Gigaom.com writer Chris Albrecht recently contacted Craigslist to see if he could quantify his anecdotal evidence that the number of garage sales are up dramatically this summer. While it makes sense that more people would be trying to raise cash during an economic downturn, it's still interesting to see. As shown in Gigaom.com's chart below, the number of garage sale listings on Craigslist were up 100% in May 2008 compared to May 2007. That's a big increase!
While I don't doubt more people are both selling stuff to raise cash and looking for bargains on used stuff, this particular chart could also show an increase in craigslist users.
Posted by: Nick | July 28, 2008 at 02:25 AM
Fascinating.
Posted by: Greg Feirman | July 28, 2008 at 01:37 PM
So what... how does it compare to Craig'slist total listings? Might those be up 100% too? After all, listings are free, and things sell there. Only a damned fool would not use it once they discovered the possibilities and alternatives (PAID advertising).
I should also ask what the y/y comparison is with newspaper classifieds which are beyond the shadow of a doubt lower y/y.
So, in summary, ads go to low cost and what works. Don't know that the graph means squat beyond that....
Posted by: stan | July 28, 2008 at 10:49 PM