You've been looking around the house thinking that there are more than a few things that you would like to get rid of (and you would like to make some money as well). A garage sale seems to be the easiest way to do it but will you actually make any money from the time and effort that you put into it?
While garage sale can be a great way to make some extra cash there are several other ways of selling off your stuff and making more money that you thought you could.
You have to be realistic in what you have and if other people actually want your stuff.
Rule # 1. It has to be clean and in reasonable condition. You wouldn't want to buy anything that was filthy dirty so why would you expect anyone else to. If you are selling clothes then they should be cleaned and ironed and if you can't iron them at least they should be folded nicely so they don't get more wrinkles . If you are selling anything that has come in contact with food, like dishes or pots and pans, they should not have any food stains on them. Glass ware, whether is be vases or cologne bottles, should sparkle, no dust or dirt. Electronics, which tend to be real dust catchers, should be wiped clean. You might be selling a great item that people just won't recognize if its dirty.
Rule #2 It shouldn't smell. You would think that was clean and in reasonable condition it wouldn't smell but it you are a smoker then to a non-smoker it will have a very unpleasant odor. If you have stored things in a musty basement they will also pick up an unpleasant odor. Sometimes just cleaning the item will get rid of the smell but other times, if you are dealing with paper, wood or other things that can absorb smells, then you might have to air them out for a long time and spray them with a odor remover.
Rule #3 You should know exactly what you are selling. I bought a pearl necklace worth over $1500 for under a dollar because the seller just assumed that it was costume jewelry. Every spring and summer I buy sterling silver jewelry for as little as 10 cents because people have not taken the time to see if the "junk" jewelry they are selling at their garage sale is worth anything. On the flip side of this I have had to point out countless time to people who are insisting that the items they are selling as antique, are not. One woman was furious when I told her, that her "antique" serving platters were anything but, I flipped them over and showed her stamped on back- "Microwave Safe'. Especially if you are selling off other people's items don't assume you know what they are. You might think that grandma had horrible taste and that those ugly pink flower vases aren't worth more than a quarter each, but a antique dealer will snap them up in a second recognizing that they are art glass from the 1930's. Never assume and do some research.
Rule #4 Be realistic on how much you will probably get for it especially anything electronic. Yes you paid a whole whack of cash for it 5 years ago but now its considered so old it's almost obsolete. It doesn't matter what it was worth then, it matters what it is worth now.
Rule # 5 Don't lie. It's bad karma to lie about something and it might get you involved in a law suit. If you know the item is recalled then don't try to sell it. If you know that the item is not safe, then don't try to sell it. If you know the item is permanently stained, then don't tell them that a quick wash will get it looking new again. Follow the golden rule and treat them as you would like to be treated.
You have several choices on how you are going to sell off your stuff and you might want to use different ways to sell different things. If you have a garage sale and the rocking chair doesn't sell then consider trying something else.
Garage Sales- Haul out your chattel to the drive way, hang out a sign and wait for the masses to snap up you stuff ..... well, maybe. A good garage sale is one that is organized from the moment you think about doing it. Go through your house with a fine tooth comb and as you decide on each item to sell put a price sticker on it then and there and set it aside. Pricing it from the get go will save you tons of time and you will be able to research any items that you think might have any value. The pricing tends to be 30% to 45% of the original value depending on the demand. Large children's toys that are in excellent condition, such as sand boxes might make more, especially if you were to tape on them a picture from a catalog with it's original price plus tax. Garage sales can be great if you have a huge mix of stuff, some old, some new, some kids stuff and some electronics. The down side is the weather might ruin the day or everyone is looking for the stuff you don't have. At the end of the day you might be hauling it all back into the house. Advertise extensively and have a back up plan for anything that doesn't sell.
Consignment Stores- There are consignment stores for almost any type of merchandise, from sporting goods, to children's items, to woman's clothes. Go through the phone book and call them ahead of time to find out what they will and will not accept. These stores generally will ask you to book an appointment for them to look through your stuff. Consignment stores are very seasonal so don't think that they will take your skis in the middle of summer, they might ask you to come back in a few months. Clothing stores can be very particular with what they will or will not take, you can't be offended if one store is not interested in what you have, it just might not fit the clientele that they have. Try another consignment shop, but if the second one tell you the same thing then try another option.
Antique Stores and Vintage Stores-- Depending on how they are run they might take your items on consignment or buy it outright.Putting them on consignment might get you more money in the end as the store will take a portion of the selling price but doesn't have to use their own cash to stock their shelves.
Online Classified Ads- Craig's List and Kijiji are two of the most popular on-line classified sites. This is a great option for larger items like furniture and cars but also will work well if you have a collection of items like tools or you are selling many similar items together like children's clothes. You definitely need a digital camera to download photos of what you are selling and you have to practice sensible safety practices when meeting with strangers. If at all possible have another person with you when meeting with the buyer and have the item in an outside area like your garage
Auction Houses There are a lot of different types of auction houses, some do only deal with high end pricey antiques while others will happily take anything that you want to give them. Go on their websites to see if you have a good fit with what you want to sell. (For more information on how Auction Houses work read How to Buy at a Live Auction). Make sure that you understand how an auction works and how much they will take in auction fees.
Ebay - Probably the most recognized on line auction site in North America. You will have to set up an account with them and an account with Pay Pal as well. You will need a digital camera to post photos. This is a great option is you happen to have odd collectibles and you need a large audience to get the best price.Though the collectible market has taken a crash in the down turn of the economy this still might be your best bet. (For more information on selling collectibles read What's My Collection Worth?) There is lots of information out there on how to sell on Ebay and what to be careful of. In some larger cities there are business that will do all the work for you. You bring your items to them, they appraise what they think it should sell for and place it on Ebay for you. You will pay them a fee for the service but since they also ship it out for you it is a time saver.
On-line Stores-Specialty stores that specialize in very specific items often buy from the public. Be it vintage nylons or sterling silverware, there is a site out there that sells it. Contact them to see if they are interested in what you have.
There are several way that you can sell your unwanted items but it will take some time and effort to get the best price. The last bit of advice is don't forget the oldest method of all, word of mouth. You should mention to family and friends items that you have for sale, while they might not be interested in buying your Kayak they might know someone who is.
Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2010
Morestylethancash
Rule # 1. It has to be clean and in reasonable condition. You wouldn't want to buy anything that was filthy dirty so why would you expect anyone else to. If you are selling clothes then they should be cleaned and ironed and if you can't iron them at least they should be folded nicely so they don't get more wrinkles . If you are selling anything that has come in contact with food, like dishes or pots and pans, they should not have any food stains on them. Glass ware, whether is be vases or cologne bottles, should sparkle, no dust or dirt. Electronics, which tend to be real dust catchers, should be wiped clean. You might be selling a great item that people just won't recognize if its dirty.
Rule #2 It shouldn't smell. You would think that was clean and in reasonable condition it wouldn't smell but it you are a smoker then to a non-smoker it will have a very unpleasant odor. If you have stored things in a musty basement they will also pick up an unpleasant odor. Sometimes just cleaning the item will get rid of the smell but other times, if you are dealing with paper, wood or other things that can absorb smells, then you might have to air them out for a long time and spray them with a odor remover.
Rule #3 You should know exactly what you are selling. I bought a pearl necklace worth over $1500 for under a dollar because the seller just assumed that it was costume jewelry. Every spring and summer I buy sterling silver jewelry for as little as 10 cents because people have not taken the time to see if the "junk" jewelry they are selling at their garage sale is worth anything. On the flip side of this I have had to point out countless time to people who are insisting that the items they are selling as antique, are not. One woman was furious when I told her, that her "antique" serving platters were anything but, I flipped them over and showed her stamped on back- "Microwave Safe'. Especially if you are selling off other people's items don't assume you know what they are. You might think that grandma had horrible taste and that those ugly pink flower vases aren't worth more than a quarter each, but a antique dealer will snap them up in a second recognizing that they are art glass from the 1930's. Never assume and do some research.
Rule #4 Be realistic on how much you will probably get for it especially anything electronic. Yes you paid a whole whack of cash for it 5 years ago but now its considered so old it's almost obsolete. It doesn't matter what it was worth then, it matters what it is worth now.
Rule # 5 Don't lie. It's bad karma to lie about something and it might get you involved in a law suit. If you know the item is recalled then don't try to sell it. If you know that the item is not safe, then don't try to sell it. If you know the item is permanently stained, then don't tell them that a quick wash will get it looking new again. Follow the golden rule and treat them as you would like to be treated.
You have several choices on how you are going to sell off your stuff and you might want to use different ways to sell different things. If you have a garage sale and the rocking chair doesn't sell then consider trying something else.
Garage Sales- Haul out your chattel to the drive way, hang out a sign and wait for the masses to snap up you stuff ..... well, maybe. A good garage sale is one that is organized from the moment you think about doing it. Go through your house with a fine tooth comb and as you decide on each item to sell put a price sticker on it then and there and set it aside. Pricing it from the get go will save you tons of time and you will be able to research any items that you think might have any value. The pricing tends to be 30% to 45% of the original value depending on the demand. Large children's toys that are in excellent condition, such as sand boxes might make more, especially if you were to tape on them a picture from a catalog with it's original price plus tax. Garage sales can be great if you have a huge mix of stuff, some old, some new, some kids stuff and some electronics. The down side is the weather might ruin the day or everyone is looking for the stuff you don't have. At the end of the day you might be hauling it all back into the house. Advertise extensively and have a back up plan for anything that doesn't sell.
Consignment Stores- There are consignment stores for almost any type of merchandise, from sporting goods, to children's items, to woman's clothes. Go through the phone book and call them ahead of time to find out what they will and will not accept. These stores generally will ask you to book an appointment for them to look through your stuff. Consignment stores are very seasonal so don't think that they will take your skis in the middle of summer, they might ask you to come back in a few months. Clothing stores can be very particular with what they will or will not take, you can't be offended if one store is not interested in what you have, it just might not fit the clientele that they have. Try another consignment shop, but if the second one tell you the same thing then try another option.
Antique Stores and Vintage Stores-- Depending on how they are run they might take your items on consignment or buy it outright.Putting them on consignment might get you more money in the end as the store will take a portion of the selling price but doesn't have to use their own cash to stock their shelves.
Online Classified Ads- Craig's List and Kijiji are two of the most popular on-line classified sites. This is a great option for larger items like furniture and cars but also will work well if you have a collection of items like tools or you are selling many similar items together like children's clothes. You definitely need a digital camera to download photos of what you are selling and you have to practice sensible safety practices when meeting with strangers. If at all possible have another person with you when meeting with the buyer and have the item in an outside area like your garage
Auction Houses There are a lot of different types of auction houses, some do only deal with high end pricey antiques while others will happily take anything that you want to give them. Go on their websites to see if you have a good fit with what you want to sell. (For more information on how Auction Houses work read How to Buy at a Live Auction). Make sure that you understand how an auction works and how much they will take in auction fees.
Ebay - Probably the most recognized on line auction site in North America. You will have to set up an account with them and an account with Pay Pal as well. You will need a digital camera to post photos. This is a great option is you happen to have odd collectibles and you need a large audience to get the best price.Though the collectible market has taken a crash in the down turn of the economy this still might be your best bet. (For more information on selling collectibles read What's My Collection Worth?) There is lots of information out there on how to sell on Ebay and what to be careful of. In some larger cities there are business that will do all the work for you. You bring your items to them, they appraise what they think it should sell for and place it on Ebay for you. You will pay them a fee for the service but since they also ship it out for you it is a time saver.
On-line Stores-Specialty stores that specialize in very specific items often buy from the public. Be it vintage nylons or sterling silverware, there is a site out there that sells it. Contact them to see if they are interested in what you have.
There are several way that you can sell your unwanted items but it will take some time and effort to get the best price. The last bit of advice is don't forget the oldest method of all, word of mouth. You should mention to family and friends items that you have for sale, while they might not be interested in buying your Kayak they might know someone who is.
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Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2010
Morestylethancash
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