My adventures with Kijiji
“Before this project, I had never actually used Kijiji – so making something that worked “just like it but different” was going to be an interesting task.”
Lately, I’ve been working on building an online classifieds site that works something like Kijiji . The client wanted to build a better, simpler online classifieds site – and Kijiji seemed like a good place to start.
Before this project, I had never actually used Kijiji – so making something that worked “just like it but different” was going to be an interesting task. With that in mind, I set about to researching the way that Kijiji works – posting three frivolous ads on the classifieds site.
While that helped me learn how the ad-posting and management processes on Kijiji works, it also taught me something: Kijiji users are a strange bunch.
The e-mail responses started to come in instantly. The first posting was for 3 pens(red,blue, and black) and a lift business card.
Some users were confused. Others thought I was actually selling something(although all the ads said ‘free’) – and someone offered me a ruler for trade. I e-mailed back and told them we were open to trading, but they have not accepted yet.
After realizing that it was unlikely I would get anything other than joke responses to the pens, I posted an ad with a bit more of a serious side to it: 20 mL of Jakemans Maple Syrup (thanks Micah).
Once again, responses were almost instant. One user wondered if a pancake came with the syrup. Another (who had apparently seen my other ad) was curious as to why I was giving away such strange things. Someone offered to trade a travel bar of soap, noting that I was clearly a fan of single use items. A french user sent me an e-mail, saying only “salut ouii ouiii jai le gout de manger une crepe hahahah” – which I can only assume means “yes, yes, how will it taste on crepes?” – because I do not speak french. Another user thought that I was doing a social experiment – which, I suppose, I was.
No one actually said definitively that they would be coming to pick up the syrup – although one asked if I could deliver it to his house(unfortunately, I don’t do delivery).
With no one coming to pick up the pens or the syrup, I decided it was time to take things to the next level. I posted my third and final ad .
Unfortunately, Edmonton Kijiji users are apparently not interested in Einstein Lamb Pens very much. This ad got the least responses of the bunch – although one user wanted to know whether I had a highlighter I could give them instead.
It’s been over 2 weeks now, and no one has yet come to pick up any of these three items. You know what that means?
They’re still up for the taking.
