Losing Money When Decluttering?

[braumeister]

The owner of a large used book store told me that people trying to drop off loads of old books are just a huge annoyance to him. He tells them to keep going another half mile and drop them off at Goodwill.

My unwanted books go the the library, where they almost always get sold at their annual sale. Provides valuable funding to the library and gives me a deduction if I can use it.

[kcowan]

When my brother died, I filled a grocery buggy with books and went to the nearest used bookstore. The ones they took gave me a credit which I immediately spent in the store. The rest went to Good Will.

[Sasset]

I was wondering if anyone has ever used OFFERUP to sell unwanted items? How did it work for you if did? I have furniture to get rid of before I downsize.

[Koolau]

I don't know about anything other than Craig's list and I was reluctant to use that - though DW was successful with it on her own while I was away. I never liked the idea of anyone even having a clue where I lived when money was trading hands on used stuff. Just my thing, perhaps.

My suggestion would be to find an auction house. We did our furniture through one. They picked it all up, stored it, sold it and gave us a check. I think they took a third. We were VERY pleased with the furniture end of the process. One story: DW and I "went to housekeeping" with a nice Serta king-size mattress that cost $200 in (I think) 1970 or so. In 2005, we sold it through the auction for $100! I realize that the inflation factor means we sold it for more like 10% of the original price, but WOW! $100 for a 35 year old mattress. Full disclosure: It did look new except that it was exactly flat (no more "new" mattress curvature.) YMMV

[Sasset]

I contacted one estate / auction company and they wanted 50%, so I was looking for alternatives. I guess I will try some other estate companies and see if that is really the normal rate around here.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister The owner of a large used book store told me that people trying to drop off loads of old books are just a huge annoyance to him. He tells them to keep going another half mile and drop them off at Goodwill. My unwanted books go the the library, where they almost always get sold at their annual sale. Provides valuable funding to the library and gives me a deduction if I can use it.

I notice both GoodWill and many libraries selling used books on Amazon these days.

[unclemick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister The owner of a large used book store told me that people trying to drop off loads of old books are just a huge annoyance to him. He tells them to keep going another half mile and drop them off at Goodwill. My unwanted books go the the library, where they almost always get sold at their annual sale. Provides valuable funding to the library and gives me a deduction if I can use it.

Dropped off another load of books today. The guy told my Wife the ones with no home/resale possibilities get turned into the World's greatest invention - toilet paper. This giftee shall remain name less. We (me,Wife,deceased Brother) are down to possibly under 2000 or so books to declutter.

heh heh heh - meanwhile the farm auction date has been set for two separate weekends in September. Was it 'The Ancient Mariner' who shot the Albatross we had to read way back in High School?
Fun Fun Fun in ER.

[misshathaway]

This article came to me in email today. I had or have every category on there except rugs and the article is right about lack of demand for those categories.

Things You Shouldn't Save for Your Kids - Things to Get Rid of Now Before They Become a Burden for Your Kids

I've been at this for 18 months now. The drive to purge goes far beyond logic. Most of us, I'm guessing, don't really need the money, but it is almost as much trouble to give it away. I posted a test item to Freecycle. Will see how that goes.

Awhile back I gave a set of china to a newly married couple. That was joyful.

[timo2]

On our​ current move (in progress) we are donating most of our furniture we don't want to move to Habitat for Humanity Restore.

[Bigdawg]

Starting a declutter phase. A few years ago we fenced in the whole back yard for the great dane. No need for the nice 10X20 kennel. Sold it on craiglist this past weekend to a guy who raises Cane Corso's. Got full asking and additional $50 because I delivered it. Next up, spare table saw and old gas grill.

[HadEnuff]

A few things I've decided after 9 months of decluttering:

Anything large, like a bicycle, eBay is a PITA.

If you aren't in a hurry, and you post it in Craigslist, eventually someone will want it.

If you are tired of waiting for that somebody to want it, it's a lot easier to throw it away after you've at least tried to sell it.

I've kept track of all of my Craigslist money and I'm up to about $1400. The stuff I have sold to generate that $1400 probably cost me several thousand dollars, new, but it beats throwing it away.

The cream of my junk has been pretty much pulled, and what is left is really starting to look like junk, even to me. By Springtime it will be listed on Craigslist, or FaceBook under "FREE", and if that doesn't work, into a dumpster.

[kgtest]

We declutter every November. It works out great because we get the trash put out before the holiday trash fills our bins and we donate clothes and households right before the holidays. Up here in the north its a good time to donate coats and warm clothing as it starts getting brrrr chilly. Lose money? Donations are a tax deduction, the trash is trash, so i wouldn't say i feel much of a loss i usually feel a sense of gains when i declutter knowing i helped someone, reduced my tax liability and freed up space for more crap just in time for xmas . I also volunteer quite a bit more in November December.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HadEnuff A few things I've decided after 9 months of decluttering: Anything large, like a bicycle, eBay is a PITA. If you aren't in a hurry, and you post it in Craigslist, eventually someone will want it. If you are tired of waiting for that somebody to want it, it's a lot easier to throw it away after you've at least tried to sell it. I've kept track of all of my Craigslist money and I'm up to about $1400. The stuff I have sold to generate that $1400 probably cost me several thousand dollars, new, but it beats throwing it away. The cream of my junk has been pretty much pulled, and what is left is really starting to look like junk, even to me. By Springtime it will be listed on Craigslist, or FaceBook under "FREE", and if that doesn't work, into a dumpster.

Instead of a landfill destination for things that aren't broken or severely damaged, consider donating to Salvation Army, etc.

[fancy free]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Instead of a landfill destination for things that aren't broken or severely damaged, consider donating to Salvation Army, etc.

And if you have enough stuff (furniture, etc.), ask your local thrift stores if they will send a truck to pick it up. Salvation Army picked over what we wanted to donate but took 95% of it and we didn't have to carry anything ourselves.

[EastWest Gal]

Habitat for Humanity also picks up old furniture if it is in decent shape.