De-cluttering time: How much is it worth??

[SandrA9810]

I see so many people that are happy and giddy with delight over cleaning up and clearing out. And I've been trying, but I have a hard time donating things to Goodwill, when A) I know how much money I've spent on it, and B) I could get something for it. Or it's things that I know will not be accepted at a thrift store, but there's got to be some sort of use for recycling it, without just tossing it in the dumpster.

So post things that you'd like to craig's list/yard sale. And other can respond with how much it should be priced at.

1. Rigid 5gal shop vac. Bought one for us, and a second for my mother, but my sis already has one. It's used and just needs a cleaning.
2. An old Somma water bed. Unlike other waterbeds with one big bladder... this one has 8 individual tubes that set inside a foam insert, with a second foam topper that makes it look like a regular mattress. The top part is well worn and a bit uncomfy on one side, but the rest of it is still in good condition.
3. Ryobi tools. There's a hand circ saw, drill, and light. Again duplicate buy for my mother for fixing her old trailer. So we have the battery/charger for it too. If anything it's been barely used.
4. Stuffed animals... Do they even sell on craig's list?? Or just goodwill it?

Thanks in Advance

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

tools are a good seller, something you can probally get good money for. I know I always scour CL for cheap or free tools.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

This is such a COOL idea! We are having a garage sale on Saturday (my first one as an "adult") and I have no idea what to charge for big items!

Okay, here we go...

A big couch, prob. about 5 years old, no stains, gray and green striped soft fabric, in pretty good condition, long enough for my 5'10" boyfriend to sleep on comfortably.

A blue (yes, bright blue) vintage couch, made in NYC I believe in the 1950's. 2 pieces, one is straight and the other curved. There is a rip on one side of one cushion, and a stain on one arm. It's a really cool looking couch, though..in very good condition for it's age, and I'm guessing could probably bring some money at an auction or something.

Some random lamps (that work)...price ideas?

Clothing? New (with tags), in good condition but used? Women's sizes?

Small wooden and particle board bookcases, about 3 feet tall.

Random posters in frames, some plastic, some glass.

Thanks to everyone...I'd love any ideas on prices!

 

[NVDisMom]

Have you considered Freecycle? I have seen some of the strangest things given away and happily taken on Freecycle.

That being said, if you are willing to put in the time to Craigslist something, then go for it. We've actually sold quite a few things on there. A few bucks is always better than nothing. Do a quick search for like items and see what others are selling for and price accordingly. I think 1/2 of retail is usually a fair place to start, especially with your tools and shop vac (maybe preclean that).

I love it when I spend time decluttering in January. I always feel so accomplished!

 

[QVCshopper]

My parents have a clutter problem, so I try hard to not have one... To me, my space is worth far more than what I spent on something. So, I donate what I can, and freecycle the rest. Throwing out is my last option. And I also try VERY hard to NOT buy unneccessary things in the first place. And to not just take everything given to me. It's tough, but worth it.

Plus, I like buying things at the Goodwill, which is a great way to recycle and help the environment, all while saving money. That way, if I didn't spend much, I don't mind sending it right back when I'm done.

Stuffed animals won't get you much $--just donate them. I can pick them up at Goodwill for 25 cents. I once got a FlatOut bear (retails for $50) for a quarter. Love it!

 

[minnie1928]

I give stuffed animals to my dog. He's not a chewer, he just likes something to chase after and shake. On a related note, I think animal shelters take used pillows/blankets for the animals. Call your local shelter to confirm.

 

[StephMK]

Another idea for stuffed animals is to donate them to a retirement home. My g-ma gets them as bingo prizes at her nursing facility.

At the one yard sale I tried to hold (never again!), a lady came by from a home looking for animals to give to residents. I gave her what I had knowing that in another state, my g-ma really enjoys them too so I was glad to pass them along.

 

[left210]

You can also give stuffed animals to your local police dept.

 

[auroralark]

I've had many, many garage sales over the past few years, and I'm always decluttering! (In fact I have a plastic tub full of stuff I'm looking to get rid of right now...)

I wouldn't bother trying to sell stuffed animals. Unless they're brand new with tags (even then...) they don't really sell. I'd just donate them.

I've had good luck selling woman's clothes - even through eBay (especially if they're brand name clothes.) What you can charge really depends on the label/new or used/and what kind of clothing item it is. When you're selling clothes at a garage sell, I definitely recommend hanging stuff up if you can. People don't seem to like to dig through bins.

As for the bookshelves...DH and I bought 2 particle board bookshelves - big ones like 6 feet tall - for like $7. I think they were originally from Walmart, and they were in pretty good condition. I thought we got a good deal on those.

It's hard to suggest prices without seeing things...but I tend to price things a little higher than I'd like to get for the item. Most people tend to bargain when buying something at a garage sale or via Craigslist.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well looks like the stuffed animals will get a tossing into the washing machine. My dog has no interest in any toys what-so-ever, just mommy. As she's laying here curled at my feet. Thank God too, cause I have quite a few very special stuffed animals I would be forever mad at her if she ever destroyed.

To the previous poster:
The lamps I probably would pay about 10$ for. If it's something that's still in stock at a local shop, go for about 1/2 or less of the price.
The couches you might be able to get a 100$ for. I don't know about the vintage one. Have you tried looking up the maker to see if it has any value?

The bookcase, maybe 5$ or something. Now if it was real wood you could get away with 30$ or more. I bought a really really nice book shelf made of real wood from the salvation army store for 70$, best purchase ever.

The frames, sell them as frames, not as posters. They just get a lucky bonus with it. You could probably start at 20$ or so, if it's large poster size.
The clothing, you could try a consignment shop, especially if it's name brand stuff.

It really is harder to sell stuff living in an apartment. I would love to have a yard sale to clear some of it out. And it'd be nice cause I'd have bigger items to draw people in, and then they can see the little knick-knack stuff that probably wouldn't get sold on craig's list.


And yes, I'll be cleaning out the shop vacs. I don't think there's anything growing or living in them, and I'll sell the nicer looking of the two. They still have all the pieces (no need for two sets). But it is a pain to do without having a hose outside to do it with.
I'd love to sell the second bedroom set we have, but our room-mate is currently using the dresser and nightstand, and I'm sure the pieces would be sold better all together including the headboard/frame.

We really could use the money, and while I love shopping at the Salvation Army store, and I feel good when I donate, I'd feel a little better having cash in my hands. And there's also not enough income/taxes to do an itemized deduction to get anything from the donations... even if it's valued at like 600$.

 

[talulabelle]

Thow out the stuffed animals. If Goodwill won't even take something there is a reason for it. They can't be washed, they are full of dust mites and no one wants someone elses. It's like buying a used pillow or mattress. Ick. Would you want to buy used stuff animals for your child at a yard sale? No one else wants to either. Don't think about how much you paid for it. They served their time, they worked off their cost. A child must have enjoyed them enough to justify their purchase. Now if you don't want them, they no longer have value. Toss them, enjoy your space.

 

[SandrA9810]

I've never had a problem with putting them in a washer, gentle cycle. All the stuffed animals I'm giving away were ones I got when I was older, and so thier purpose was to set on a shelf, not be played with or drooled on. Although Mr Bear gets the occasional drool at night....

And I've bought a few stuffed animals over the years at Salvation Army. Usually ones like old Care Bears or Snowflake teddy to complete a collection.

I'd love to give them to an animal shelter, of course I'd have to seperate out the ones with beanies in the middle.

Any value for sheet sets? We're more of flannel and jersey people, so regular sheets just don't go anymore. Plus we have a ton of flannel sets, so no more room for any other kind, thanks to 75% off after christmas clearance... Gotta love holiday packaging on every day items.

BTW, this whole topic was created for the purpose of putting a price tag on an item. We all know of Goodwill and other places that accept donations. Like I said previously, I'd rather try to sell it first instead of just giving it away.

 

[mafibisha]

My parents have a clutter problem, so I try hard to not have one... To me, my space is worth far more than what I spent on something. So, I donate what I can, and freecycle the rest. Throwing out is my last option. And I also try VERY hard to NOT buy unneccessary things in the first place. And to not just take everything given to me. It's tough, but worth it.

Plus, I like buying things at the Goodwill, which is a great way to recycle and help the environment, all while saving money. That way, if I didn't spend much, I don't mind sending it right back when I'm done.

Stuffed animals won't get you much $--just donate them. I can pick them up at Goodwill for 25 cents. I once got a FlatOut bear (retails for $50) for a quarter. Love it!

As an aside, and serious question. Your screen name is QVC Shopper, so I take it you do a lot of shopping there? Just wondering because I heard on Thanksgiving from a cousin that its really getting to be a better place to shop.

 

[plummer925]

One other thing to consider: What is your TIME worth? Sure - you can take the time to take photos, list on Craigslist, answer emails, hope for someone to show up, or list on ebay, pay fees and make a few dollars. But how much TIME have you put into making a few dollars? When I list something on ebay or craigslist, I have to get a minimum of $25 for it because of time and fees. I estimate on ebay it takes me about 1/2 hour to an hour per item listed (with setting it up for photos, taking the photos, listing the item, answering emails, packing the item, etc) - not including the 10 minute drive each way to the post office.

I have NOT had good luck with Craigslist - at all. Of all the things I've listed (50+!) I have sold ONE!

Even Freecycle takes time and effort of answering emails and waiting for people to show up - I don't freecycle unless i have a huge bunch of things I'm getting rid of, then I list in one listing (to save myself typing - they do not all go to one person) and have one or two days (certain hours) I'm available and if it's still here after that off to Goodwill I go.

I figure that with Goodwill, I shop there and want to find nice things, so I need to GIVE nice things too. Makes sense, right? If everyone stopped giving nicer things to Goodwill (and I'm NOT talking high-value, but nicer clothing, etc) then Goodwill would be all junk - as it is, its sometimes hard to find the good things amongst the bad.

To me, my time is valuable, and it's so much easier to fill a box and take it to Goodwill.

Another thing - I'm quite the procrastinator -I'll leave a box or two of things in my office to list on Craigslist or ebay and won't get to it for a month or so...which just adds to the clutter.

And as for yard sales - WAY too much work for the little bit of money - HOURS AND HOURS pricing things (I personally will walk from a yardsale with no prices - it really bothers me that I have to ASK for the price of something, so I make sure everything I sell is marked), tiem to make signs, put up signs, set up, sit there in the hot sun (or cold wind!!! - it never seems to be a neutral day when I have had yardsales!) for 7-8 hours to make $200. No thanks. Not when I've just invested 20-30 hours into it. Not worth my time - plus it takes up MY yardsale time (I LOVE to yardsale - I don't buy much, but sometimes do find one thing a weekend that I must have...lol).

I pray I did not offend anyone!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I've never had a problem with putting them in a washer, gentle cycle. All the stuffed animals I'm giving away were ones I got when I was older, and so thier purpose was to set on a shelf, not be played with or drooled on. Although Mr Bear gets the occasional drool at night....

And I've bought a few stuffed animals over the years at Salvation Army. Usually ones like old Care Bears or Snowflake teddy to complete a collection.

I'd love to give them to an animal shelter, of course I'd have to seperate out the ones with beanies in the middle.

Any value for sheet sets? We're more of flannel and jersey people, so regular sheets just don't go anymore. Plus we have a ton of flannel sets, so no more room for any other kind, thanks to 75% off after christmas clearance... Gotta love holiday packaging on every day items.

BTW, this whole topic was created for the purpose of putting a price tag on an item. We all know of Goodwill and other places that accept donations. Like I said previously, I'd rather try to sell it first instead of just giving it away.

I "dry clean" our stuffed animals. I use an off brand dry cleaner sheet ( a couple of bucks) in our dryer. I can usually clean about 5 or a few more at the same time. I try to stick to similar colors, just in case. It works fine for us.

 

[SandrA9810]

I forgot about those dry cleaner things. I'll have to take a look into them. Some of them might need a bit of spot treatment, but most should be fairly clean.

And I get that donating is much easier and less time consuming and all that other stuff. But some of do want to go through the hassle of taking pictures... uploading... writing descriptions... emailing... waiting for some one to show up. And at 200-300$ for a yard sale... that's a whole weeks worth of pay in Florida. And you only have to spend one day outside for like 5hrs, maybe two days... way better than 5 or 6 days outside for 10hrs.

Any case... this topic seems to be getting way off track. And I also think that other donation organizations should me mentioned that could really use some thing. Goodwill/Salvation Army already have stores jammed full of stuff.

 

[Purseval]

1. Rigid 5gal shop vac. Bought one for us, and a second for my mother, but my sis already has one. It's used and just needs a cleaning.

Go to a store, see what it sells for or check online. Price it at half that then be prepared to take another half off if it doesn't sell. So if you see it sells for $100, ask $50 and be willing to settle for $25. that shouldn't be too hard to sell.

2. An old Somma water bed. Unlike other waterbeds with one big bladder... this one has 8 individual tubes that set inside a foam insert, with a second foam topper that makes it look like a regular mattress. The top part is well worn and a bit uncomfy on one side, but the rest of it is still in good condition.

Practically worthless. Dream up a price then take whatever is offered.

3. Ryobi tools. There's a hand circ saw, drill, and light. Again duplicate buy for my mother for fixing her old trailer. So we have the battery/charger for it too. If anything it's been barely used.

Same as the vac but hold out, tools are great sellers. If someone comes to you first thing in the morning and tries to lowball you tell them to forget it. Odds are that person is a professional bottom feeder and all they will do is resell it for more money.

4. Stuffed animals... Do they even sell on craig's list?? Or just goodwill it?

I see people buy stuffed animals all the time. We bought 15 of those mini beanie babies that MacDonald's was giving out just last week, still in the plastic for 10 cents each. We also buy beanie babies with the tags still on them for 50 cents to $1 each. We turn right around and put them in the Toys for Tots box. A nice stufffed animal without a tag on it could get a dollar or 2. Name brands like Gund do better but not much better.

Thanks in Advance

Good luck. We go to yard sales every friday and saturday practically year round, many hundreds of homes per year. We also have lots of huge neighborhood sales where we can hit a hundred homes in a day. We will be out at 7:30am tomorrow. For us it's just fun to look. We aren't dealers but we know all the regulars and what they pay.

 

[talulabelle]

One other thing to consider: What is your TIME worth? Sure - you can take the time to take photos, list on Craigslist, answer emails, hope for someone to show up, or list on ebay, pay fees and make a few dollars. But how much TIME have you put into making a few dollars? When I list something on ebay or craigslist, I have to get a minimum of $25 for it because of time and fees. I estimate on ebay it takes me about 1/2 hour to an hour per item listed (with setting it up for photos, taking the photos, listing the item, answering emails, packing the item, etc) - not including the 10 minute drive each way to the post office.

I have NOT had good luck with Craigslist - at all. Of all the things I've listed (50+!) I have sold ONE!

Even Freecycle takes time and effort of answering emails and waiting for people to show up - I don't freecycle unless i have a huge bunch of things I'm getting rid of, then I list in one listing (to save myself typing - they do not all go to one person) and have one or two days (certain hours) I'm available and if it's still here after that off to Goodwill I go.

I figure that with Goodwill, I shop there and want to find nice things, so I need to GIVE nice things too. Makes sense, right? If everyone stopped giving nicer things to Goodwill (and I'm NOT talking high-value, but nicer clothing, etc) then Goodwill would be all junk - as it is, its sometimes hard to find the good things amongst the bad.

To me, my time is valuable, and it's so much easier to fill a box and take it to Goodwill.

Another thing - I'm quite the procrastinator -I'll leave a box or two of things in my office to list on Craigslist or ebay and won't get to it for a month or so...which just adds to the clutter.

And as for yard sales - WAY too much work for the little bit of money - HOURS AND HOURS pricing things (I personally will walk from a yardsale with no prices - it really bothers me that I have to ASK for the price of something, so I make sure everything I sell is marked), tiem to make signs, put up signs, set up, sit there in the hot sun (or cold wind!!! - it never seems to be a neutral day when I have had yardsales!) for 7-8 hours to make $200. No thanks. Not when I've just invested 20-30 hours into it. Not worth my time - plus it takes up MY yardsale time (I LOVE to yardsale - I don't buy much, but sometimes do find one thing a weekend that I must have...lol).

I pray I did not offend anyone!

Amen, Amen, AMen!!!!! You nailed it!!!! I know the purpose of the thread is to put a price on items...but that is exactly what it is all about, putting a price on your time. You and your time are worth SO much more than working hard over pennies. I figure out what my time is worth. I'm an at home mom now, but I value my time at what I would be getting payed per hour if I was working in my old field. Time when the family is home, is worth even more. There is no way I can make a fraction of what my time is worth selling used stuff in any manner. Yard sale, ebay, craigs list etc. I used to try to do these things trying to be frugal and I was overwhelmed with junk, because there were piles of things waiting to get their last penny squeazed out of them. and after finding FLylady.com and learningto re-think the clutter, I am a born-again housekeeper. I just give it away, even if it has value. If you bless someone else with it, you will be blessed back in another way. Take it to goodwill, or Salvation Army, don't think about it ever again. Be free of your clutter. So it has value. Why can't you give that value to another who needs it? Why do you have to get the last pennies out of it? You and your time are worth more. That time could be spent doing something you love, being with people you love, life is SHORT, don't get bogged down over the little stuff that doesn't matter.

 

[Purseval]

Amen, Amen, AMen!!!!! You nailed it!!!! I know the purpose of the thread is to put a price on items...but that is exactly what it is all about, putting a price on your time.

(snip)

That time could be spent doing something you love, being with people you love, life is SHORT, don't get bogged down over the little stuff that doesn't matter.

I don't want to be the first to break this to you, but there is a recession going on and a lot of people are selling their excess stuff because they actually need those pennies. It matters quite a bit to them.

 

[SandrA9810]

Thank you purseval. That's exactly what I mean. For all those that are great yard sale bargian hunters, there's gotta be some one on the other side to sell the stuff. And while some of you... most on here anyways, seem to have families and such that need time and attention to, but not all of us do. I really do think spending maybe 15-30mins trying to sell a shop vac for 30$ is well worth my effort. That's nearly a whole tank of gas or a weeks worth of food.

I created this topic, for those great bargain hunters to give their opinion on what they would pay for a used item, and for newbie yard sellers/craig lister/ebayer to price the items at.

Now back to the topic...
What do I do with company logo shirts?? Kari's father gave her a bunch of collared shirts after he retired. She was working at home depot and always had to have a collar. But now that she's at Disney, and wears a costume provided to her, we really don't need all these shirts. But he told us we can't just give them away, because some one could impersonate an employee, and that would be bad. Any ideas on what to do with shredded shirts?