Garage Sale or Ebay?

[sconnell]

In December of this year, I will have been married 4 years. Our 2nd child is on the way and we are trying to cut our costs. We have lots of things in storage that we can get rid of. Mostly wedding presents.
We were VERY blessed when we got married. I returned many items, but kept the things that I thought I would use one day or didn't know where to take them back to. Some of them are items I registered for, but I am now a little more aware of my taste and know what I will actually use. (Like the wood salad bowl set, that I thought was cute, but know I will never use because I can't put it in the dishwasher! lol!) Some are very nice items from department stores. Some misc. crystal, I'm not even sure what all is there.
I wouldn't get rid of my fine china or my crystal, but there are things that I know I won't use. Or that I have something I could use instead.
I hate to just have a garage sale, because I know I won't get what the items are worth. I have never sold on Ebay and don't really know much about it. I do know that some of the boxes look tattered, but the items in the box have never been used!
What do ya'll think?

 

[imsayin]

If you have anything of value, Ebay is the way to go. People shopping at garage sales typically don't want to pay $30 for a nice new crystal bowl, they want to pay $2. Ebay shoppers will pay what the item is worth. Try looking up a few items you have on ebay to see what similar items have sold for (hit the complete button on left side of page, then search to see auctions that have closed. I usually do a combo - sell valuable stuff on Ebay and cheaper stuff at a garage sale.

 

[beebumble]

from Imsayin
People want everything for nothing at garage sales. Beware my friend gave away some of her crystal for a wedding present(never out of the box) and it ended up being to the couple who bought it for her 5 years before.
lol

 

[vjc715]

EBAY all the way! We are Power Sellers on Ebay and have managed to do very well at it. As long as you have a digital camera....then you are good to go! Sign up for ebay and PayPal is usually what you also want to sign up for, as more people will want to pay via Paypal instead of a money order.

Good luck!

 

[BrerMom]

"I'll give you 50 cents for that."

Need I say more?

 

[sconnell]

HAHA, BrerMom - I guess you're right. imsayin - those are great tips. Thanks!
How easy is it to sell on ebay though?

 

[BrerMom]

We had our most successful yard sale ever last weekend, but I sure got tired of the people that would offer half of whatever price was listed. I haven't sold anything on e-bay yet, but my sister loves it.

 

[Robinrs]

My last garage sale is the REASON I started eBay! It was a major BOMB! I spent more on the ad I took out in the paper than I made at that darned sale...

Now it's my main source of income! I have to admit, it's not easy or a walk in the park, it's work but well worth it!

 

[jwfla422]

OH YES ROBINRS I'm right there with you!! Our BOMB of a garage sale last November is also what started me with EBAY selling!! I had so much baby stuff and almost nothing sold! (we had a garage sale 2 yrs before and sold almost everything-just couldn't figure it out)--the worst was the thieves!! CAN YOU IMAGINE!! People coming to your home to steal stuff from your driveway, no more of that!!

I agree, I gave up for a month or 2 over the summer, but I list here and there and it's definitely work when you list a lot but if as other posters mentioned if you have items of value...EBAY!!! It's really easy once you learn how!

 

[poohbear2]

I agree. We use to do really well on garage sales however, in the last few years I find people want everything for nothing. I don't blame them for trying but what's fair is fair, right? After saying this, we are going to try another sale at the end of AUGUST, however, I am not going to break down on certain items. If I don't get what I want I will bring them to ebay.