First,
determine value. A search on eBay will tell you if something
is worth big bucks or not. Bear in mind you are seeing Asking
Prices which is an entirely different thing from Sold prices.
eBay:
After checking prices on
eBay,
anything of value and small or easy to ship was listed there.
I often opt for Free Shipping and add the price of the
shipping into the starting price.
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Check eBay for the
Seller's Fee Schedule. Items started at $9.99 pay one fee.
Ask one cent more ($10) and your fee is higher.
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If there are
twenty-five or even ten of the same item listed on eBay, do
not waste your time and resources listing. Yours probably
will not sell and you must pay fees to post it on eBay.
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Instead, opt for
Craigslist.
Craigslist: It is free, so what's not to
like? Pick the nearest big city to your location and list on
that
Craigslist.
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Have at least one
picture and hopefully more for each item you want to sell
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Only accept cash and
have someone at your place with you at trading time. Better
still, meet in a nearby diner/fast food joint.
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Anything can be listed
but do be careful that you place your item in the proper
category.
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Do not list a book in
garden equipment. And do not bother to list that garden
encyclopedia set you paid $$$ for. It is not worth the paper
it was printed on.
Yard Sales: Anything you cannot sell via
eBay or Craigslist might just sell at a yard or garage sale.
Make sure everything is priced. Carry your money with you. No
one goes into your home and keep it locked - including the
back door.
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Have a box of free stuff
for kidlets to play with and take home.
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Offer cold water ($1 per
bottle or two for a buck) -- it is summertime and you will
sell water.
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And drag everything you
do not want outside. Even if you only get $5 for that $100
statue, if you do not love the dust collector, why would you
want to keep it? Value is determined by the purchaser.
The whole idea is to transfer
your clutter to them and have them
pay you perfectly good money for it. Anything is better than nothing.
Freecycle:
I love
Freecycle. You describe something (pictures or not -- that
does not make a difference) and then someone will write you an
email saying "I want that". The next step is to set up a time
when they will come by and pick-up your unwanted item.
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Please DO NOT give to the
first person who responds. Wait and pick from among the many
letters you'll receive. Someone who says more than "I'll take
it" might be a good choice.
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The Freecycle Rule is
that if you accept anything you are not to sell it. Some
folks do not take that as gospel. Just be aware.
Church charities and veterans
organizations are usually a great
option. Drop off your clean but unwanted items there and make
a difference in someone else's life. You will not make money,
however the tax deductible statement might be useful.
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And for certain whomever ends up with your
items will need them.
It feels good to share.