Auction Information

Is Your Trash Cash? 5 Easy Places to Sell Your Stuff


The old adage that says "one person's trash is another person's treasure" never goes out of date. So when you're looking for some extra spending cash and you want to make some space in your home, combine the two endeavors by selling your stuff instead of donating it or trashing it. Use the extra cash to pay a bill or start a holiday gift fund. Even better, use the windfall to treat yourself to a weekend getaway! Plenty of people and places exist to buy what you could be selling instead of giving away or trashing. Here are some places where you can sell your stuff:

ANTIQUE DEALERS AND COLLECTORS: Sell anything from old coins and costume jewelry to old records and toys that are in great shape to dealers. And sometimes not so great shape. I got several offers for an old hand-me down jeweled pocket watch, even with its bit of chipped paint. Dealers often resell your item to make themselves a profit. The telephone book yellow pages yields the names of area antique dealers or check the local newspaper classified ads under the "wanted to buy" sections. Be sure to get more than one quote or appraisal before you sell it.

FLEA MARKETS: Got a bunch of stuff to sell like books, video tapes, figurines, fake (or real) potted plants, even clothing in good shape? Rent a booth at the nearest flea market that generates a lot of traffic. Often just $5 - $15 rents a space with a table. Visit first to scope out the best booth for your bucks. Perhaps even bring your own additional tables, shelves or hanging clothes racks. A sheet or cheap tablecloth will dress up your flea market table too (Sometimes good displays attract more shoppers!). Don't forget the lawn chair and $20 in small bills for change. And flea market shoppers like to haggle. So inflate your prices just a bit so they can strike a bargain with you. It's expected!

CLASSIFIED ADS: Make room for the new couch by selling the old one in your local freebie paper, especially if you're in a college town. Used furnishings are hot sale items to students. I once netted $200 bucks for a small quaint and deteriorating three piece wood bedroom drawer set someone gave me a few years back. I placed an ad in the local "Pennysaver" newspaper for just a few bucks, and dozens of potential buyers called almost immediately. It sold in two days (to a furniture design graduate student who wanted to restore the furniture).

CONSIGNMENT/RESALE SHOPS: If you have discovered that you like walking in fresh air or you stink at tennis, consider giving up your treadmill or tennis rackets in exchange for cash. Sell used sporting goods equipment to stores such as Play it Again; or put it on consignment at such stores. That means if the item sells, the store gets a cut. If it doesn't sell, you're still stuck with it and earn no money. Also, you probably have some clothing consignment stores in your community. Check the phone book and look around, or ask around, to find them. Sometimes resale shops or consignment shops will advertise in those weekly freebie "tell and sell" or community newspapers too. Make some inquiries with these shops about what seasonal clothes they're looking for currently; then give them your good stash of clothes that you no longer wear to sell on consignment. Make sure you inquire about what happens to the clothing if it doesn't sell (so you get it back and they don't cart it off to the nearest charity clothing shop which some will if you want them to do so).

FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS: Sure it's okay to give things away now and then to friends in need. But if you're planning to sell an item and you happen to know a friend, acquaintance or co-worker seeking just such an item, why not give them first purchase option? When I married, I ended up with a lot of duplicate items just taking up storage space. One day during a casual conversation with a co-worker I found a new home for my almost new, small microwave. My co-worker had just divorced, moved to this new state, owned almost no household items and lived in a very small apartment; my small microwave was a perfect match for her needs. I ended up with $25 I needed and she ended up with a must-have item for her new apartment. So keep your ears open for people seeking what you're getting rid of and don't be afraid to say an item is for sale (after all, if you could afford to give it away, you probably wouldn't be reading this article.).

Karen Fritscher-Porter is the publisher/editor of http://www.Christmas-Cash.com, a Website that brings you simple pocket cash and freebie earning opportunities and ideas. She also publishes http://www.EasyHomeOrganizing.com, a Website that helps you organize your home. Both sites offer free articles, information and ideas and a free newsletter.


MORE RESOURCES:

Vuvox Brings Rich Slideshows To eBay Auctions
Washington Post, United States - 12 hours ago
But until recently users had to go to Vuvox's homepage directly if they wanted to include a widget as part of their auction. Now, eBay is conducting a pilot ...


Boston Globe

Mass. auctions off abandoned property on eBay
Boston Globe, United States - Dec 1, 2008
Treasurer Timothy Cahill says unclaimed property will be auctioned live from noon Thursday until Dec. 15. Some 100 new lots will be posted on Dec. 4, Dec. ...
Cahill puts 300 items of abandoned property on eBay Politicker MA
State putting unclaimed booty on the Internet auction block Trading Markets (press release)
all 13 news articles


Generals to hold two jersey auctions
OurSports Central (press release), WI - 4 hours ago
Ten jerseys will be auctioned off and the fans will get to decide if they want home or road. The auctions will take place in the lobby immediately following ...
Komets add Leo Thomas to roster OurSports Central (press release)
Komets improve to 9-6-1, Thunder rolls in Saturday OurSports Central (press release)
all 3 news articles


3 News NZ

Milkpowder prices dive in Fonterra online auctions
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 2 hours ago
Fonterra says whole milkpowder prices today fell for a fifth time in its internet auctions, taking them to their lowest in more than two years. ...
Fonterra Milk Powder Prices Decline for Fifth Month (Update1) Bloomberg
all 31 news articles


Business Wire (press release)

Inland Real Estate Auctions, Inc. successfully sells Highland Park ...
MarketWatch - Dec 1, 2008
19, resulting in a successful sale just six weeks after Inland Real Estate Auctions was engaged to sell the property. "This is a great example of why the ...
Robert and Melissa Storment of Real Estate Auction Associates ... Business Wire (press release)
all 12 news articles


WHDH-TV

Town of Stoneham auctions off fire truck
WHDH-TV, MA - 23 hours ago
The Public Works Department is putting a 1972 fire engine up on the auction block. Silent bids for the truck will be accepted through Friday and even though ...
Fire on Forest Street consumes garage; fire truck wouldn’t start Winchester Star
all 2 news articles


Treasury Auctions $28 Bln. In 26-Week Bills
RTT News, NY - Dec 1, 2008
(RTTNews) - The US Treasury Department auctioned $28 billion of 26-week bills on Monday, with results showing little change in demand for the securities ...


WWA Group Exhibits at Big 5 Show in Dubai
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
"Equipment prices at our most recent auction in late October were in line with pricing at prior auctions in 2008, and we see robust interest in purchasing ...


Examiner.com

AuctionWally's top ten reasons to attend a live auction
Examiner.com - 10 hours ago
by Auction Wally, Auctions and Antiques Examiner Whether it's a big auction or a local country auction house, auctions are one of the last great American ...


Abercrombie Auctions International hosting Grand Auction during ...
Auction Central News, NY - 8 hours ago
Now - you can put Auction Central News Headlines right on your site! With this handy widget, your site's visitors can stay current on all the news in the ...

Auctions - Google News

home | site map
© 2008