How to Sell Your Unwanted Stuff

If you’re trying to get some extra cash from your unwanted items, you have options for how to do so, from selling them yourself to hiring someone to sell them for you.

Selling things yourself means that you can avoid fees and commissions charged by sites like eBay, or an auction house. However, you will need to take the time to manage the sales and have patience to store things until they sell (if selling online). A garage sale is a great one-time push if you have many things to sell or have multiple families interested in co-hosting.

How you decide to sell your items is a matter of personal preference, and current needs (time vs. money). So, here are a few suggestions on how to sell your stuff, and tips for being successful.

Selling on Social Networking Sites

PROS: Convenient way to reach out to neighbors. More personal than Craigslist, where buyers are anonymous. Free to use. No commission paid for selling an item. Post items from the convenience of home. Set your own price.

CONS: Meet with potential buyers, and sometimes load and haul items to buyers

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Use Facebook groups to sell, rather than the general marketplace. Many towns and cities have groups set up specifically for buying, selling, and advertising garage sales.

RECOMMENDED: Nextdoor and Facebook

Selling at a Garage Sale

PROS: Great way to meet neighbors. Instant cash for your goods. A garage sale is a one-time event where you can sell many items without having to haul them too far.

CONS: Time commitment to preparing and hosting. Items may not sell for as much as they might online, especially collectibles.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Advertise well! Use social media sites like Facebook, Nextdoor, and Craigslist to advertise sale at least one week ahead of time. Include photos and brand names of items being sold. Make big, bold signs to set out the morning of to guide customers to your sale to BE VISIBLE. Avoid piggybacking off large events- lots of people in town, means lots of people stopping by a garage sale, right? Not really. During large events, folks are generally focused on that event, not finding other things to do. Find out what events are going on in town, and plan around them.

Selling on eBay

PROS: National and international audience. Sometimes brings more money, especially for collectible items.

CONS: Time to handle shipping, eBay and PayPal fees (though minimal), time to photograph and post items, must have a place to store the items, they may not sell right away.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Be very descriptive in your posts! Let buyers know EXACTLY what you are selling and its complete current condition. Take note of every little mark of wear on your item, and include that in your description. This will help avoid returns and conflict. Have items packed for shipping once their posted to save time when they sell. Print shipping labels at home to avoid lines at the post office.

Sell through Consignment

PROS: No need to negotiate deals, price, or manage sales. Lots of options around the Twin Cities for clothing, home décor, and furniture. Some consignment shops offer pick up or pay cash outright.

CONS: Higher fees (usually 50%-60%). Often have to haul items yourself. High rate of rejection. Many places limit the number of items per appointment, so you may not be able to take everything you have all at once. Usually, you have to wait awhile for things to sell.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Do your research to find the shop who will most likely be able to sell your item. Many shops are highly specialized (bridal gowns, vintage, boutique brands, furniture only, etc.. ). Call or email different shops before hauling your stuff around. The easiest option is to work with Sorted Stones.

RECOMMENDED: Sorted Stones Consignment Services, Turnstyle for men's, women's, home décor, furniture. June for high end women's clothing. Buffalo Exchange for trendy unique finds.

Sell at Auction

PROS: Saves a lot of time. Items will sell. Timely payment. No handling of shipping or delivery.

CONS: Fees associated. Have to drop items off or pay for pick up. No say in the price.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Call or email photos and information of items ahead of time to see if the auction house is interested. Clean all items, and make sure they are in working order. Best for higher end and higher value items.

RECOMMENDED: Luther Auctions in North St. Paul. Weekly auctions, easy drop off, pick up available, fair fees, and locally owned.