Last week I wrote about ways to spruce up your home for spring. So now that you've started (and you HAVE started, haven't you?), why not purge your house and garage of “gently used” stuff you no longer need or the new items, such as Christmas, wedding, and birthday presents you never got around to using, and put a little money in your pocket while you’re at it?
It’s something I find myself doing every spring, piecemeal, since I don’t have enough stuff to warrant an actual tag sale. Last year, for example, I sold two new kid’s bicycles on Craigslist that had never been ridden (duplicate gifts from relatives) and rolled the money into new gear bikes for both my girls that we later purchased at a local bike shop.
On Amazon.com, I also sold a never-been-used, insulated gourmet picnic basket that someone gave me (nice thought) that just ended up occupying valuable closet space. (You can sell any item on Amazon that’s already listed there.)
This year, I’m eyeing the high-end Bellini glider that we’ve had since my first daughter was born 11 years ago. The rocker is still in great shape. Since it’s heavy, though, I’ll either list it on Craigslist or as a pick-up item on the niche newcomer site, www.storkbrokers.com since it would be costly and cumbersome to ship. (Storkbrokers keeps 6 percent of the sales price but since it targets new parents, I figure I’m bound to get lots of potential customers.)
Those are three of my favorite sites for selling new or pre-owned household items. (Confession: I’ve never used eBay.) For new items, my asking price is usually half the suggested retail price. For secondhand stuff that’s used but still in decent condition, I take scout around at the competition to find the going rate, then charge a little less. How about you? What’s your favorite site for selling secondhand items? How do you determine what to charge?
mel
06:04:25 PM on Tue Nov 8 2011
I would like to also add to the list and recommend http://tradingcradles.com
Becky
07:14:13 AM on Thu Nov 10 2011
I LOVE Storkbrokers! Great site. Easy to use. Created by a husband and wife team who are parents themselves. I have scored some deals for sure on Storkbrokers and even made a few bucks selling!
Jessie
06:33:59 PM on Mon Feb 20 2012
Thanks for sharing I will have to look into Storkbroker. My favorite site is http://tradingcradles.com they are 100% free and the biggest besides Craigslist.
Sterling Hawkins
03:22:28 PM on Wed Mar 7 2012
Thanks, Sandra, for the great write-up. Always appreciate the great, straightforward advice you provide. Keep up the awesome work!
--Sterling