[runsonmagic]

What is the best way to sell old junk?

I may be getting rid of a bunch of old possessions soon - clothes, books, furniture, appliances - just old stuff I don't need anymore. If I can, I'd like to give them to someone who needs them, and maybe make a couple bucks in the process

Craigslist might work for some items, but you've gotta make a listing of each one. Plus, it might not be the best way to go for books and clothes. Are there some apps or other websites I might not be aware of that could help with this? Suggestions?

[The Beast1]

Ebay was always good for me. It's just a pain in the ass to assemble the shipping.

Craigslist is also good.

If you have a lot of metal and it isn't going anywhere. Taking it to the metal scapper can net you some easy cash.

[Biz]

Both ebay and CL have their place.

Clothes - Ebay
Books - Amazon
Large items (Furniture, appliances, etc.) Craigslist. They pick the items up themselves so you don't have to worry about the hassle.

[dark_g]

I don't know the dynamics of your neighborhood, but gargage sales are popular in my area. With TV shows like Antique Road Show, American Pickers and Storage Wars, everyone is looking for the "next great find". Just pick a weekend, post some craiglist ads, hand out flyers and put out signs. Make sure everything has a price tag on it. You don't have to be to strict on pricing because everyone is going to haggle you down any way. Whatever is leftover from the sale can be donated to Salvation Army. get a reciept and write it off on your taxes.

[dicknixon72]

To underscore what others have said - Craigslist, eBay, and (climate-permitting) garage sales.

[Sebastian]

If it's a nice clothes, then put it on ebay. it will take months to be sold (buy it now) if you want to get the price you want though.

If you take it to vintage stores, they will rape you. On average, I got $3~5 per clothes.

For bigger items, you have to get rid of it locally. it would be pain in the ass since people want to negotiate even if you listed it at rock bottom. I listed this circular saw for $25. this woman called and asked 'would you take $20?' Expect those kind of situations.

[Rawmeo]

Appliances: Craigslist. Be prepared to negotiate; you will never get the price you ask for.

Clothes & other shit: eBay or local garage sale. Craigslist also works.

Don't take stuff to "we buy!" place unless you have money to lose.

[Nemausus]

Earlier this year, I moved overseas so I did my best to get rid of as many possessions as possible.

In my experience, Craigslist type sites work pretty well. You'd be surprised at what you can sell. I was even able to sell my mattress. I only got $40 for it but it sure beats throwing it out for nothing.

Just be prepared to spend some time on emails and dealing with buyers. Expect terrible lowball offers. Be patient, you'll likely get a few emails for each item. Sit back and see who's willing to play ball.

If you live in a city with an active Reddit community, it might be worth posting a message there. I've seen threads dedicated to selling old stuff pop up from time to time in my hometown.

The stuff I wasn't able to sell, I gave away a lot to local my local Salvation Army store. Books, my microwave, board games, some old clothes that I never wore anymore.

[DJ-Matt]

Avoid eBay, they have a new 6 month return policy to fuck over sellers.

[CaptainChardonnay]

Back in highschool I sold a bunch of stuff I simply did not use anymore through craigslist and made a killing. I even sold a used pair of shoes and sometimes made a profit because i'd be able to sell things for more than I bought them.

It taught me how to value things quickly. If they dont sell, lower the price a little and see what happens.

If you want quick sales Craigslist is the way to go and I have sold everything you listed.

[AneroidOcean]

(12-09-2014 11:35 PM)CaptainChardonnay Wrote:  

Back in highschool I sold a bunch of stuff I simply did not use anymore through craigslist and made a killing. I even sold a used pair of shoes and sometimes made a profit because i'd be able to sell things for more than I bought them.

It taught me how to value things quickly. If they dont sell, lower the price a little and see what happens.

If you want quick sales Craigslist is the way to go and I have sold everything you listed.

I agree.

Craig's List for household items is very good. However, some other categories(such as room rentals) can be hit or miss.

I think garage sales are a huge waste of time. Large time investment and people going to garage sales are generally looking to pick stuff up SUPER cheap, whereas on Craig's List sure they may want a deal, but they are actually LOOKING for a specific item, not just browsing around for cheap shit.

I couldn't believe how cheap people were when trying to buy stuff from garage sales. Also, there are a lot of pros that go to every garage sale super early in the morning right when they open to try to snatch up all the good shit for cheap and turn around and sell it. Garage sales suck. The only way they can be reasonably okay is if you get together with neighbors and all have a party/garage sale. This can make it less a pain in the ass.

[Sebastian]

I realized how it's like chasing after girls. You have to figure out how much you want to bend over to sell that shit.

They want to meet by their schedule, they want it only for $XX, they want to just check it out, they want to think about it etc

Those are just upper hand things they have as a buyer.

If you have something popular, then it will go quick (like gopro, iphone) but it's just one of common items, it will take a lot more effort.

[Dr. Howard]

(12-09-2014 06:04 PM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  

Avoid eBay, they have a new 6 month return policy to fuck over sellers.

whaaaat. Elaborate or post links please? I'm an infrequent user but the sellers are already ass raped as it is on complaints. This is even worse.

[YossariansRight]

I've done this twice using Craigslist:

1. Post that you're having a "Moving/Estate Sale". Post this on at least 2 CL sites (your main area and an area next/close to yours). Doubles your exposure.
2. Take pics of both the your best stuff and at least one of "nick-nacky" crap. You're hitting both ends of the market that way.
3. Put a few strategically located lime green poster boards with black and red script up around your street announcing "Moving/Esate Sale on 'x' date, from 'y to z' AM/PM

You should do well. I've done this twice, both cleaning out a house with 3 generations of stuff and for my own home. Works great. You'll be surprised how much interest "junk" gets. When I did my Grandmother's house, the first thing that went were a bunch of old beer bottles and old, broken and rusty hand tools.

Whatever's left over - tax deductible donations.

[DJ-Matt]

PayPal expanding return window to six months

[SlickyBoy]

(12-14-2014 10:31 AM)Dr. Howard Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 06:04 PM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  

Avoid eBay, they have a new 6 month return policy to fuck over sellers.

whaaaat. Elaborate or post links please? I'm an infrequent user but the sellers are already ass raped as it is on complaints. This is even worse.

I've unloaded a basement full of crap on eBay and this is the first I've heard of such a policy. I specify a 14 day return window or nothing at all (depending upon the item). That and Half.com for books (which is an eBay owned site) are pretty good for me - only one return so far; other than that it's like a trash can that pays me money.

Craigslist is good for bulky things that would cost too much to ship but I don't use it much as you get the same kinds of idiots that come by a garage sale and tire-kick.

Some things are of too low value to sell but might still be good for someone else - in that case go to Goodwill and they may take it, especially clothes.

EDIT: Ok, I see they are extending the window for which a buyer can initiate a dispute, not an automatic six month return policy. But still I can see that being abused.

[DJ-Matt]

Yes, and I've been fucked by PayPal even though eBay cleared the case and I was in the right. I just let them neg balance my account and quit using PayPal altogether.

[UnW]

I used Gumtree, eBay, Craigslist and any other classifieds sites I could think of, maybe even word of mouth amongst friends.