Would you really refuse to look at a 2 BR that's in your price range? Personally, I always just set a price and then take the best available. I guess if you wanted to pick a configuration and then take the best price, craigslist doesn't help filter much. But the price first approach is also the one every broker I've used took.
You're right. But keyword spam, daily reposting, and generic posts that direct you to another site are bigger offenders that make Craigslist really hard to use.