Decluttering
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
List items for a nominal price ($5-$20) and give them away for free if the buyer is tolerable.
This weeds out difficult people who typically seek free items.
one person who lived it
If you have access, check military bases for large items people cannot transport, such as giant plasma TVs.
Many people cannot transport some things.
- Requires access to military bases.
one person who lived it
Price yard sale items at 20% more than your target price to account for haggling.
To be ready for hagglers.
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- Price every item at a garage sale slightly high to allow room for haggling.1
Use a lockbox labeled for a cause and let buyers pay what they think the item is worth.
People often pay more than the seller would have priced the item.
one person who lived it
Look for used furniture at the end of the month when people are moving out.
People often get rid of furniture they don't need as they move out.
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Meet buyers in neutral, busy public locations such as big-box store parking lots or police station lobbies.
Leave items behind when the cost of hiring movers exceeds the value of the items.
Moving costs can be higher than what the items are worth.
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Operate on a strict first-come, first-served basis: do not hold items and do not offer delivery.
The point is for the taker to come and take it from you.
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Price free items at 10 cents rather than marking them as free to encourage sales.
People may ignore truly free items but buy those priced at 10 cents.
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Lower the price if items are not selling.
The market determines value, and focusing on what you paid rather than what a buyer will pay does not pay the bills.
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For local sales not on Amazon or eBay, meet buyers in person and accept cash only.
Cash is still king.
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List items at a fair price rather than too low, as extremely low prices may cause buyers to suspect deception and skip the ad.
Buyers often expect to be lied to and skip ads with prices that seem too good to be true.
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Donate items worth less than £50 to charity rather than selling them.
The effort of selling low-value items is not worth the return.
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Donate items to thrift stores if local buyers only want free items or try to negotiate down to zero.
One seller values their time too highly to waste it on haggling buyers.
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Judge whether you might need inherited or acquired items later before selling them.
Buying them back later could cost more than the sale price.
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Track sales data in a spreadsheet to monitor items sold, gross sales, and net profit over time.
It allows you to see metrics like how many items you sell per year and your net profit.
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Attend estate sales to find used items cheaply, noting that professional buyers often pick the best deals immediately upon opening.
Families often want to clear houses quickly and may offer extras.
- Professional buyers may pick the place clean right away.
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Haggle via email before meeting the buyer to confirm price and intent.
It confirms the buyer has the money ready if you agree to meet.
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Avoid taking free mattresses, beds, couches, or upholstered furniture.
They carry a high risk of bed bugs and stains from previous owners.
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Contact organizations to ask if they allow third-party booth setups for selling items at low prices, which may reduce venue fees.
Organizations may waive or lower charges if they understand your situation and see you are selling cheaply.
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Check if your area has a transfer station that charges by the bag or weight.
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Leave used moving boxes on the curb for quick pickup.
People in some areas take them quickly for gardens, moves, or art projects.
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Call your city to schedule a free bulk trash pickup for large items if the service is included in your taxes.
It eliminates cost and hassle by using a service already paid for.
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Decide beforehand whether you want to haggle or be firm on price, and list accordingly to set clear expectations.
Planning ahead helps you know what you are willing to accept, whether that involves negotiating down from a higher listed price or refusing to negotiate at all.
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Only donate old books or CDs to a library if their 'Friends of the Library' group specifically wants them for a sale.
Libraries generally do not want old books from the public.
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Avoid bringing random strangers near your home when arranging free pickups; consider public meeting spots or self-service curb drops.
You typically do not want to bring random people near your house.
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Write ads simply with correct spelling and avoid using all caps.
Makes you more apt to buy something.
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Place disassembled items by your mailbox or curb with a 'free' sign for quick neighbor pickup.
Items can disappear within hours without needing online postings.
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Require potential buyers to state they are 'seriously interested' in their initial message.
This filters out people who click on listings without reading the posts.
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Be honest about damages in your listings so buyers do not feel lied to when they arrive to see the item.
People prefer honesty; feeling lied to is bad for business.
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Turn all closet hangers backwards; return worn items with hangers facing forward to identify unused clothes at the end of the year.
This shows what you're actually using and not using.
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Place ads in local newspapers for yard sales to reach older demographics who still clip listings.
Older buyers often clip these listings and visit sales on Saturday mornings.
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Meet buyers in neutral, busy public locations such as big-box store parking lots or police station lobbies.
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Sell broken or defective items for a small fee to cover disposal costs or generate income.
Selling covers the cost that would otherwise be incurred for hauling away the item.
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Ask yard sale hosts about specific items like vintage clothing they may not have displayed.
They may retrieve items they didn't think anyone would be interested in.
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Sell small random items like accessories or car parts on eBay, as they can sell quickly.
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Specify in listings that buyers must load items themselves to avoid dealing with people who cannot move heavy objects alone.
One person may show up and be unable to load the item alone.
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Add accurate tags and details to online postings to ensure items are found by buyers.
Inaccurate brands or typos in item names can prevent items from being found.
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State the reason you are letting go of an item when giving it away online.
It avoids signaling desperation or defectiveness.
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Practice discipline at yard sales by setting a budget or aiming to leave without purchasing anything.
One person felt proud of self-control after spending only $1 at 40 stands; another praised themselves for leaving empty-handed.
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Offer removed kitchen cabinets and countertops to workers or neighbors instead of paying for disposal.
It saves you dump fees and provides others with usable materials.
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Slip notes with your contact information under the top copy of required textbooks in the bookstore stacks to signal availability.
It works perfectly and requires no stalking of stacks.
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Use Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for selling larger items like furniture.
These platforms are recommended for downsizing and handling big items.
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Avoid including your address or direct contact information in online listings for free or cheap items.
Protects your privacy and safety.
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Include detailed descriptions with dimensions, condition, brand names, size, and emotional keywords.
This captures search traffic and emotion.
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Place unwanted items directly outside your front door for neighbors to take.
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Sell tools, electronics, and motorized items like chainsaws and generators separately at garage sales as they are high-demand categories.
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Take old metal appliances to a local scrap yard for cash.
One person received $55 for an old washer/dryer set and other metal.
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Check dormitory trash bins, recycling rooms, and outside areas at colleges after the semester ends.
Graduates and students going home often throw away large items rather than moving them.
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If scrap collectors ask to take an item and you refuse, hide the item immediately.
It has been identified and is likely to be stolen; one person reported losing copper and a car wheel after refusing.
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Avoid taking broken electronics from transfer stations unless you can dispose of them for free, as disposal may incur costs.
You may be stuck paying to dispose of broken items like TVs in some places.
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Buy broken small engines like weed whackers or blowers cheaply, repair them with simple fixes like new spark plugs, and resell for profit in your spare time.
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