Flagged = Scam? maybe Not....
[QUOTE=KevinPete;388111]When I looked it said "flagged for removal" which means that it was reported as a scam.
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"Flagged for Removal" does not always mean it was a scam. I have had ads flagged off of Craig's list that certainly weren't scams. Here's a few reasons they are flagged off for other than being scams:
1. Phone number was listed incorrectly or other accidental errors like "wrong year" like 1978 not 1987.
2. Accidental statements by sellers that pi$$ off purists.
3. Again, purists that think the price asked is either to high (buyers) or to low (sellers) and want the ad removed.
4. Buyers that want to block other buyers from seeing the ad until they go look/find money/make up their mind or convince spouse.
5. Buyers that think the seller will drop price if the ad keeps getting flagged.
6. The PC Police. There is a group that gets it's thrills by looking for errors or miss-statements as a reason to flag ads.
There is a volunteer section on Craigs list that will evaluate flagged ads for why they were flagged as well.
In my own experiences it seems that #4, blocking other buyers, is the #1 reason for non-scam flagging. As I rent out rooms, this is very common, a would be tennant flags the ad to keep others from renting before they can.
While it usually takes more than one flag to kill an ad, it's not uncommon for some buyers to have access to many accounts from which to block. I have heard that as few as three flags will kick an ad off, others have said as many as 10 are needed and Craigs list isn't talking.
All that said, if you see an ad that was flagged reappear, walk carefully until you determine if it is a scam or not.
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