Sell your forgotten items to get the cash to pay off debts!
As much as we want to believe the future is bright, many Americans still struggle to get ahead. Saving enough for a home down-payment or credit card consolidation can seem daunting.
Renowned online financial planning publisher Bankrate explains that that more than three in four Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and 76 million Americans struggle to keep food on the table. Believe it or not, 80% of American adults are in some form of debt. Even though the majority of us depend on debt to maintain our current lifestyle. Many depend on the cash advance to repair cars and computers or pay the medical bills that keep us earning.
The largest online marketplaces include:
CraigsList: while you set the price, people will still offer less. Still, you stand to get more on craigslist than selling to a pawn shop because you’re selling direct to the end consumer. There’s no middle man needing his or her cut.
Close5: the reselling newcomer in App form, Close5 only lists people with items within 5 miles of you. Like CraigsList, you can set the price, but buyers will try to haggle.
eBay: unlike CraigsList, eBay operates on an auction system where you set a starting price and hope it moves up from there. You can also choose to not sell if you don’t get the amount you want. An eBay account is very simple to set up. Keep in mind that you will pay shipping.
Pawn Shops: the best place if you need cash fast. Managers have certain prices and set margins they must stick to, however, leaving less for you.
Those who looking to escape debt or pay off credit cards or a cash advance should look to the items in their homes they no longer need. This step not only brings down your interest payments, it declutters your home. Review this list for good items to sell and the best outlets to sell them:
tools: CraigsList, pawn shops
phones: gazelle.com and a GameStop near you
video games: GameStop, especially if you’re buying new games or Amazon’s Trade In program. com, now an eBay company, also takes used video games
music, videos and DVDs: SecondSpin is the largest re-seller of used DVDs, Blu-Ray and videos. DeClutter and com are other possibilities
sporting equipment: A Play It Again Sports store near you. Otherwise, CraigsList, Close5 and pawn shops.
appliances: CraigsList, Close5 and pawn shops
books: bookscouter.com (especially for text books) and Amazon’s book buyback program
clothing: high quality, gently used clothing is best turned over to a consignment store. Popular lines get the best return on eBay or CraigsList. There’s also the new ThredUp which sends you a bag in which to send your old clothes. This outlet tends to prefer designers like Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, etc.
kid’s toys: especially when put together in age-appropriate bundles and sold on eBay, Close5 or CraigsList
jewelry: estate jewelry shops and consignment stores. Get appraisals first!
music instruments: Local music stores, but they will want a slice of the profit. With Close5 and CraigsList, you sell directly to the parent.
furniture: consider Close5 and offer to deliver. Shipping costs for big items will cut into your selling price. If that doesn’t work, look around eBay to see what your piece may be worth and try to get that at a yard sale.
cameras: Keh Cameras still takes film cameras, but better prices are for the DSLRs. It also takes vintage cameras for higher prices. Otherwise eBay. Again, look around to see where the better prices are.
Steps to Start Generating Cash from Your Forgotten Items
Check unused rooms, basement, attics, trunks of cars and garage. List all of it and beside the list, write the marketplaces you’ll try first and second.
Don’t let your emotional response guide you. If you know you don’t need that item anymore, let it go. It will be of much use for others. Family members, living and dead, will be proud of you for getting your finances in order.
Set up your accounts on sites like eBay and Craigslist.
Take pictures of the items you are about to re-sell. Remember, make it appealing. Try many angles of the picture so the custumers can check every side of the item. Borrow a friend’s DSLR to get the best shots and Google how to light items correctly.
Check the shipping costs at usps.com so that so you won’t lose money when shipping an item.
Finalize the list and check the complete list of items you have. Explore how much similar items are going for on eBay, CraigsList, Close5 and others. If you’re selling jewelry, silver or gold, make sure to get an appraisal first.
Create listings for every item. There are many ways to simplify this process, but some find listing on Saturdays or Sundays keep them on track better.
Check messages once in a while. Buyers will have clarifications or questions regarding your product and their messages will come frequently. If you have more bidders, higher prices in the end.
If you already sold and shipped a product, immediately leave feedback for the buyer. Ship the items immediately as possible to avoid negative feedback and win good reviews.
First Financial helps Americans get the cash they need at the most competitive rates. In the digital era, we set up and help you manage your cash advance, business loan or merchant services 100% online. We specialize in products for all kinds of borrowers, including those with fair and poor credit. We’ve done the work to find appropriate lenders that keep you solvent!