to drop off later?  How dare this woman (it was a woman) offer to deprive me of a potential tax deductable receipt!

Conclusion

Please note that except for adding italics in one of the emails, I did not reformat anything.  Everything is copied and pasted as I received it.

Overall I received 12 emails in the span of 12 hours.  So once an hour someone read my ad and decided they wanted my bag of random stuff.  Dan Ariely was right.  When something is free, people become Predictably Irrational.  And I was right, you really can sell ANYTHING on Craigslist.