Yes, Craigslist is an easy way for lazy journalists to bust out a quick trend story (also see Facebook, Myspace, etc.). However, sometimes, tripe finds its way into the legitimate news trough. For instance:

“Free Organs” Post on Craig’s List Leads To Organ Harvester Frenzy

Can’t wait for this story to be debunked. Fellow readers, feel free to look into Oregon news sources and police files and watch this story evaporate faster than an Arctic glacier during rush hour.

Anywhoo, sorry for the long break. Some gems from recent viewing:

• Learn how to be your own dog whisperer (dog and whisper not included).

• Apparently, nowadays cat sitters need their own insurance. Who knew?

• This lovely libel comes from an almost deliriously angry woman venting against a nightclub that, among other things, lost TWO of her coats. She probably should have suspected something given that the place is on W. Weed St.
• Cleverest name award goes to the ImPURSinators and their in-home purse selling demos. Tupperware parties, take a step back!

And finally, people seem to be losing a lot of specialized wallets these days, including Hello Kitty ones and ones for the Cubbies.
Finally, the phrase “Let the buyer beware” is timeliness wisdom for all the cheapskates out there looking to get something for nothing. Like tickets for Jersey Boys or Cubs bleacher seats…. for just $1? Sorry, not giving you a link that will 100% get you robbed.

tickets jersey boys, cubs bleacher seats - $1

Even a few years ago, it seems doubtful that anyone could have predicted how simultaneously organized and fragmented our communities have become. How could they have foreseen local community forums for every issue under the sun, but not held in any city hall or community center, but from the living rooms and basements of families in every city across the nation.

o, yeah, this is about the Craigslist community in Chicago. The comments I received were generally very positive - people got what they were looking for, and at a great deal. It’s really amazing that an anonymous service can actually succeed in pleasing people nowadays.

Here’s some things you had to say about… well… yourself:

• Gail got her game on:
“Bought xbox system like new from vp of co. reasonable price excellent condition.”

• Dan furnished his house:
“I am currently writing this email while sitting on the 5 piece sectional couch that I received off of Craigslist for $40. I’m also watching the 27″ TV that someone from Craigslist was generous enough to give to me for free. On Wednesday, I met up with someone and purchased a Sony PSP video game system and I’m very happy with the purchase. Craigslist is the perfect place to join those who need with those who have.

• Sue got a superb friend:
“We were looking for a female German shepherd. We answered an ad and went out to look at her. Though she wasn’t exactly what we were looking for, we had our daughters with us and they were not going to let her stay in the situation she was in. She was starved and being kept in an empty lot. The other dogs they had were chained up and used as watch dogs to protect the junk cars they had on the lot. They wanted $200.00 even though she didn’t have any papers or shots. We gave them $160.00 and got out of there as quick as we could. She is a good dog but she jumps our 6 foot wooden fence and patrols the neighborhood. If everything is to her satisfaction, she hops back over the fence. I am 44 and love Craigslist. We look at it a couple times a week. We have also found a foosball table, a phone for our daughter, an antique ring and a purse.”

Laura: A lovely dining room set, with some difficulties
“I tried to buy a chair. Was promised the chair. Told the seller I was just coordinating with the mover on the other two items. He un-sold the chair to me and sold it to someone else. I found this out when I emailed him to ask if Sunday night was okay for the pick up, his response: ‘Sorry, sold it.’

The sofa was a great buy, but the seller misrepresented the piece. She said it was a 1940s leopard print sofa with some army green–the army green was not a color, but where the fabric had worn completely off. Still a funky, fun piece. Something I could not find at a Pottery Barn.

“The coffee table was the best story. The seller was wonderful. He was super responsive and helpful. He wanted to make sure my movers had pads because if they didn’t, he would wrap the table and I would just need to return the pads at my leisure. My movers said they had pads, but didn’t wrap the table, saying the pads were in the truck. The seller called me on my cell to tell me to call them and insist they wrap the table (as it was a beautiful vintage piece). The table was beautiful and an incredible bargain. Again, a very unique piece. The seller made the transaction a reminder that there are really wonderful people out there–you just have to find them.

The movers. They were very accommodating and patient on the phone. They paid for the items for me and allowed me to reimburse them–I just waited for them at my place. They showed up on time and it was the coldest day of the year. But, they didn’t wrap the table and it did incur a bit of damage.

• Sharona, 36, has some problems with reliability:
“On two occasions it did not work. One it did. The first two were fraudulent. One was in regard to a computer purchase. Luckily, my partner found a similar post on another “city” board that warned about the same poster. Luckily, we didn’t get scammed with that one. However, I did lose $250 dollars on a vacation rental. I actually found the poster’s name in a newspaper article in her home town (after losing my money) for an arrest on check fraud charges.
With the good experience, I bought a used king bed and feel I got a great deal. The key is to stay local and meet in person for the transaction. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way.

• One writer got some heavy stuff off her chest:
“About 3 years ago, I complained to a client that I had a 500 gallon aquarium left by a roommmate & had no idea how I was going to get rid of it, & she told me to use Craigslist. Within 5 minutes of posting, I started getting calls. I have used it ever since. The only ‘failures’ I’ve had is even giving away a bathtub & a medicine cabinet (or finding a sane boyfriend).”

I had an idea. What if the Chicago Craigslist users had a voice? What if they told me what they liked / didn’t like on Craigslist? And, most importantly, what if I didn’t have to write a column today?

Tiffany from the South Side: Rip-offery
“I was trying to find someone honest to buy frequent flyer miles from Craigslist. I had a personal family issue and needed to be in Texas. I come across this guy who took my money and I got nothing. His reply to me being upset was ‘I know how you feel missing that funeral and all but oh well.’”
Her story had a slightly happy ending, tho’.
“I purchased a Vending machine locally from a really nice guy named Adam. He was so nice to me.”

Chelsea from Uptown: Snagged a jobby-job
“I had a great experience using Craigslist to find a part-time nanny job! I was looking for a way to make some extra spending money. I found a woman on Craigslist who was looking for a nanny a few days a week with some weekend nights. She has an adorable 3 year old boy who is so much fun to take care of. I was concerned about meeting with her at first, but she gave me a really good vibe through our emails. Turns out, my boyfriend and her husband attended the same high school and their parents live near each other in Michigan. For every creepy Craigslist story there are surely more successes such as mine!

Randy: Toolin’
“Craigslist.com has been very useful for me with selling merchandise in the “tools” & “wanted” sections, getting some good stuff from the ‘free’ section and buying items in the ‘material’ section. As with anything, most of the people I encounter are good but there are a few screwballs.”

More soon!

“Free stuff” - A fine section of Craigslist that may actually yield used gold. It’s so interesting the types of things that people somehow acquire and yet have no use for – used palettes, print paper, women’s medium jeans. Why a lot of this stuff isn’t donated to the Salvation Army or the like I’ll never know. Strong backs recommended.

Free pool table – balls and sticks. Shark not included.

Barbie accessories – Barbie sold separately.

Clawfoot bathtub – “Looks usable” translates into “let your mother-in-law try it first.”
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/zip/585232046.html

Free haircut at Sine Qua Non Salon. For advanced student class, so ask to see a student ID.

Adobe Illustrator 7.0 for Mac – Hey, this guy will even mail it to you!

Free reflexology sessions – Chillax!

Steel cage – For gnome-size steel cage matches.

Fancy Feast cat food leftover from picky cat

Hey Chicago - Fill that aching void in your life with some do-gooderism. Why? Because it’s probably better for you than Project Runway, World of Warcraft or huffing Cheeze Whiz.

Usher for Blue Man Group! ‘Nuff said!

ESL Tutors Needed - No second language required! (McKinley Park)

Big brains needed for science shtuff - Help teach the public about SCIENCE. Join a website, marketing or other committee and get your edjamacation on! (Monk’s Pub, 205 W. Lake St. Chicago Loop)

Help with modeling and get a FREE bob haircut – Uncle Festers need not apply. (Lakeview)

Spring clean a YMCA – This weekend only! Unless your are some sort of person with an ivory tower stuck up their rear, you probably have a soft spot for the excellent community programming put out by YMCAs. So get on it! (Chicago)

Get paid for your irresponsible drug habit! –If you use or abuse Ritalin, your downward spiral might be worth some $$$ to some scientician.