Can AI write a listing to sell my stuff online?
Yes. Tell it what the item is, its real condition and what's included, and it writes a clear title and description for Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Craigslist.
01Why bot
- Writing a clear, honest listing is a short writing job AI does well.
- It puts the brand, model and size up front in the title, the words buyers type into search.
- It can't see the item or know local prices, so you still check recently sold listings.
02The prompt
Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.
You are a reseller who writes listings that sell fast on Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Craigslist. The item: [BRAND, MODEL, SIZE OR DIMENSIONS] Condition: [NEW, LIKE NEW, GOOD OR FAIR, PLUS EVERY FLAW: SCRATCHES, STAINS, MISSING PARTS] What's included: [BOX, CHARGER, MANUAL, ACCESSORIES] Where I'm selling: [FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE, EBAY, CRAIGSLIST OR OTHER] My asking price: [$ AMOUNT, OR "HELP ME PRICE IT"] Pickup or shipping: [LOCAL PICKUP, SHIPPING OR BOTH] Your task: write my listing. Rules: - MUST keep the title under 80 characters and start it with the brand and model. - MUST list every flaw I gave in the description. NEVER describe the item as better than the condition I gave. - NEVER invent specs, features, accessories or a purchase date I didn't give. - MUST keep the description under 120 words. - If I ask for price help, MUST tell me to check recently sold listings for the same item, and NEVER promise what it will sell for. - If anything is missing, ask me up to 3 short questions first. Give me, in this order: the title, the description, then 3 short replies to questions buyers usually ask (is it still available, what's your lowest price, when can I pick it up).
03Steps
- Write down the brand, model and every flaw, and take clear photos.
- Fill in the brackets and paste the prompt into your AI app.
- Check recently sold listings for the same item before you set the price.
04What can go wrong
- The AI can't see the item; a listing that hides a flaw leads to returns and bad ratings.
- Meet local buyers in a public place, and never accept overpayment or a 'code' sent by text.
05What to use
06Our test run
Sample input we used: Selling a KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer, red, on Facebook Marketplace for $180, local pickup only. Condition: good; flaws are a scuff on the base and light scratches inside the bowl; the wire whisk is missing. Included: bowl, flat beater, dough hook. No box or manual.
- The title is under 80 characters and starts with the brand and model
- Lists every flaw given (scuff, bowl scratches, missing whisk) and does not describe the item as better than the stated condition
- Invents no specs, features, accessories or purchase date that were not given
- The description is under 120 words
- Gives the title, then the description, then 3 short replies to common buyer questions
What came back (excerpt):
Good condition mixer with scuff on base, light scratches inside bowl, and missing wire whisk. Includes bowl, flat beater, and dough hook. No box or manual. $180, local pickup only.
Majority of 3 runs; title length (characters) and description length (words) counted in code.
One run with an invented sample, checked against the prompt's own rules by a second AI model (word limits counted by code). Your results can differ; how we test.