We’ve been in our new house for about 3 months now, and we’ve finally settled into a place that feels like ours. While we can appreciate all of the extra storage we now have available (and believe me, we have DEFINITELY taken advantage of that), all of the “stuff” we’ve acquired has become painfully obvious to me. Instead of shoving things in closets, we’ve started to sort everything out into SELL, DONATE, AND THROW AWAY piles, and if you know me, you’re already thinking that the pile of things to be sold is my favorite. Why? Not to toot my own horn, but my husband has declared me the “Queen of Craigslist.” I’ve developed a real knack for passing on our possessions for a profit. Almost all of the new things we’ve purchased for our home have been bought with money we gained from selling our old belongings. Plenty of practice has taught me a few lessons along the way, and I’ll share them with you here in the hopes that you’ll also make more room in your house and find more cash in your pockets.
What can I sell? You can literally sell just about anything as long as someone out there is willing to buy it. I’ve sold things like clothing, purses, jewelry, furniture, phones, computers, and cars. I even sold my wedding dress! You’re more likely to sell if the item is in-demand (my Coach bags always shipped out within a day), but don’t let that hold you back. If you’re looking to sell current (probably not vintage) collectors’ items, I would say be wise. If it’s not likely to increase in value over the next year, get rid of it while it’s worth something. I always think back to the tragic Beanie Baby saga – I had some that people were actually willing to pay hundreds of dollars for, and we kept them with the hopes that we could get even more in the future. And now? They’re stored in bins in my attic, and I doubt they’re even worth the original sticker price. If you’re willing to part with it, get rid of it! *Disclaimer: do some research before selling any vintage collectibles or antiques – some of them can be worth serious cash now, or even more later!
Where can I sell it? I’ve had the most success selling items online on sites like Craigslist. My employer also has an “internal Craigslist” of sorts that allows employees to post items for sale that are only visible to others within our corporation. Flea markets are another great option. My parents clean out our family home every spring and take everything we put aside throughout the year, and they spend a few Saturday and Sunday mornings camped out and ready to haggle prices. Very rarely do they bring anything back home. If you have enough stuff that you’d like to get rid of, you might even consider having a yard sale. Team up with a friend or neighbor to help attract a larger audience, and your odds of sales will increase.*If you’ve sold an item online and you’re meeting someone in person to make the transaction, always meet in a public place, and take a friend if you can. I’ve always done this and never had an issue, but there are some real crazies out there. Beware!
How much can I make? Remember that you probably won’t get face value, or even close to it, when you’re re-selling old things, but in the end, you’ll have more than you started with. I usually do a quick Google search for similar items and what they cost in brand-new condition, and then I price my items accordingly based on their age and any visible wear and tear. I tend to start with a higher asking price than what I’m hoping to make, just because that leaves a little extra room for negotiating. If I don’t get any hits, I lower my price over time. My final asking price is really determined by how badly I want to get rid of an item, in which case you’d price to sell.
Getting rid of old belongings is a great way to declutter and make a little extra money. Have you ever tried your hand at it? What are some of the craziest or most unexpected things you’ve sold?
