Waving the flag
Wednesday, September the 30th at 2:22 PM
in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Nine (5 months, 2 weeks ago)
I
know I mentioned my late arrival to the Craigslist phenomenon (you know, that it exists and that one can find things and buy them from across the vastness of the internet). I've since bought a number of items from that hideously ugly site, and it's proven a good way to suck many minutes from my otherwise productive days... Many minutes I can productively be trolling other web sites, and generally avoiding my actual job.
Over the last few weeks though, one of the Craiglist feeds I browse has been attacked (too strong?), maybe just annoyed by an anonymous flagger. This is a person that essentially goes through the ads on the Springfield, IL Furniture by Owner classifieds and flags them as inappropriate in some fashion. This gets the ad removed from the site (if I understand the process), and someone then has a hard time selling their lamp made out of macaroni or their handmade Dreamcatcher. This is how Craigslist manages to only have a dozen or so employees - they let the world at large moderate the list. Anyhow, the masked flagger has struck, and the Springfield-area furniture sellers are furious. I feel their fury, and I think it's important to document the chaos. The responses to the situation (also posted on Craigslist) run the gamut from frothy threats to sympathetic people who might have employment opportunities as doormats.
FLAGGER IDENTIFICATION
Does anyone know how to contact Craigslist to suggest flaggers be identified in our account section and the reason why? It seems CL administration could EASILY fix this by giving notice that your identity WILL be published WHEN you flag a post and that you MUST give a reason for FLAGGING if you do. For those who flag compliant posts as an annoyance or hobby, they could be banned. If anyone has any info as to how to make this suggestion, please let me know. Too bad someone has to ruin a good thing for others. For some, our time is precious. Seems like some weenie needs a life in the Springfield area and start considering others.
Flagger, Why are you doing this??
What is the point of doing this? Is it funny to you? Do you have some vendeta against CL? Do you just not like furniture?? Whats the deal?
I'm not going to sit here and curse you like everyone else, i'm asking you to please stop flagging ads. Some > of us need to sell to make a living and/or make ends meet.
Please Stop!
What is the point of doing this? Is it funny to you? Do you have some vendeta against CL? Do you just not like furniture?? Whats the deal?
I'm not going to sit here and curse you like everyone else, i'm asking you to please stop flagging ads. Some > of us need to sell to make a living and/or make ends meet.
Please Stop!
Then things started getting all upper-cased and legalized:
FLAGGING OF NON AMERICAN TRADITION (EVERONE)
FOR THE FLAGGING IDIIOTS THAT HAVE NO LIFES WE MUST SEEK HELP FROM THE ILL STATE JOURNAL REGISTER AT 788-1330 TALK TO THE EDITIOR AND KEEP CALLING TELL THENM CRAIGSLIST IS AT IT AGAINM AND IS LETTING ALL THIS SQUABBLING GOING ON THE CRAIGSLIST FORM AND SE E WHAT THEY DO, ALSO CALL ATTY LISA MADIGAN A FINE LADY FOR OUR PEOPLE OF THIS STATE........... SHE WILLGET MOVING KINOCK THIS CHILDISH STUFF DOWN,,THEY DID IT TO CRAIGSLIST WHEN THEY HAD THIS SEX BUYUNG GOING ON...CALLTHE EDITIR AT STATE JOURNAL REGISTER AND GET THE BALLLL GOING 788-1550 COPY THIS FORM
...and efforts to involve the Kraigslist Kops had mixed results:
Has anyone gotten hold of CL? (Springfield) $1
I called CL repeatedly yesterday and was told to try back later.
I tried to call CL this morning. I chose option 1 and was told I was caller 8, that there would be an 8-minute wait until my call was answered. Great! Better than yesterday when no one even answered the phone. So I waited ... caller 8 with 5 minutes to wait.... caller 8 with 3 minutes to wait.... caller 7 with less than 2 minutes to wait...caller 6 with 3 minutes to wait....caller 5 with 9 minutes to wait....caller 4 with 16 minutes to wait...caller 3 with 17 minutes to wait...caller 2 with 19 minutes to wait... .Finally I am caller 1 ... "You will be the next call answered"... so I am hopeful, right? Do you know what the next message was???? Sorry, there are no one available to take your call. Please call back.
Has anyone been able to get hold of CL????
Got ahold of Craigslist! (Springfield) $1
I got through on craigslist hotline just now. They said a lot of people have been calling in and their techinical team is looking into it. So, hopefully the "FLAGGER" gets booted!
I got through on craigslist hotline just now. They said a lot of people have been calling in and their techinical team is looking into it. So, hopefully the "FLAGGER" gets booted!
Yes, I got through to CL (Springfield, IL)
Yes, I was able to get through to CL yesterday. I chose option 2 and waited about 10 minutes or so. The man I talked to said that they cannot do anything about the abuse in that department. He said he had already gotten a couple of calls about the problem in Springfield. He said abuse/harrassment complaints are handled in a totally different department. You must send your reports through the abuse section of the website or post your complaints in the feedback section, which I have done already.
Yes, I was able to get through to CL yesterday. I chose option 2 and waited about 10 minutes or so. The man I talked to said that they cannot do anything about the abuse in that department. He said he had already gotten a couple of calls about the problem in Springfield. He said abuse/harrassment complaints are handled in a totally different department. You must send your reports through the abuse section of the website or post your complaints in the feedback section, which I have done already.
And finally, finally people began to Take back the List® and we see the human spirit will not be bowed by such profligate oppression:
YOU FAILED, FLAGGER
This is to the flagger who kept flagging the countertop table and chairs a few days ago: YOU FAILED MISERABLY!!! I SOLD IT ON CRAIGSLIST DESPITE YOUR IDIOTIC BEHAVIOR! MAYBE IDIOTIC IS TOO BIG OF WORD FOR YOU. (It means you are an idiot/) Look up idiot in the dictionary and your photo would be right next to it. Leave these good people who are trying to sell stuff on craigslist alone and get a life! OBVIOUSLY you have no life. I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU!!! DON'T WORRY, it will catch up with you. I would like to see you step up and respond to this ad, but I'm absolutely certain you are too gutless, a coward with nothing to do but flag people's ads. To the good people using craigslist to sell their things: Don't stop using this site because of this LOSER!
Flaggers Beware!!! (Springfield IL)
I have logged IP addresses for two flaggers:
98.212.99.253 which is a Comcast IP and I have sent them an e-mail about this individual 163.191.202.2 . which is a State of Ilinois IP and I have sent them an e-mail about this individual using govt't property for non-state business
I am also searching for email addresses connected with these IPs. And remember, there are scammers and spammers who just need an IP address to have loads of fun ;) My ads have a counter on them, so flagger beware!
98.212.99.253 which is a Comcast IP and I have sent them an e-mail about this individual 163.191.202.2 . which is a State of Ilinois IP and I have sent them an e-mail about this individual using govt't property for non-state business
I am also searching for email addresses connected with these IPs. And remember, there are scammers and spammers who just need an IP address to have loads of fun ;) My ads have a counter on them, so flagger beware!
FInally, the scoundrel steps up and reveals himself... or did he?!?
I'm the Flagger (Springfield IL)
Greeting all, I am the notorious flagger who has been removing everyone's ads. Why do I do it? Because I'm a loser who did not get enough hugs as a kid and never got what I wanted. Then I come to Craigslist and see people wanting to sell their stuff so I enquire about what they are selling and want it for free or all to myself...and when it doesnt go my way, I create multiple email accounts so I can flag ppl's ads. It gives me a sense of control and power because let's face it, sitting at home and collecting welfare isn't that much fun.
Sensing that this was not actually the flagger, people began diving deep into the phantom phlagger's psyche & hygiene:
cowardly flagger (in his dirty diaper) $10
whoever is doing this obviously doesnt know what KARMA is. What goes around comes around. His mommy forgot to tell him he had to grow up someday, and hes stuck in his sh**ty diaper. Craigslist is teribly negligent to let this go on, i have sent 5 letters/complaints and have had no reply except forthe automated letter saying i would hear from a person soon. what a joke
flagging loser (springfield)
whoever is flagging all these posts, you're a p***y. you are probably a loser of gigantic proportions and got your sensitive feelings hurt by something dealing with craigslist and now this is your way at "getting back at the world". stop being a p***y and let the rest of us do our business that we came for on here and you go cry alone in the dark somewhere and listen to emo music you piece of crap.
whoever is flagging all these posts, you're a p***y. you are probably a loser of gigantic proportions and got your sensitive feelings hurt by something dealing with craigslist and now this is your way at "getting back at the world". stop being a p***y and let the rest of us do our business that we came for on here and you go cry alone in the dark somewhere and listen to emo music you piece of crap.
Today the list appears to be the fount of awesome deals it usually is, with no notable rants from the flagged victims. Perhaps Craigslist finally stepped in, or my theory, we've witnessed the return of the Zodiac Killer, and he's coming for your Super Single Waterbed with Mirrored Headboard.
1 Comment
You type, and I'll breathe over your shoulder.
Fancy comments are frowned upon - your WWW links will work though.
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Posts in Time
2. Why do people online either use ALL caps or no caps?
3. Maybe I'm just contrary, but I'm really feeling the urge to go flag some furniture posts on Craigslist.
BTW, very funny post!