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 [1] 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).”