For Craigslist Sellers

Craigslist No-Shows
Are Driving You Insane

66% of confirmed buyers never show up. Add the accountability Craigslist lacks: scheduling links, phone verification, reminders, and optional deposits.

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Phone verification
80% fewer no-shows
Safer meetups

The Craigslist Reality

25+ years and Craigslist still hasn't solved these problems.

66% of Confirmed Buyers Don't Show

Two-thirds of people who say 'I'll be there' never arrive. No message, no call, no explanation. Just wasted time.

80% of Responses Are Scams

Fake check scams, Google Voice verification scams, 'I'll send my cousin' scams. The signal-to-noise ratio is terrible.

Meeting Anonymous Strangers

Craigslist has no verification, no ratings, no accountability. You're meeting complete strangers with no idea who they are.

“Trying to sell stuff on Craigslist is driving me insane.”

— Mr. Money Mustache Forum

Add What Craigslist Is Missing

Craigslist won't change. But you can add these tools yourself.

Scheduling Links

Buyers pick a specific time slot. No more 'I'll come by sometime today' vague commitments.

Phone Verification + Reminders

Buyers enter their real phone number. They get SMS reminders. Anonymity is reduced.

Optional Deposits

A non-refundable deposit applied to purchase price filters out scammers and flakers. Serious buyers have no problem with it.

15-Day Free Trial — Cancel Anytime

Safer Craigslist Meetups

When buyers book through ShowdUp.com, they provide their real phone number and (optionally) a deposit. They're no longer completely anonymous. Combine this with meeting at a police station safe zone, and you've dramatically reduced your risk.

Keep Craigslist, Add ShowdUp.com

Your Craigslist process, now with accountability.

1

Post on Craigslist as usual

Nothing changes about your listing process.

2

Include your ShowdUp link in the post

'Serious buyers: book a pickup time here: [your link]'

3

Buyers book, verify phone, pay deposit

They're no longer anonymous. Scammers and flakers are filtered out.

4

Reminders go out, buyers show up

They get SMS reminders. You get confirmation. No-shows drop dramatically.

Craigslist Seller Questions

Answers about no-shows, safety, and scams on Craigslist.

Why do Craigslist buyers not show up?
Research shows 66% of Craigslist buyers who confirm a meetup don't show up. The main reasons: complete anonymity means zero accountability, no rating system to penalize flakers, and buyers message multiple sellers then only respond to the first reply. ShowdUp adds the accountability layer Craigslist lacks.
How do I stop no-shows when selling on Craigslist?
Experienced Craigslist sellers use these strategies: 1) Don't share your address until buyer confirms they're leaving, 2) Require a specific appointment time (not 'sometime this afternoon'), 3) Send a reminder the day of. ShowdUp automates all of this with scheduling links and automated reminders.
Is it safe to meet strangers from Craigslist?
Safety is a real concern—meet at police station 'safe zones' or busy public places, bring someone with you, and only meet during daylight. ShowdUp adds a layer of accountability: when buyers book through a scheduling link and provide their phone number, they're no longer anonymous strangers.
How do I avoid Craigslist scammers?
Red flags include: requests for 'verification codes' (Google Voice scam), offers to pay more than asking price, buyers who can't meet in person, and payment via gift cards or wire transfer. ShowdUp's phone verification and deposit system filters out most scammers automatically.
Should I require a deposit for Craigslist sales?
Yes, but asking for Venmo/Cash App looks sketchy to buyers. ShowdUp provides a professional deposit system through PayPal that buyers trust. The non-refundable deposit is applied toward the total purchase price, so serious buyers have no issue with it.
Why is Craigslist so frustrating for sellers?
The main frustrations: 66% no-show rate, 80%+ of responses are scams, outdated interface, no buyer verification, and constant reposting required. While the platform itself won't change, ShowdUp adds the scheduling, reminders, and verification that Craigslist lacks.

Stop Letting Craigslist Drive You Insane

Add scheduling, verification, and deposits. Reduce no-shows by 80%.

Start Your Free Trial

15-day free trial. Works with any Craigslist listing. Cancel anytime.