Is Craigslist Like Wal-Mart?
from the kinda-puts-a-different-spin-on-things dept
Craigslist has a reputation for being a big, friendly community -- and the newspapers who can't deal with the competition are simply out of touch and slow to react. However, someone from within the (alternative) newspaper business is shooting back and claiming that the idea that Craigslist is all about a cuddly community is "bullshit." Instead, Craigslist is to local newspapers like what Wal-Mart is to local mom-and-pop shops:"In many ways, he's like a Wal-Mart – yeah, landlords get cheaper real estate ads, and consumers find some bargains, but the money all goes out of town. And he puts nothing back into the community: He doesn't, for example, hire reporters or serve as a community watchdog."Definitely an interesting way of looking at things -- though, again, it does come back to being a competitive issue. If that's what people want, is it a problem? Why aren't the local papers already offering similar services in their own communities that pre-empt the demand for Craigslist? In places that Craigslist doesn't serve, it seems like the local newspaper should still have a ton more name recognition than Craigslist (who, in spite of its popularity with the geekset, isn't that well known outside of its core cities).
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Agreed
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Money going out of town...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
See, I'm helping to save the planet. There's always some bit of good in a situation...just depends on how you look at it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
the mainstream (and even local) press hasn't been that in over a decade.
they jump on bandwagon hype stories and drop them as soon as they're something new and shiny.
I wouldn't trust the press to keep my place in the lunch queue let alone show any integrity when it comes to looking after the community
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sissy
They're just bitter cos they didn't have the sense or vision to make it to market first. Get over it boys.. and quit your sissy whining already.
Yes that's right. Soon you will bow to Craig, your new master.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
sad
Lately I moved to a red state. The fucked up thing is that wal-mart is the best store in town. It's sad really. All the other stores are more expensive and have lower selection. What's the point?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
local newspapers?
Nothing is stopping them from putting up their own craigslist-like ad system locally, except the overpaid idiot shortsighted executives running the papers from halfway across the country.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
weird...
Question for anyone.. how does craiglist make money? I know they do have backing of ebay, but why does ebay back it when it's clearly a money losing proposition. nobody gets charged for selling. they don't send spam mail to my email.
thought?: maybe something to do with other services they have? anybody know?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: weird...
-San Francisco ($75 a category)
-New York ($25 a category)
-Los Angelos ($25 a category)
Everything else is free, including job postings in other cities.
The article is totally without merit.
CL generates enough revenue to flourish with just job postings. Lastly, CL did not sell out to eBay, but, a former CL employee sold his stock options to eBay; eBay wanted in, not the other way around.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: weird...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
CraigsList / Walmart
What money ? Almost everything you ever do with Craigslist is free.
I'd rather by a sofa from a guy round the corner (craigslist) than China (Walmart).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
That's crap
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: That's crap
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Craigslist like Wal-Mart.....step outside the box
Regardless, people will always have birds and hamsters, so newspapers will always serve some kind of function. Unless of course Craig hires someone else to fill out his lists for him, and comes to everyones house to collect guano.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Craig Newmark of craigslist is a unique and humble
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Paper is not evil
Let's start with saying print is not evil. Many media groups that run a classifieds business are indeed only interested in the volume of paid listings generated by a mass audience. They don't care about the community behind the audience.
On the other hand I have to say European media groups do care about profitability and staying in business. The cost of paper and pre-press is high, and the margin on a $20 listing in a local newspaper is narrow! It is impossible for these media groups to go for a 'free-only' model. Keep also i mind that an 'internet' only model is not optimal, as the coverage of free-local-papers is about 80% in Belgium, while the Internet penetration (broadband) is hardly reaching 50%. With other words, print does get your ad to an audience, and the response rates are high!!! Printed listings also get sometimes 20 to 30 reactions... Try it... Also remember that media groups employ many, many people. Media business is people business, as only people make the news, people create the ad and articles and people run the printing machines... who are paying them?
Secondly, I have been working in new-economy businesses, going out of business, while the media group knows how to stay in business. I am still wondering why 'free' is such a killer word... I prefer the saying 'value for money' and with certain print classifieds editions you get value for money.
Last but not least, Craigslist is not so flexible, adaptive and agile as an new-economy company ought to be. How long did it take Craig Newark to decide Jobs listings had to be paid for... 1 or 2 years, maybe 3 or more. A media group indeed acts as a dinosaur, but thinks in cycles of 2 to 3 years to launch new or paid-for services... I don't see that big difference.
Anyway, I am a big fan of Craig Newark and I wish him the best. I do think tahttechnology is changing the classifieds paradigm, and not the 'free' model as such.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Fluffy Fluffy Fluffy
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Why does Craiglist Block
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOAN OFFER
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
craigslist
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
There are better alternatives
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
craigslist.
shit...all i ever see is the "casual encounters" section. : )
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Craigslist Alternative
It includes all the basic listings- Free Stuff/ Employment/Community Events/Real Estate/Autos/Etc.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Problem with craigslist is
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Loan Offer
Full Name;Country:Amount Needed;Monthly Income:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOAN OFFER HERE,APPLY NOW
This is Ralph Alexandria international lending firm.We offer both real estate loans,business loans,establishment loans,personal loans,Educational and debt free loans,Agricultural loans,mortgage loans e.t.c to interested persons for any purpose.
Are you in need of funds for your dream project or housing?
Do you need funds for your real estate establishment or mortgage?
Have you been turned down by the bank or other lenders?
Do you need funds for your business or Agriculture?
Do you need funds for your child Education or to pay your bills?
Ralph Alexandria lending firm is granting you the opportunity to actualise your dream.If you need a loan of any type,do contact us through this email address for your loan requst:
alexandriaralph@yahoo.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOAN OFFER HERE,APPLY NOW
This is Ralph Alexandria international lending firm.We offer both real estate loans,business loans,establishment loans,personal loans,Educational and debt free loans,Agricultural loans,mortgage loans e.t.c to interested persons for any purpose.
Are you in need of funds for your dream project or housing?
Do you need funds for your real estate establishment or mortgage?
Have you been turned down by the bank or other lenders?
Do you need funds for your business or Agriculture?
Do you need funds for your child Education or to pay your bills?
Ralph Alexandria lending firm is granting you the opportunity to actualise your dream.If you need a loan of any type,do contact us through this email address for your loan requst:
alexandriaralph@yahoo.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Problems with craigslist
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOAN OFFER HERE
Adriana Jackson loan lending firm is granting all loan seekers the opportunity to actualize your dream.
We offer both Personal loans,Commercial loans,Real estate loans,Mortgage loans,Debt free loans,Agricultural loans,Project/Forclosure loans,Educational laons etc to any interested person.
Have you been turned down by banks or other lenders because of your low credit facility?Adriana Jackson lending firm is Available to assist you financially.
If you need a loan of any type,contact us through the below email address for your loan request.
jacksonadriana42@yahoo.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
FINANCIAL LOAN OFFER HERE,APPLY NOW
This is Rein Ford Loan Lending Firm,We focus on Seed Capital, Early-Stage,
Start-up Ventures,existing LLC, total completion and expansion of
investment projects with immediate funding.
Are you in desperate need of funds?
Do you desire a house or a car but lack the finances to acquire it?
Are you in need of funds for your real estate business or project establishment?
Have you been turned down by other lenders or banks?
Are you in need of funds to pay all your bills or for your child education?
Rein Ford Lending firm is granting you the opportunity to actualize your dream.We offer all type of loans to interested persons for any purpose.Contact us today through the below email address if you are interested in a loan of any type.
reinford1@yahoo.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Loan Offer
Are you in need of financial help contact us at,justiceloanfirm01@gmail.com,Also Email us the amount you need as loan...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
loan offer
need an Urgent loan or a business Loan? Have you be denied of a loan from
your bank or a any Financial Firm? Do you need a loan to pay off your bills
or buy a home? Do you need a loan to start up a business?. Make your dreams
come through by contacting GALAXY *LENDING HOME*, we give out loan with
an interest rate of 3% per annum, for more information regarding this loan
do make contact with us at the stated email below so that we can proceed
further. We give out loans to serious minded people. Get an affordable loan
at a low interest rate of 3% Contact us
galaxyloanservices@gmail.com
HOW DO I APPLY?
Please fill this application Form below:
LOAN APPLICATION FORM
Full Name*
Email*
Telephone No*
Mobile No*
Home Address*
City*
State/Province*
Country*
Fax Number*
Occupation*
Monthly Income*
Age*
Do You Have An Account? *
Have You Applied Before? *
Loan Amount Needed *
Loan Duration *
Purpose of Loan *
[ link to this | view in chronology ]