Trash or Cash?
figuring out what to sell ...
If you’re like most people at one time you’ve wondered if an item you have tucked away in a closet or attic could possibly be worth a bunch of money. Every so often you might read about someone who had an ashtray they were going to toss only to find out to it was worth some obscene amount of money. Sure it would be nice, but what are the chances? Some of us are more able to toss or donate. Others of us are planning on researching the value of the item before making a decision. For this week’s clutter challenge I want to share with you some easy ways to figure out if it’s trash or worth cash. You’re challenge this week is to locate one item you been wondering the value of and follow the steps below, ready? Let’s go! Step 1: choose an item from the pile of possible treasures Step 2: Log onto www.Ebay.com and search for the item you own. You can search a variety of ways, keywords, titles or identifying marks. Do your best to track down the item, we want to see who else has one and how much they are selling it for. Step 3: You can do more research at the library using reference books like Collectibles Price Guide 2006 Step 4: Still need more expert help? Go to www.appraisers.org to locate a certified appraiser near you. Step 5: Once you know what the item is worth you can make a choice about what to do with it. Keep and use it, toss it, donate it, or sell it. Here’s a sample of recent online sales: Vintage (30+ year old Fisher Price toys) $475 Board Games $19 each Queen size mattress $450 1953 TV Guide with Bob Hope and Queen Elizabeth $5.00 HUMMEL FIGURINE # 471 HARMONY IN FOUR PARTS 10 INCHES $350 mint condition 1971 National Geographic $2.00 Where to sell an item online:
Auction your items on Ebay www.Ebay.com (fees apply)
I Sold It Ebay stores www.stores.ebay.com (fees plus a commission apply)
www.Craigslist.org (no fees are assessed and you don’t have to write an ad or send a pix)
www.Amazon.com to sell books, type in the ISBN then click-sell-mine Three things you must do BEFORE you take a photo of an item you plan to sell:
1. Clean it- wipe off smudges and fingerprints. Baby wipes and the Mr. Clean magic eraser are great. Amoral wipes work on plastic. (Note: do not try to clean known antiques, it can lessen the value.)
2. Set the stage. Display the item so the good features are highlighted. For example, if the tag is still on the garment get a close up of the tag.
3. Hang clothing from a hanger instead of simply placing it on a flat surface. How to list an item for sale:
Step 1: Write up the description of the item
Step 2: Take great photos of the item
Step 3: create an email account to sue just for these sales, that way the emails don’t clutter up your inbox
Step 4: Go to the website where you plan to sell the item and list it
Step 5: wait for it to sell
Step 6: pack it up and ship it off
NOTE: always be safe- ship the item to the buyer or plan to meet in a public place You have to think about the benefits of the possible sale with the effort you’d need to expend. If you expect to gain $50 from a sale, you then have to subtract your aggravation, sale fees, gas to drive it there and so on. It may not be worth it. You have to make a choice, sell it, recycle it, toss it, donate it or keep it and use it. The worst thing would be to let the item continue to deteriorate in storage. So now that you know what to do set your timer for 18 minutes and get started! PPS Forward this email to friends, family and co-workers, they'll thank you.
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