I received the following e-mail from a reader named Todd who asks why I support Geebo.com?
I have been reading some of your stories… and I noticed in every story you advertise a safer alternative to craigslist with geebo.com… but I am curious to know what the difference is (and why do you just bash craigslist can this not happen with any classifieds, eBay, geebo, etc..) to me they look like very similar services. Even the posting an ad page looks similar… I don’t expect a response, but if you could please let me know I am curious… Thanks
First I’d like to address this is not a ‘bash craigslist’ site per se. I am very critical of craigslist because I believe they are more concerned with their bottom line than the safety of not only their own customers but the people that have been and are still trafficked on their site.
Also it’s not just craigslist that I am critical. I am also very critical, maybe even more so, with the Village Voice Media owned backpage.com. In my opinion their business practices are even worse than craigslist’s.
And these stories can happen with any free classifieds site however it also depends on what that site does to help in protecting its users.
Which brings me to why is Geebo a safer alternative. Rather than speak for Geebo.com I asked Geebo CEO Greg Collier for his response because I have that kind of pull.
This is Greg Collier, Founder/President of Geebo, responding to your inquiry. I appreciate you taking the time to contact Trench Reynolds to learn about the safer, more secure online classified site that Geebo provides over Craigslist. I wish more individuals would take the time to learn the difference. In some instances, such an inquiry could be life-changing, even life-saving.
From our inception Geebo has employed a rigorous review process for all submissions received. After a user submits their post, a Geebo staff member reviews it to ensure that it satisfies our guidelines regarding content, language, and legality. Typically, posts do and they are then made available on Geebo. Posts that do not qualify, however, never make their way onto our site. This procedural safeguard allows Geebo to prevent illegal activities, such as human trafficking, prostitution, etc., from utilizing our site and preying on our users.
Craigslist does none of this. Instead of reviewing their classified submissions prior to online publication, Craigslist just lets them “go live.” In an attempt to conceal their reckless disregard for their customer’s safety, Craigslist imposes a self-regulation method in which users can “flag” posts they find offensive or inconsistent with Craigslist rules. Based upon the reported instances of rape, robbery, murder, prostitution, and human trafficking that have been linked to Craigslist, their method doesn’t work.
Geebo also eliminated our personals category. Though we never had a problem, which we credit to our review process, we never wanted to. We took this preemptive step a few months ago and, although Craigslist has followed suit in recent weeks, their lack of a review process vitiates any security that could be procured by such a move. Instead of illegal activity ceasing to take shape with the removal of Craigslist’s adult services section, such ads are now posted elsewhere thanks to the absence of a review procedure.
In short, Geebo takes the safety, security, and life of our users seriously.
I hope this answers your questions.
And that’s why I support Geebo. I can’t think of any other classifieds site that has been around as long as Geebo has that really looks out for its users.
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