Craigslist Problems... >_> - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Fiender · 3rd Feb 2011, 08:01 AM

Hey, idk if this is the right forum but w/e

I live in a small town, and I dont get out much so I rely on online dating. Craigslist is one of the sites I "reluctantly" use.

Lately, my posts which ask for someone who is looking for a relationship, keep getting deleted. I don't know why or by who. I am pretty sure that I follow the rules to craigslist, and that someone is just doing this to piss me off (it's working).

Does anyone with Craigslist experience know how to stop someone from flagging my posts, or atleast appeal it? Or something?

I know Craigslist's reputation, and I don't seriously expect to find the love of my life on there, but still.

Revan · 3rd Feb 2011, 08:09 AM

Err your not putting your e-mail in the ad are you? Because I believe that gets your ad taken off in five seconds. If you're contacted, its through the e-mail provided at the top of the ad, the @craigslist one. And it just gets sent to your e-mail that you provided to post the ad.

Fiender · 3rd Feb 2011, 08:31 AM

No email, no numbers or anything. I'm pretty sure I'm following the craigslist rules.

Revan · 3rd Feb 2011, 09:29 AM

Hmm then I'm unsure. Try contacting them.

djt820 · 3rd Feb 2011, 12:06 PM

Putting your email or number doesn't get your shit deleted. You HAVE to at least provide your email anonymously to even post the ad. And another thing, Craigslist automatically deletes ads after a certain amount of time to ensure bandwidth space. Either it's that, or someone's being a pretty epic troll and flagging your shit repeatedly. Another thing to check: You say you're "pretty sure" you're following the rules. Don't just be pretty sure, be 100% sure you're following their guidelines before contacting Craigslist. Yes, that means read ALL of their TOS and Privacy Policies, etc.

QuantumBoi · 3rd Feb 2011, 12:35 PM

I ("reluctantly") use Craigslist as well. I have quite a bit of experience with it, as I've used it for a couple years now. Haha.

It is difficult to know what may or may not be wrong with your ad without see it. However, one of my initial problems was repeating a similar ad too often. Of course how often you can (or should) repost depends on your area. More populated areas with a higher rate of posts will mean your posts will disappear down the list rather quickly. So you could probably get away with more rapid posting. Slower areas will obviously mean less often. I would wait at least a week before posting again to make sure this is not the issue.

There are many problems that could be causing your ad to get flagged. The way craigslist is set up allows less official reasons as well. An ad may even be flagged until it is taken off simply because people don't like it. One thing you can try if it is repetitive is try the craigslist flag help forum. (craigslist -> discussion forums -> cl - flag help)

**Chip** · 3rd Feb 2011, 02:53 PM

Craigslist sucks because the owners simply don't care how much the flagging system is abused by members.

If you are posting other than in the "platonic friends" section, then it's probably getting flagged by bitter old queens who don't believe relationships are possible. That's an abuse of the flagging system, but it happens in every category (I've had help wanted ads removed, ads seeking people for participation in documentaries, all sorts of stuff) and Craig lives in this airy-fairy world where everything is wonderful and no Craigslist users would ever do anything bad for the community.

The other thing is, I've not heard of anyone having success with relationships on craigslist. It seems a lot more focused on the, uh, quick-and-dirty.

Not much you can do about it, unfortunately.

Fiender · 9th Feb 2011, 09:30 AM

OMFG

This was an ad I just posted:
"Just want to meet a guy, around my age. Hang out and see what's up.
I'm clean, and not overweight/chubby, you be to. Not into older and/or bigger guys.

Put the name of something you like in the title so I know you're not spam. Any messages with "Hang out?" for their title will just get deleted >_> "

AND IT GOT FLAGGED. THIS IS BULLSHIT.

djt820 · 9th Feb 2011, 03:09 PM

Maybe you should stop hatin' on the overweight homies.

Fiender · 9th Feb 2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djt820

Maybe you should stop hatin' on the overweight homies.

lol is this a joke? I didn't put anything offensive in my ad, I just stated a fact -_-

**Chip** · 9th Feb 2011, 05:22 PM

As I said above, bitter people, people who think you're too attractive, who themselves are overweight or unattractive or whatever... people who are just unhappy with their lives... flag anything they don't like. That's why craigslist sucks. Really nothing you can do. Their customer service is nonexistent and they're assholes who have this arrogant and naive "Oh, we know our community and they will always do the right thing" attitude. Unfortunately, you just have to use it expecting that 90% of your postings will be flagged for no valid reason.

Fiender · 10th Feb 2011, 11:44 AM

Not that craigslist was a goldmine of oppertunities, but since it doesn't look like I'll get to use it anytime soon, any other suggestions for meeting a guy?

Shevanel · 10th Feb 2011, 01:08 PM

Dating websites perhaps? None that we can name here. Do some research.

Fiender · 10th Feb 2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shevanel

Dating websites perhaps? None that we can name here. Do some research.

I know that, thank you. I mean other than dating sites, because there are never a lot of guys in my area.

djt820 · 10th Feb 2011, 07:28 PM

Honestly, Craigslist is fail for finding a relationship. It's good for trading, buying and selling and that's it. I'd look at other websites and you may have to deal with there not being a lot of people in your area because that's just the way it is.

starfish · 10th Feb 2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djt820

Honestly, Craigslist is fail for finding a relationship.

I disagree with that. The signal to noise ratio is a lot lower, but it doesn't hurt to check it out. I know a couple of people that met their partners on Craigslist.

As for no guys in your area. If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain. You may need to extend your search area and be willing to travel a little further.

LNahid2000 · 11th Feb 2011, 09:22 PM

Craigslist is shady!

Fiender · 12th Feb 2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starfish

Quote:

Originally Posted by djt820

Honestly, Craigslist is fail for finding a relationship.

I disagree with that. The signal to noise ratio is a lot lower, but it doesn't hurt to check it out. I know a couple of people that met their partners on Craigslist.

As for no guys in your area. If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain. You may need to extend your search area and be willing to travel a little further.

I would like to move to a different city altogether but, as a 19 year old whose only source of income is cashiering part-time at walmart, I doubt I can find a place within my price range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNahid2000

Craigslist is shady!

yup.

3rd Feb 2011, 08:01 AM	#1
Fiender Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Watertown, NY Age: 20 Posts: 179 Join Date: Nov 2007	Craigslist Problems... >_> Hey, idk if this is the right forum but w/e I live in a small town, and I dont get out much so I rely on online dating. Craigslist is one of the sites I "reluctantly" use. Lately, my posts which ask for someone who is looking for a relationship, keep getting deleted. I don't know why or by who. I am pretty sure that I follow the rules to craigslist, and that someone is just doing this to piss me off (it's working). Does anyone with Craigslist experience know how to stop someone from flagging my posts, or atleast appeal it? Or something? I know Craigslist's reputation, and I don't seriously expect to find the love of my life on there, but still. __________________ I'm Kosh-er. Are you?

3rd Feb 2011, 08:09 AM	#2
Revan EC Addict Full Member Gender: M for MEEP! Orientation: Mutant and Proud Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Windsor, Ontario Age: 24 Posts: 6,569 Join Date: Jun 2005	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Err your not putting your e-mail in the ad are you? Because I believe that gets your ad taken off in five seconds. If you're contacted, its through the e-mail provided at the top of the ad, the @craigslist one. And it just gets sent to your e-mail that you provided to post the ad. __________________ "Is there some reason my coffee isn't here? Has she died or something?" - Miranda Priestly. Strength is not defined by physical capacity, but by indomitable will. ~ Mahatma Gandhi Procrastination is like masturbation, in the end you just wind up screwing yourself. Last edited by Revan; 3rd Feb 2011 at 08:11 AM..

3rd Feb 2011, 08:31 AM	#3
Fiender Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Watertown, NY Age: 20 Posts: 179 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> No email, no numbers or anything. I'm pretty sure I'm following the craigslist rules. __________________ I'm Kosh-er. Are you?

3rd Feb 2011, 09:29 AM	#4
Revan EC Addict Full Member Gender: M for MEEP! Orientation: Mutant and Proud Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Windsor, Ontario Age: 24 Posts: 6,569 Join Date: Jun 2005	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Hmm then I'm unsure. Try contacting them. __________________ "Is there some reason my coffee isn't here? Has she died or something?" - Miranda Priestly. Strength is not defined by physical capacity, but by indomitable will. ~ Mahatma Gandhi Procrastination is like masturbation, in the end you just wind up screwing yourself.

3rd Feb 2011, 12:06 PM	#5
djt820 Brutally Honest Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: DICKS EVERYWHERE Out Status: Like A Cock Slapping Your Face Kind-of Out. Location: SoCal Age: 19 Posts: 1,282 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Putting your email or number doesn't get your shit deleted. You HAVE to at least provide your email anonymously to even post the ad. And another thing, Craigslist automatically deletes ads after a certain amount of time to ensure bandwidth space. Either it's that, or someone's being a pretty epic troll and flagging your shit repeatedly. Another thing to check: You say you're "pretty sure" you're following the rules. Don't just be pretty sure, be 100% sure you're following their guidelines before contacting Craigslist. Yes, that means read ALL of their TOS and Privacy Policies, etc. __________________

3rd Feb 2011, 12:35 PM	#6
QuantumBoi EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay, Kinsey 6 Out Status: Out to whoever asks. Location: Asheville, North Carolina, USA Age: 21 Posts: 350 Join Date: Jan 2011	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> I ("reluctantly") use Craigslist as well. I have quite a bit of experience with it, as I've used it for a couple years now. Haha. It is difficult to know what may or may not be wrong with your ad without see it. However, one of my initial problems was repeating a similar ad too often. Of course how often you can (or should) repost depends on your area. More populated areas with a higher rate of posts will mean your posts will disappear down the list rather quickly. So you could probably get away with more rapid posting. Slower areas will obviously mean less often. I would wait at least a week before posting again to make sure this is not the issue. There are many problems that could be causing your ad to get flagged. The way craigslist is set up allows less official reasons as well. An ad may even be flagged until it is taken off simply because people don't like it. One thing you can try if it is repetitive is try the craigslist flag help forum. (craigslist -> discussion forums -> cl - flag help) __________________ "I can't believe that you and me were falling out of love. And everybody used to be so envious of us. Chemistry like apple and cinnamon. . .what we had was just too good- good to last." -- Utada Hikaru! ~,~'<3

3rd Feb 2011, 02:53 PM	#7
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,583 Join Date: May 2008	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Craigslist sucks because the owners simply don't care how much the flagging system is abused by members. If you are posting other than in the "platonic friends" section, then it's probably getting flagged by bitter old queens who don't believe relationships are possible. That's an abuse of the flagging system, but it happens in every category (I've had help wanted ads removed, ads seeking people for participation in documentaries, all sorts of stuff) and Craig lives in this airy-fairy world where everything is wonderful and no Craigslist users would ever do anything bad for the community. The other thing is, I've not heard of anyone having success with relationships on craigslist. It seems a lot more focused on the, uh, quick-and-dirty. Not much you can do about it, unfortunately.

9th Feb 2011, 09:30 AM	#8
Fiender Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Watertown, NY Age: 20 Posts: 179 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> OMFG This was an ad I just posted: "Just want to meet a guy, around my age. Hang out and see what's up. I'm clean, and not overweight/chubby, you be to. Not into older and/or bigger guys. Put the name of something you like in the title so I know you're not spam. Any messages with "Hang out?" for their title will just get deleted >_> " AND IT GOT FLAGGED. THIS IS BULLSHIT. __________________ I'm Kosh-er. Are you?

9th Feb 2011, 03:09 PM	#9
djt820 Brutally Honest Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: DICKS EVERYWHERE Out Status: Like A Cock Slapping Your Face Kind-of Out. Location: SoCal Age: 19 Posts: 1,282 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Maybe you should stop hatin' on the overweight homies. __________________

9th Feb 2011, 05:22 PM	#11
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,583 Join Date: May 2008	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> As I said above, bitter people, people who think you're too attractive, who themselves are overweight or unattractive or whatever... people who are just unhappy with their lives... flag anything they don't like. That's why craigslist sucks. Really nothing you can do. Their customer service is nonexistent and they're assholes who have this arrogant and naive "Oh, we know our community and they will always do the right thing" attitude. Unfortunately, you just have to use it expecting that 90% of your postings will be flagged for no valid reason.

10th Feb 2011, 11:44 AM	#12
Fiender Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Watertown, NY Age: 20 Posts: 179 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Not that craigslist was a goldmine of oppertunities, but since it doesn't look like I'll get to use it anytime soon, any other suggestions for meeting a guy? __________________ I'm Kosh-er. Are you?

10th Feb 2011, 01:08 PM	#13
Shevanel One Is Light. One Is Dark. Full Member Gender: The Dude Orientation: Bi-Winning Out Status: Everybody and Your Mom. Location: Bolivar, Ohio (From NY though) Age: 21 Posts: 7,672 Join Date: Dec 2008	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Dating websites perhaps? None that we can name here. Do some research. __________________ If there were no rewards to reap, No loving embrace to see me through this tedious path I've chosen here, I certainly would've walked away by now. Gonna wait it out... Be patient.

10th Feb 2011, 07:28 PM	#15
djt820 Brutally Honest Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: DICKS EVERYWHERE Out Status: Like A Cock Slapping Your Face Kind-of Out. Location: SoCal Age: 19 Posts: 1,282 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Honestly, Craigslist is fail for finding a relationship. It's good for trading, buying and selling and that's it. I'd look at other websites and you may have to deal with there not being a lot of people in your area because that's just the way it is. __________________

11th Feb 2011, 09:22 PM	#17
LNahid2000 Member Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to 2 Friends Location: Toronto, ON Age: 24 Posts: 53 Join Date: Apr 2006	Re: Craigslist Problems... >_> Craigslist is shady!

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