A woman in Boulder, CO, has learned a tough lesson about being more precise with the wording of her Craigslist ads… and about locking her house, after her plan to give away some unwanted items devolved into looting.

A few weeks ago, the woman had posted this ad on Craigslist, announcing that:

EVERYTHING’S FREE!!!
Furniture!
Clothes!
Books!
Toys!
We’re giving it away, so come take it away!

She had originally listed the start time as 8 a.m. but later edited it to say 10 a.m. And in spite of her “No early birds, please!” request, several people apparently showed up at the original time.

Unfortunately, the woman was not there when people began arriving and she left her home “unsecured and open,” according to the police.

So you can imagine what happened next.

As folks began to take the woman at her word that “everything’s free,” one shopper had a hunch that something was amiss. So she called a phone number she found on a card in the house. It was the woman’s mom, who subsequently called the police.

According to DailyCamera.com, the woman arrived back home at the same time as the police arrived on the scene, but the damage had been done.

Thus, a few days later the woman posted the following update on Craigslist:

Due to miscommunication and confusion over start time, many items were taken that were not meant to be free.
PLEASE return the following items as soon as possible if you have them:

Lawnmower and garden hose (these belong to the landlord)
Comforter set,
Mens clothes from upstairs,
Tools
ANYTHING from upstairs.

Please be honest and return these things

Her roommate, who had left earlier that morning for a camping trip, was a little peeved.

“I don’t blame her for people walking into the house,” said the roommate. “They shouldn’t have done that, but I do think it was irresponsible to handle it the way she did.”

‘Garage sailors’ walk off with Boulder roommates’ stuff in Craigslist mishap [DailyCamera.com]

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