To the dismay of the newspaper industry, Craigslist is having their best year ever.
While other ad-driven outlets are reporting record losses, revenue for the classified ad site – which was originally launched as an email list in 1995 – is set to rise 23 percent this year. That means the company’s profits will likely top $100 million by the end of 2009.
Not only has the site snatched bragging rights as the classified ad capital away from your local newspaper, Craigslist has become a haven for what some brand as the “underground economy.”
Craigslist has allowed many entrepreneurs to sell their goods and services at a rate much faster than anything a yard sale or bulletin board at the library could offer.
But with a wider reach comes greater risks.
For those of you familiar with the site, I’m sure you’ve come across some of the more peculiar ads prevalent on Craigslist
Take this one for example:
“I am a white guy that is infatuated with beautiful black women that have a nice full a—. If you would like to make some extra cash by hanging out and having some fun then get back to me.”
Then there are the even stranger ads where you’ll find elderly older men into Pat Sajak and Kool-Aid in search of same to play Bingo with.
Or maybe you’ll discover a notice featuring some individual’s search for a buddy to sit outside with them and their telescope and search for aliens while eating yellow M&Ms.
We can't forget about those ads calling for "sexy assistants" that look like lawsuits waiting to happen.
And if you work in media, you’re well aware of job listings that seem more like calls for indentured servitude.
As if the prostitution and full-time jobs with no pay ads weren’t enough, now the scammers have flooded Craigslist in an effort to rip-off the unemployed.
You know those irritating emails from Nigerian scam artists that seek to dupe you into pouring out your bank information? They’ve since shifted their efforts to Craigslist.
A tipster recently reached out to Gawker about a sketchy job offer she secured via Craigslist. The job was purported to pay $19/hour and allowed her to work from home. Though the listing appeared to be written by a person who learned English three weeks ago she still applied.
I understand: Grammar doesn’t matter when your bank account numbers get that low.
In any event, she was asked to deposit a check, deduct money, and forward the balance to a “payment agent.” Needless to say, she quickly found a clue.
As it turned out the IP address could be traced back all the way to Lagos.
I have discovered opportunities with reputable media companies online, so while I recognize the benefits of the site I have noticed an influx of fake pimps and obvious scammers posting ads.
Has Craigslist been helpful in your career pursuits and entrepreneurial efforts?
Email me at therecessiondiaries@gmail.com.
P.S. If I were the woman who almost got hustled, I would have wrote back those scam artists and asked if they needed a writer/editor. If you’re going to scam people, at least be on your Ps and Qs. I keed, I keed.
Michael Arceneaux hails from Houston, lives in Harlem and praises Beyoncé’s name wherever he goes. Follow him on Twitter.