That's why I say "No text and no email" AND if they do send email, it gets deleted. It's not read, nor are texts.
Look, when you specify to people the best way to reach you AND they defy your simple request, that's not the right foot to start a relationship on, is it?
So, its like these people are just asking to be rejected, which is what will happen if they send an email to me. I like it, it's so easy. They went through the effort of sending a cheap email or fingering a text, and I get to reject them without even looking.
Earlier this year I sold a Whirlpool Duet washer for $350. I received about 8 emails and 2 texts in the first week. They all got ignored. A week and a half into the ad, I got a serious call, a nice enough guy who came out and bought the washer for what I was asking for it. And then within 24 hours, before I could pull the ad, I got 2 more calls.
That was easy enough.
Another rule I've found, when selling (not free stuff). There is often a "waiting period". I've heard other people say the same. "Oh, I put up an ad and I didn't hear anything for 2 weeks. Then, all of sudden, I get 5 calls in one day and boom, it's sold."
If you've posted stuff for free though, expect calls within minutes of posting the item. I swear to god. And if it's an even reasonably desirable item, expect a barrage of calls.
I recently gave away a greasy, off-brand, non-working, 20 year old generator. Within 30 minutes I had 7 calls. Even though the item wasn't picked up, I went right back and pulled the ad. I knew that one of these people would pick up and that phone WILL continue to ring like that. People will even call back 2,3, even 4 times "Did you get my message?", clogging up your VM.
A couple of years a ago, an Aunt had a large tree blow down onto her 35' camping trailer, which even in whole condition was worth maybe $1000 to $2000 at best.
The tree fell right on it making considerable damage, may have even bent the frame.
"Just get rid of it" she said. I put an ad on CL for free, telling people what to expect. Showed a picture. Told them there would be no help. They would need to be prepared to make the unit road ready or explain how they were going to remove it.
I put her number in it and posted at 2pm, by 8 am the next morning, there were over 60 calls.
"TAKE IT DOWN, TAKE IT DOWN ! They keep calling. How do we stop the ad?" LOL.
After screening only a few of the people, decided on someone and they happily came, did what they needed and took it away.
And when it's free stuff, you feel like Santa. The people are usually so happy to get stuff, and they know the statistics. The fact that THEY got chosen, makes them feel like they won a lottery.
Also, Never post your address, always be fair with people. Never post an ad " FREE _____at this address, come and get it." I've seen ads like that. The problem is, you don't know WHO is coming, and you don't want people wasting gas and time only to be disappointed because someone else got there first.