Any ideas for getting rid of stuff for cash, with the least possible effort?

[Brian]

For a variety of reasons, over the years we've accumulated quite a lot of "stuff" and would like to cut down on the clutter. Some of it is electronics, some collectible toys, and other stuff. The value varies quite a bit, but for the sake of argument, let's say that most of it would be worth selling one way or the other vs. just giving away to goodwill/etc. for the write-off (although sometimes not by much). Tried a garage sale a few years back and that was a great way to waste a weekend.

What I'd like to do is find a good way to sell it to get a reasonable value. I'm not as interested as I used to in getting the absolute top value for whatever the item is, especially since the value of some of these things declines over time. And at this point, with multiple jobs and/or responsibilities, I'm not likely to get it done myself by selling on ebay, craigslist, etc. like I had originally thought.

Any ideas?
1) eBay has a "valet" service you can send items to, and they take 30% off the top. Reviews are pretty bad though
2) Some sort of private, local ebay drop-off store (again, 30-40% at least off the top, marginal reviews)
3) Pay someone $ per hour to sell (challenging because you'd likely want to be able to keep track to make sure they're actually working)
4) Pay someone x% commission to sell on ebay/CL, might be a good option with all the guys out there looking for work

These are probably not my favorite options at this point.
- Sell myself on ebay, CL, etc. (I've proven it's not going to happen).
- Give it all away to charity (May do this with some items, but it's unlikely that we'll just give everything away).

Know anybody, or gone through something similar? How'd it work out?

[Irving]

Contact a company that does estate sales. It will be a bit different that they can't just come sell your entire house after you die, but I'm sure you/they could work something out.

[sniper7]

Doing it yourself will make you the most money. Be honest on prices and have the idea you want thing cleared out, not making major cash and you will make a good dent in your "stuff".

Garage sales lea draw the lowest bidders looking for the cheapest deals. Ebay does take it's cut. You might try craigslist first with pictures and details clearly listed, Put then you deal with the flakes. But you save the fees of ebay.

[MrPrena]

DIY.

YOu would not believe some junk can fetch top dollar.
When i was moving, I needed to clear out some junk, and listed lots of stuff on eBay. I sold the Norwest bank money pouch for $45 on eBay.


(Similar to this, but Horizontal)
http://i60.tinypic.com/33yj8so.jpg

[BREATHER]

I do not particularly care for ebay, but I think it is the way to go for what you are describing, if the items are shipping size.. Vintage collectable toys go well. I also think that it is fun to watch the bid go up, but some items won't go for anything... I had a friend sell a full size horse drawn carriage on ebay. the buyer did come to haul it away.

[Bailey Guns]

Do you have kids old enough to handle this? If so, put them in charge. Have them take pictures and market the items on eBay or CL or wherever. Give them a cut for doing it. Could be a great learning experience.

I just had a pretty successful "man stuff" garage sale a few weeks ago. I placed a funny ad on a local community forum that got a lot of attention. I got rid of a LOT of things I can live without. But I asked garage sale prices. I made over $2000 and now have a lot less to move. What didn't sell I either decided to keep or gave away to the local thrift store (tax deduction). Some I just trashed.

No matter which way you choose to go about doing it you're going to have to put some effort into it...either selling it yourself or managing someone else doing it for you. There really isn't a solution that's not going to involve some time and effort.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

I've used one of those services for eBay to sell some bigger ticket items. The 30-40% and while it has sold (a month or two back), I haven't gotten my check yet.
Having said that, they got WAY more than I thought possible.

[rockhound]

don't forget to report any gains on your personal items on your form 1040

[kidicarus13]

don't forget to report any gains on your personal items on your form 1040

I doubt he'll be gaining much.
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Tax-Tips-for-Online-Auction-Sellers

[KestrelBike]

don't forget to report any gains on your personal items on your form 1040

haha it's not a business and his basis will undoubtedly be much more than his gains, unless he's got that old shelby cobra sittin' in his hermetically-sealed barn : P

[HoneyBadger]

don't forget to report any gains on your personal items on your form 1040

[LOL]

[def90]

The amount of "effort" that you want to spend will be directly proportional to the amount of money you get. No effort = no money. Sell it on craigslist as a garage sale. List all of your items in several listings and say that you will be open for business on saturday xx/xx/xxxx from 9am to noon. Be ready to haggle to get rid of the stuff. Anything left over donate.

sent from a soup can and some string..

[def90]

don't forget to report any gains on your personal items on your form 1040

If you are selling used personal items you do not have to claim the income on taxes because it's likely a loss on purchase price anyway.

If you are buying and reselling items on a regular basis for profit then you required to report that income.

sent from a soup can and some string..

[Great-Kazoo]

Garage sale everything. Dump what you have no need for cheap. Once items have sold figure out what you need cash wise, then CL and or ebay. If we don't sell am item at our garage sale. It goes to goodwill.

[68Charger]

could contact a good auctioneer- with enough interest, could be worthwhile

Just an idea, I don't have any to recommend.

[hollohas]

There are local buy/sell groups on facebook. People post all sorts of things on there and mist seem to sell fast. My wife has sold and bought stuff in some group very successsfuly.

[cstone]

Any ideas for getting rid of stuff/clutter for cash, with the least possible effort?

Buy insurance...commit arson.

Oh, did you mean least possible legal effort? [Coffee]

[MrPrena]

There is no taxes on ebay sales unless 200 transction PLUS $20k in taxable year.
Look at 1099-k.

[Citizen_Soldier]

The amount of "effort" that you want to spend will be directly proportional to the amount of money you get. No effort = no money. Sell it on craigslist as a garage sale. List all of your items in several listings and say that you will be open for business on saturday xx/xx/xxxx from 9am to noon. Be ready to haggle to get rid of the stuff. Anything left over donate.

sent from a soup can and some string..

Best post so far. Throw your stuff on Craigslist, include a couple pictures showing the pile of stuff. My city has a for sale group on facebook too, which has helped me sell a fair amount of items. Whatever's leftover list on ebay or bring to a pawn shop. Don't expect much if you bring it to a pawn shop. It needs to turn a profit on all these items and the same cheap asses who troll garage sales come into shops to haggle hard. Like the quoted post says though, pawn shop= 0% effort, but will yield low cash. It's instant and relatively hassle free though.

[Brian]

Any ideas for getting rid of stuff/clutter for cash, with the least possible effort?

Buy insurance...commit arson.




Now there's an idea. ;)

Good advice all around, but I'd much rather you tell me there's a magic answer out there. I think the number one rule we've learned is just not to buy too darn much in the first place. Or maybe it's just that I've learned to focus - I sure do have a lot more guns and ammo than I did 10-15 years ago. LOL.

[Brian]

I remember when I created my ebay account back in 1998. I bought and sold everything I could, and was happy making a buck one dollar at a time. But now, the fee schedule is so high, and it's easier to make money at a "real" job where the pay-per-hour is a lot higher, that it's just not worth it to sell the little stuff.

I sure wish I had a way to go back in time and hire myself to sell all this crap. Would be a great deal for both of us.

[TheGrey]

There's a Facebook group in your area that you can sell items on- you may not get top dollar, but stuff usually moves pretty well.