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Note:This is a post from Courtney Baker, chief seller and long-time running wo-man of MvD.
I frequently hear from our readers that they can’t wait to rid their house of crap, but don’t know where to sell their things. They know the options – eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, yard sales, consignment shops. But they don’t know which marketplace is better for each item.
Rightfully so.
There are hacks, tricks, nooks and crannies that sellers have mastered so well they actually make a living buying and reselling in these marketplaces. Not to mention, there are plenty of “if” and “unless” clauses that could overwhelm any newbie.
Books don’t sell on Craigslist, unless you have a trendy bestsellers at the peak of its popularity (Twilight, Hunger Games, 50 Shades of Grey, etc).
When Adam and I started to sell all our crap, we went into the trenches to figure out this maze of selling used goods. We had some epic fails at first, but we eventually mapped out a system that worked well for us. In fact, we’ve sold everything from silverware, books, electronics and couches to a tanning bed, a French horn, and even an RV!
We ran every single item through a flowchart to figure out where we should sell it.
What to Sell Where Flowchart
I’m going to sell the four items pictured above. I’ll walk through the flowchart and demonstrate how I determine where to sell each thing. I hope you see quickly that youcan sell most things at each marketplace. But we’re searching for thebestmarketplace.
Books
The five books I’m selling are all New York Times bestsellers – that peaked five years ago. Unless they’re classics or rare editions, books lose their value quickly. But let’s look at our options.
eBay
Is it brand name? Kind of, bestsellers.
Collectible? No.Shippable?Yes.
People definitely sell books on eBay, but it’s not your best option for non-collectible items. eBay would be better if you have a collection of books like the Harry Potter series. Keep moving through the flow chart.
Craigslist
Is it generic?No.Local?Doesn’t have to be.
Too big to ship?No.
Craigslist is not a great platform for selling books. You may find people selling books, especially the HOT books, but it’s more luck-based. Keep moving through the flow chart.
Amazon
CD, DVD, or Book?Yes.
Jackpot! Amazon is a great place for selling your media whether it’s a CD, DVD or book. Because these books are older, the market might be flooded, at which point I would need to continue through the flowchart to Yard Sale and then Donate.
iPhone 4
It’s an iPhone in good condition with all theaccessories This version was two releases ago (before 4s and 5), so it’s a bit outdated. But you never know until you research it!
eBay
Is it brand name? Very much so, Apple iPhone.
Collectible? Debatable 😉
Shippable? Yes.
Small name-brand electronic devices are GREAT on eBay! After a quick search, I also found that the iPhone 4 is still in demand and many are selling between $90-$150. I would stop right here.
Sometimes your local Craigslist market could be an option, but I’ve had more consistent results selling smaller electronics on eBay.
Popular Leap Frog Tag Book Set
We have a bundle of Leap Frog Tag Junior books plus the reader. This is a high-demand toy, name brand, and a bundle.
eBay
Is it brand name?Yes, Leap Frog.
Collectible?No.
Shippable?Yes.
Since the items are in demand, brand name, and shippable, eBay is a realistic choice. They might not be collectible items, but I have a bundle of them (or alot, to use eBay lingo). My next step would be to research the current and past listings to see if there’s really a market for the Tag Readers.
I would normally stop here, but Craigslist actually has a huge market for all things kid and baby.
Craigslist
Normally, CL is great for general searches like “highchair,” “couch”, or “TV.” But there are a few specific products that are taking off in this marketplace, including name-brand baby stuff, vehicles, and larger electronics. Making a listing on CL is easier than eBay, so I might try to sell it here before eBay in this case.
Why not Amazon? They’re books, right?
One of the pros of this item is that there’s a bundle of several books. On Amazon, you have to list books individually. I might be successful selling each book on its own, but I’d prefer to be one and done.
Generic kids’ puppet blanket
Random small household items are the worst to sell. There isn’t enough demand for them to have a listing on eBay, Craigslist, or Amazon.
For these items, you need to start thinking about hosting a yard sale or simply donating.
Surprisingly, clothes typically fall into this category. Unless you have some name-brand specialty clothing, it’s very difficult to resell your clothes for anything near the price you paid.
You can go deep into selling strategies and market research to sell your crap. Hopefully you can save time with some of these basics. If you want to take your selling beyond this flowchart, then Sell Your Crap might be your next step.
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· Unautomate Your Finances ebook
· You Vs Debt Sample Lesson
· What to Sell Where Flow Chart
· Debt Payoff Tracker
· 10 Tips for an Effective Craigslist Ad
For your copy of the full What to Sell Where Flowchart, as well as several other awesome resources to “kickstart your money,”join the Man Vs. Debt community list by clicking here!
What hacks have you discovered in selling your crap? Which marketplace is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments below.
