Ideas/help needed, please

[momxx5]

We have unfortunately run into a financial distress. What are some of the quickest ways to get actual cash?

Does eBay or craigslist work as a new seller?
We cannot have a garage sale this weekend due to the weather.

I have many children's items that have been boxed and are ready for donations, but I need to sell them instead.

This is a temp. situation for possibly one week.

Do toys like Heroscape sell? Old video games? What would you price GameCube games at? Is there a place that would exchange them for cash?

How about clothing? I don't see many things selling on eBay. I have a few pairs of Levi's NWT that do not fit my boys (waist32), how do they sell on the web?

Books? Is there a way for quick cash.

I know I am stretching it in my mind to think a toy is going to save the day, but that is kinda the spot I'm in right now.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Also, a huge THANK YOU to all the budget posters.....this board has given me so many tips along the way. That is priceless!

Thanks in advance.

 

[StephMK]

CL is definitely the fastest way to earn some cash but it still depends on who is out there buying. It's very quick to throw some ads together & see what response you get.

Any used book stores in the areas? That's probably your best bet but prices won't be great. Kids' consignment shop? Line of credit/overdraft account at your bank? Short term loan from family or friend?

 

[friendofgusgus]

Take used video games/CDs/DVDs to a pawn shop if you really are in that kind of need. They'll usually pay just a couple of dollars apiece for them, but you'll be able to get them back if you want to.

Larger items or jewelry will give you more, but you need to be sure than you'll have the cash to get them back.

Sorry you're having such a tough time!

 

[momxx5]

The short term loan is coming by the end of the week, but I'll need some cash in the mean time. Thanks for your ideas.

 

[momxx5]

Thank you for the hug.....I really needed that today.


Is there certain things I should know before heading over to the pawn shop?


PS I have to run and pick up the girls from school so I'll be back in an hour.

Thanks again, and please keep the ideas coming.

 

[kk8273]

I am in a very stressful financial situation myself. I have been so desperate, that I actually went and cashed in all of my cans/bottles from my basement. I collected all my change around the house and cashed that in. I also listed numerous things on ebay. I only listed them for a day, so I could get my cash quickly. Good Luck, I hope things turn around quickly for you.

 

[Evans Family]

What about taking the video games to Game Stop/EB Games? they will give you cash.

Also, can you have a yard sale Friday/Saturday? You can advertise on CL.

 

[Crystal0608]

I've had good luck with Craigslist. Regular gamecube games I would sell for $5 and Mario & more popular ones for $10. Put all in one listing and offer a discount if purchasing all of them. Make sure to include the condition and if it includes the case & instructions For the clothes I would list as a lot grouped by size and sell as one lot for about $1-2 per item for a quick sell.

 

[Kay1]

I would look in the Yellow Pages under both coins and jewelry. Usually there will be ads offering to buy your jewelry. Most people have some old chains or earrings they don't really like. I would sell those, if you have them.

 

[lovepurple]

I have sold a few books on half.com. They were fairly recent titles that I got as gifts, read them, and then sold them.

 

[ceecee]

There are places around here that buy used clothing (consignment shops) check into that.

 

[momxx5]

Thank you for the ideas.

I have an unusual piece of jewelry. It is a braclet, quite heavy with gold elongated beads and then gold brackets holding a pearl, this pattern is repeated.
It was a gift from my great uncle, from when he was in Europe during the war. I believe it is from Italy or Germany. I keep it in a lockbox here at the house. I have never worn it....it was just a thing that I kept because I was given it, gosh 35+ yrs ago.

Do you think I should have it appraised first and then look into selling (or possibly pawning) it. Does it cost to have a piece of jewelry appraised?

I think I'm going to put a few things up on Craigslist tomorrow. The trouble is that I'm not sure which city to list it in. Can you list it in more that one city? We are a small rural town in the sticks, 30 minutes to Raleigh east or 30ish minutes to Winston-Salem to the west.

Also, DH have a rider mover that is in excellent condition. He purchased it at sears yrs ago. We really do not need it at all. At the time we lived in a house that was under 1,000 squ feet but had 1.5 acre back yard and 1 acre front yard. DH push mowed the yard for 2 yrs then we bought a riding mower. Of course that summer be were lucky to get into a larger home, but no where near the size of yard that needs the rider mower. He does the back with it mostly to keep the mower active. With the 3 boys now they all take turns mowing and push moving is good for them.
I think I'll look up the make and model to see what comps are selling for. Maybe that will bring in a couple of hundred dollars. Not sure on the timing of selling it.

Again, thanks for the ideas.

 

[Kay1]

If you can find a jeweler who says they sell, trade, and buy jewelry, yes, they should offer a free appraisal for a single piece. You could call first. The way you described the piece sounds intriguing and I imagine they would be interested. You'd need to be certain to take it in when someone qualified to do appraisals is on duty. It should only take a moment or two. When I had a bracelet repaired, I asked whether the stones were real diamonds (it was a gift) and the jeweler put some glass on his eye, held it to the light, and said yes about 15 seconds later.

I know nothing about pawn shops so I can't help you there. I also know nothing about lawn mowers though my first thought was that maybe the boys could take it and make some quick cash mowing lawns.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Crystal0608]

Raleigh would have a bigger market than Winston. Also, check into joining your local yahoo selling groups- like freecycle but for money.

 

[brockscandy]

My dad is a manager of a pawn shop so I think I can help here a little bit. Please be aware, there are good pawn shops and shady pawn shops. Neither of them can give you the value of any item, whether you pawn or sell it to them. THey have to be able to resale it themselves, even if you pawn. Many people never come back to pick up their pawns. You may take an item in and get $100. Every month you come in, you pay either $10 (or whatever the arrangement is with that shop) or pay the $100 back plus interest. You are paying them to hold it for you. If you don't come back and pay on your date, they are free to set it out and sell your item. My dad usually holds on to the items for several days after the dates, but most places aren't so nice. He still gets griped out by people who come in after not paying for 6 months and want their item and it is gone Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[StephMK]

Just thinking about you & wondered how the ideas worked? Some bargain hunter might jump on a nice mower off season, definitely worth a try. Hope things are going better today.

 

[momxx5]

Thank you for thinking of me. I spent the morning cleaning and finding a few treasures. I think I'll have DS help me post the Craigslist items.

DH's work just laid off 25 people today at the plant. He is in upper management and is not feeling very safe at the present time.

Oh, I also have a few items to take back to Target and I'll get the balance on a GC so I can pick up some items there.

Oh, and yesterday while picking up my prescriptions I got $12 bucks printed at CVS, so that was perfect timing to pick up milk and toothpaste.

Thanks again for asking. You are so kind.

 

[StephMK]

Good luck w/CL! We've always met very nice people. Personally, I don't respond to the ones that can't provide any info, use punctuation or complete sentences. lol Not saying that eliminates all crazies but maybe it helps.

Sorry it's a scary time, hope he makes the cuts.