Cleaning out - Ebay, Craiglist, or Yard Sale?

[ferrytale]

I am SO in the mood for spring cleaning and getting rid of a ton of things that we don't use anymore. Hoping to put the extra $ towards our anniversary trip to WDW.
I have a bunch of different things that I want to sell, and am not sure if I would do better putting it on Craigslist or Ebay? How difficult is it to get set up on ebay as a seller? Right now, I know I have some Partylite pieces, baby stuff, and Hot wheels sets. I know I'll have more, but right now those are the 3 areas I am working on cleaning out this weekend.
Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks!

 

[GJM]

I seem to get more money by selling on Craigslist, then a yard sale. I just sold a bunch of different things on Craigslist, but they were bigger items. I may try putting some of my DS clothes on. You have nothing to lose by trying, it is free to post.

I also have a bunch of stuff for my annual yard sale!

 

[*Seanaci*]

I would also suggest Craigslist over a yard sale or ebay. With ebay you have to factor in shipping charges (which can get costly depending on what you are selling).

That being said, if you have a TON of stuff, consider a yard sale as you might sell it more quickly.

And if all else fails, post bigger items on Craigslist for sale...and consider just donating smaller items (that you may only get a few bucks for).

Good luck! We did our "spring" cleaning last month...and my room has never stayed cleaner for such a long period of time.

 

[mhconley]

If you have lot's of lower valued items - yard sale. Items you don't want to or cannot ship - Craigslist. Anything of higher value and shipable - eBay. Donate the rest...

eBay will get you the most money for an item. Craigslist people tend to lowball and don't even think of selling anything of value at a yard sale.

I've successfully used all three. We downsized substantially before our last move.

Martin

 

[NewCrew42]

I just tried to seel the Navigation disc for my GPS on eBay and it didn't sell. Hope you have better luck!

 

[Mixie]

Skip eBay.

10 years ago I would have said go for it - but eBay has changed now. Everyone knows about it, has an account, and expects to get top stuff for dirt cheap.

I would suggest a yard sale if you have a large amount of small items - craigslist for larger items (furniture, etc) - and only eBay things that you know are collectable and will sell (you can research your items on eBay by choosing Advanced Search and checking the box marked completed listings to see if any have been sold in the last 30 days and how much they went for).

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

I have found that we save a ton more money on our taxes if we donate to charity and itemize our deductions. It's a heck of a lot easier and faster than ebay, craigslist, or yard sale! The amount it reduces my tax owed is a lot more than I could ever earn at any of those places. I use Turbo Tax for my taxes and it allows me to use itesdeductible.com to keep track and value my donations and then it downloads directly to my return at Turbo Tax.

 

[sweetdana]

Craigslist.

You will get less than Ebay, but no shipping, local, free, and easy..
...You will get many scams though them so if it looks to good.. pass.

 

[ferrytale]

I have found that we save a ton more money on our taxes if we donate to charity and itemize our deductions. It's a heck of a lot easier and faster than ebay, craigslist, or yard sale! The amount it reduces my tax owed is a lot more than I could ever earn at any of those places. I use Turbo Tax for my taxes and it allows me to use itesdeductible.com to keep track and value my donations and then it downloads directly to my return at Turbo Tax.

I typically do donate most stuff - clothes, smaller things, but I have some nicer stuff that I want to try to get the cash for since whatever I donate now I can't deduct until next year. I don't have a lot of big things, so I think craigslist might bust, but who knows. Guess it's mostly timing - gotta hope someone is looking for what you are selling when you are selling it!

I looked on EBay last night and a couple of the Partylite pieces that I was going to sell are listed REALLY high! The one 3 piece set I was hoping to get maybe $20-$25 for is on there for $60! Guess I need to do some more research on some things so I don't sell them too low, although I'm not looking to get a fortune for things. Hmmm...gonna go see what else I have and how much they are going for on craigslist/ebay to get pricing ideas.

Thanks all!

 

[Whistle]

I would say ebay for the Partylite (as name brands go well)-- if you are happy with 25.00, start it at 30.00 (plus shipping) and let the bidding war begin-- good pics are VERY important.

The smaller things I would craigslist or look for a consignment sale in your area.

Donate the rest ...

 

[SOnotLayuh]

We've also had our best luck with Craigslist.

 

[QVCshopper]

Where would you sell Coach purses? I have a small suede one and matching wristlet, as well as a fabric smaller one. I've never sold anything, but they are in great shape and hardly used. Bought new at the Coach outlet. Too good for Goodwill...

 

[abolanwoski]

Consignment shops.

If you live in or near a decent sized city, you can make more than a yard sale with less hassle than Ebay/Craig's List.

Try to find specialty ones for things like kids stuff and designer clothes/bags - you'll get more.

Also, try to find one that pays you AFTER the item sells (a % of the take), not one that gives you a fixed amount when you consign. They always underpay - HEAVILY to make up for the stuff that doesn't sell.

 

[Mixie]

I looked on EBay last night and a couple of the Partylite pieces that I was going to sell are listed REALLY high! The one 3 piece set I was hoping to get maybe $20-$25 for is on there for $60! Guess I need to do some more research on some things so I don't sell them too low, although I'm not looking to get a fortune for things. Hmmm...gonna go see what else I have and how much they are going for on craigslist/ebay to get pricing ideas.

Thanks all!

Listing price is one thing - you really have to check completed items to see if that is selling. Lots of things can be listed - not all of them sell. True value can only be determined on eBay by looking at what sold.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I'm actually going to go against the grain here. I've been selling A LOT of stuff on ebay lately, and getting more money for it than at a rummage/yard sale. All of my things are name brand- lots of kids clothing from Children's place, gap, gymboree, Disney...all that stuff goes really well on ebay. And, I don't care about the 'fees' because I'm still making more money on my things than I would at a rummage sale. Don't get me wrong. I have a rummage sale almost every year, but for most people in our area, shirts and shorts or pants won't go for more than 50 cents or $1...which is a good price for rummage sale/yard sale...on ebay those same things are going for $3 or $4. I've never got into craigslist, because a local friend of mine had horrible luck with it and had a person following her for two weeks because they met her in a parking lot to pick something up from her...he'd sit out in front of her house and she never even gave him her address, he just followed her home. AND to her job. Scary and NOT FOR ME!!! Ok, it doesn't happen to everyone, or even to many people. But just knowing that it happens OCCASSIONALLY makes me not want to ever get involved with Craigslist.

 

[Mixie]

Where would you sell Coach purses? I have a small suede one and matching wristlet, as well as a fabric smaller one. I've never sold anything, but they are in great shape and hardly used. Bought new at the Coach outlet. Too good for Goodwill...

Used hardly sells for much - try the consignment idea instead for used Coach.