Sites for selling items

[kia027]

So we cleaning out stuff and honestly dont care for the haggling associated with garage sales but have items to get rid of that would have to be picked up locally.

We have Craigslist but mi kinda fraid a dem
Ebay but how would one draw your local customer to buy your item

Donate & take a tax deduction?

[sistacaf]

Re: Sites for selling items

on ebay there is an option to list your item as being opffered "for local pickup only" - i.e. no shipping.

i use craigslist all the time for household items and it works fine; your personal info is not published or visible in the ad, they 'anonymize' your e-mail addy so when someone replies to your ad, they click on the anonynmous link that forwards to your e-mail. you can do everything via e-mail until you get to the point whe dem come an actually pickup and pay for the item. i've sold a bunch of small items, and coupla big ones too for several hundred bucks, and had no trouble with it so far.

eta: oh i forgot to say i even sold my truck on craigslist! i got offers for $500 OVER the asking price, sight unseen..... got about 20 replies in 5 minutes. it sold quick!

[Tulip]

Re: Sites for selling items

1. The easiest way is to get the stuff out is to use a local charity and get the tax deduction. I was moving and had some larger items that would not fit in the new place. I called United Way (believe it has a dedicated 211 number). They gave me the name of charities that would come pick up. I can't see where I made a dime off the tax deduction though.

2. My next choice would be Craigslist. Only thing is I would not allow them come to the house. We can meet somewhere. Craigslist sales are usually very quick, but if you have something heavy or oversized to unload, then that makes it bothersome.

3. Ebay would be my last choice. Back when I used to use Ebay, some ads listed "pickup only". I am not sure of a way to attract the locals though. I guess the only thing you could do to increase your chances is run the ad for as long as possible. If you can don't mind packing and shipping, then of course you just charge them for it. I do understand not wanting to be bothered with that process because I certainly did not, and I guess that was the point of your question.

[Tulip]

Re: Sites for selling items

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sistacaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on ebay there is an option to list your item as being opffered &quot;for local pickup only&quot; - i.e. no shipping...</div></div>

It's been a while since I have been on there, but do they have a way for the users to search for local pickup items? That would put my Ebay rating on par with Craigslist. Only other thing now is for a pickup Ebay sale, I would not let them pay with PayPal. They would have to bring cash.

[kia027]

Re: Sites for selling items

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sistacaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on ebay there is an option to list your item as being opffered &quot;for local pickup only&quot; - i.e. no shipping...</div></div>

It's been a while since I have been on there, but do they have a way for the users to search for local pickup items? That would put my Ebay rating on par with Craigslist. Only other thing now is for a pickup Ebay sale, I would not let them pay with PayPal. They would have to bring cash.

</div></div>

what is wrong with paying via paypal?

[sistacaf]

Re: Sites for selling items

yah, my entire reason for using those sites is so i don't have to pack anything up or cart it anywhere - i want them to come to me and take it off my hands. i also only use ebay as my last choice cause its complicated and they charge a fee - craiglist is free.

if something doesn't sell, and its a big-ticket item, then i've donated it and taken the tax deduction - what that does is subtract the item's value from your overal taxable income, so you pay taxes on a lesser amount of income; really only worth it for items worth thousands, cause a few bucks off taxable income doesn't change much in terms of the taxes you owe.

but i always try and sell something first before donating.

there's also 'freecycle.org' - in nearly every major city. it's a website where you can list stuff for free; so at least it doesn't get thrown away and wasted. and craiglist also has a 'free' section.

i have no issue with paypal; i would just make sure i transfer the money from the paypal aacount into my personal bank account before releasing the item.

[kia027]

Re: Sites for selling items

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sistacaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on ebay there is an option to list your item as being opffered &quot;for local pickup only&quot; - i.e. no shipping.

i use craigslist all the time for household items and it works fine; your personal info is not published or visible in the ad, they 'anonymize' your e-mail addy so when someone replies to your ad, they click on the anonynmous link that forwards to your e-mail. you can do everything via e-mail until you get to the point whe dem come an actually pickup and pay for the item. i've sold a bunch of small items, and coupla big ones too for several hundred bucks, and had no trouble with it so far.

eta: oh i forgot to say i even sold my truck on craigslist! i got offers for $500 OVER the asking price, sight unseen..... got about 20 replies in 5 minutes. it sold quick! </div></div>

Yes I think it is the final part of the transaction that makes me uncomfortable but as you said I could meet them outside target or one of those places.

[sistacaf]

Re: Sites for selling items

well for me, i don't care if folks come to the house - i live in a converted victorian with a big covered front porch, if its a small item i meet them out on the porch. for the bigger things i've had them come in, cause they have to move it, cause i ain't doin NO labor. that's the whole point for me, all i do is make sure i clean everything up nicely. then they deal with alla the hard stuff and just hand over the cash. i always talk to them first on the phone - i ask them for THEIR number - and if anyone sounds even remotely shady i just won't deal with them. but so far nothing like that has ever happened, everyone who'se bought from me has been fine.

[kia027]

Re: Sites for selling items

This is why I am craigslist shy . Granted I am not selling diamond rings &amp; things like that but dont want people casing my home either

[sistacaf]

Re: Sites for selling items

omg

yes, i see where u r comin from.

[Tulip]

Re: Sites for selling items

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kia</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sistacaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on ebay there is an option to list your item as being opffered &quot;for local pickup only&quot; - i.e. no shipping...</div></div>

It's been a while since I have been on there, but do they have a way for the users to search for local pickup items? That would put my Ebay rating on par with Craigslist. Only other thing now is for a pickup Ebay sale, I would not let them pay with PayPal. They would have to bring cash.

</div></div>

what is wrong with paying via paypal? </div></div>

My issue with Paypal is that if you cannot provide delivery conformation, then the person simply gets their money back from you.

I shipped an item to a person in Japan. I used the USPS and paid extra for some sort of tracking feature. She complained to Paypal that she never received it. I am not saying it is not possible, but I have never had anyone not receive an item no matter what country I shipped it to.

Paypal launches an investigation, gets the tracking number from me, and next thing I know they have debited my account for her refund. Turns out (according to them), there is no way to track it after it leaves the country.

So I get peeved and say if you knew that in the first place, then why be disingenuous and act like there was ever a reason to launch an investigation? Now perhaps the lack of tracking ability is only with the USPS. I'm sure FedEx or UPS probably could but who wants to pay all that extra money?

Since then, I never use PayPal unless it is to a US address in which I can prove delivery. Having someone pick up an item does not fit those parameters.

[Tulip]

Re: Sites for selling items

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sistacaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">well for me, i don't care if folks come to the house - i live in a converted victorian with a big covered front porch, if its a small item i meet them out on the porch. for the bigger things i've had them come in, cause they have to move it, cause i ain't doin NO labor. that's the whole point for me, all i do is make sure i clean everything up nicely. then they deal with alla the hard stuff and just hand over the cash. i always talk to them first on the phone - i ask them for THEIR number - and if anyone sounds even remotely shady i just won't deal with them. but so far nothing like that has ever happened, everyone who'se bought from me has been fine. </div></div>


I am not really paranoid and I for sure don't (well, let me be honest &quot;won't&quot haul big items. But times are hard, and I don't need people casing the joint lol.

Now there are times you know somebody is just trying to see if you're single. However, I had a exterminator come over when I first moved in, and he asked me if I minded him asking me what I did for a living? This was after having gone through most of the house. (There was just something in the way he asked it.)

I said that I was a homemaker, but my husband was a policeman. Since then, I have decided to be more cautious so I'm OK with meeting somewhere but not at my house.

[Tulip]

Re: Sites for selling items

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kia</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes I think it is the final part of the transaction that makes me uncomfortable but as you said I could meet them outside target or one of those places.
</div></div>

That's exactly what I'm saying. A public place for the exchange is what I do.