Whether you’re selling an old air compressor or trying to haggle over the price on a meat grinder, Craigslist is one of the best ways to find used goods in your local area. People who are just browsing Craigslist might not need to widen their search, but if you’re looking for a specific item, you might need to explore other areas.
It isn’t usually the default setting, but there is a way you can branch out and extend your Craigslist search to other locations. These four apps will help you do just that!
SearchCraigslist.org — Web app
One of the simplest and most effective Craigslist searchers online, SearchCraiglist returns fast and complete results for any search term you want (just remember the first few results are going to be ads, just like on Google). You can search your results by relevance or date. Date is often better for simple terms that return a lot of results (e.g. iPhone 12), while relevance is better for more specific searches that have important details (e.g. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie card).
SearchTempest — Web app
If you do not reside in the U.S. or you are interested in searching a wider array of online classifieds, SearchTempest is going to give you access to just about everything. It can search Craigslist in its entirety, in addition to eBay auctions and Amazon Marketplace listings. You can even customize your search by site, city, and distance from any particular zip code. You can also search the entire world.
The limitlessness of Search Tempest can feel a little overwhelming initially. Unless you don’t mind paying international shipping on items, you will most likely want to limit where you search. However, for those that want to see all of what’s out there, SearchTempest will show you.
CPlus for Craigslist — iOS and Android
If you’re unsure how wide to set your search, CPlus for Craigslist has expansive geo-location support. Meaning they make it quick and easy to locate the item you’re looking for in nearby cities. Once you’ve begun your search, there are advanced filtering and sorting systems you can tinker with to make parsing through the results that much easier. You can save your searches to make sure you aren’t repeating the same search. You can save any postings that are especially attractive to you in your favorites list.
The app is free to use, though there are advanced features you can pay for if you would like to up your search game. For $1.99, you can enhance the alert functionality. If you opt for the pro version, you can unlock the ability to use multiple Craigslist accounts and post more frequently. It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for garage or yard sales, dating ads, or car sales — if it’s out there, CPlus for Craigslist can locate it for you.
Search All Junk — Web app
If you’ve been searching endlessly in the interwebs for a particular (or just a general) item, we recommend using the Search All Junk tool. It comes as a blessing for those hunting for specific components, designs, furniture pieces, and other arbitrary objects they can’t seem to track down anywhere else. It operates not only on Craigslist but on different popular exchange websites such as Pennysaver and Recycler.
Once you’ve entered the word or phrase you’re searching for, the site lets you use filters that sift through results based on the specified date or region. We promise that using these filters will significantly improve your chances of snagging the item you want before anyone else stumbles across it. You’ll also find a separate sector for advanced searches, which comes in handy when you’re trying to find a particular car model or another similar item.
Overall, the Search All Junk app is an excellent resource for locating and purchasing items, whether you’re in the market for comic books or kitchen tables. No matter what you’re seeking, this site will, without a doubt, help you find it quickly and easily.
