After an ad went up on Craigslist the first time - 17 calls in 10 minutes had me pulling it down IMMEDIATELY and quite excited about the interest. It seemed that the world wanted a free home and that we would have no trouble getting rid of it.
Enter - Stupid Humans. Sorry, that might be harsh but honestly, people don't think when they see FREE, they just react, engage brain and common sense later.
So here is my ad:
We are looking to give away a 1972 Arctic Mobile Home La Cruz Double Wide
It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, kitchen, living room, dining room, extra room, laundry room. Kitchen includes full cabinets, dishwasher and oven. Bathrooms include all facilities.
It measures 60X24
We will remove the roof, porch and deck prior to moving so it can travel.
Not sure where I went wrong with the wording and I had to reread it a few times to make sure I hadn't inadvertently said RV, on-site etc...
Here is an example of some gems we got in response to the ad, I weeded out the ones that were so hopped on some kind of drug that their messages sounded like they were 2yo:
Respondent 6: Yeh, I am interested in the home for free.....details, details.....Oh, I need land to put it on? Okay, never mind!!!
Yes, you need somewhere to put a 60x24' HOUSE - its not an RV!
Rsepondent 8: Will it fit on my 20ft trailer and can I move it in one trip?
Ummmm, its 60ft LONG - don't think 20ft trailer will do it and its 24ft wide, you would take up the ENTIRE road, doubt the county is gonna like that.
Respondent 12: Hi, I am interested in your double wide mobile home.
Huh, what, where am I, what mobile home, Uhhhhh, its 5:02AM on a Thursday morning, why on earth are you calling me NOW!
Well, can you take my number and call me back with more information about it?
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even find my feet let alone pen at this hour.
Respondent 13: Why are you removing the roof?
Respondent 13: Why are you removing the roof?
Don't think our neighbors will be thrilled with losing power as you drive down the road with a 20ft tall house tearing out the power and phone lines as it goes and you better hope there isn't a tunnel on that route to your place.
It will never cease to amaze me the ability of man to miss so many obvious logistical issues when reading an ad.
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThe sizes given plus the COMPLETE list of the rooms, etc would seem to be enough information for those with brains. However, perhaps the words "(NOT AN RV)"inserted after Mobile would stop those non-thinking readers who suffer from ear-to-ear airconditioning.