What do you do with really nice items that do not sell on ebay or other venues?

[my_boston_baked_beans]

I have been on ebay since 2000(other ID), and had a good run for many years until the last 4 or 5. I like vintage decor also adding a popular clothing line here and there, and have sold on other venues over the years.

Now, as a very small seller, nothing this selling on ebay or other venues. Therefore, my question, what do I do with really nice items that family members do not want, and to nice for Good Well or yard sales?

Thanks

[pickapaper]

@my_boston_baked_beans Well, there are a couple of answers to your question, but then, there also really isn't an answer.  You can either bite the bullet and sell the items super cheap at a garage sale (or on eBay) or you can hang on to them and let them gather dust.    We have all been there (or are there).

We went to an estate sale this morning, last day at 50% off.  The house was still full of nice things that no one wants any longer, priced cheap but still not selling at 50% off.  I just shake my head and wonder what they are going to do with those all those items after the sale is over.   Stopped at another estate sale, same scenario, different merchandise, nice stuff, again, not selling.   This seems to be the norm anymore.

[fbusoni]

@my_boston_baked_beans 

My experience has been that if the price is right, a buyer will surface.   I suspect that this is especially true at the moment, when people -- rightly or wrongly -- are freaking out over the economic uncertainty which is creeping in to our daily lives.

Have you thought about experimenting with rock-bottom pricing?  

That is, pricing at a level that will essentially pay for the mileage and the time you spend going to the post office?

[pikabo-icu]

Lower the price..

Lower it again..

Hoard them.

Donate them to a shelter.

Have a yard sale; everything $10.  $5. $1. etc...

Good Will.. Tax write off.. 

That's all I got. 

[kensgiftshop]

As long as I have the avaliable listings, I just let them run.

After a couple years, might drop the price some.

[m60driver]

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@my_boston_baked_beans wrote:

Therefore, my question, what do I do with really nice items that family members do not want, and to nice for Good Well or yard sales?

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Nothing is too nice for a yard sale.  And as far as donating, look for a non-profit thrift shop in your neck of the woods.

[susanb1872]

You could try consignment shops for home decor and clothing. You will get a better price than garage sales but probably lower than ebay. But it does depend on the type of item.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

I am not one of those people who advises you keep lowering your price.

Every sale you make, even if you are a great and honorable seller, places your account at risk.

You need to be making enough on each sale to justify the risk to your account because things go wrong, and not all buyers are great and honorable.

Often giving away out of fashion items is the best alternative. It is even better if the destination of your generosity actually wants your gift. 

With the help of one of my grown children, we donated a collection of books on a relevant subject to a small college. We were not looking for a tax deduction, or any payment, they had merit and would have taken years to sell, if they would sell. The college actually wrote a guide to the collection.

We have learned what items the local Goodwill will accept, and it is one of the sophisticated Goodwill's which as well as selling in their stores also sells on their own websites and several internet marketplaces. Yes, they also sell on Ebay. We give them things.

We give some merchandise to long time friends who sell at flea markets. They have been great sources of inventory for us over the years, given us good prices, and this is a way of paying them back for their contribution to our profits.

When I was younger, we would haul a lot of dead merch to flea markets a couple of time a year, but the results were not good enough so we were bringing some merch back. It was depressing to have to pack up the SUV after closing. And I was beat for days after.

[bandrhome]

Thrift stores even turn some stuff away... Many of my neighbors know I refinish furniture so they bring me stuff the thrift stores wont take. LOL Perfectly nice furniture!

I kept a desk and a bed frame, refinished them. The rest I refinished and sold.

[adamcartwright]

 @my_boston_baked_beans 

Contact an estate sale or consignment company to find out if they can sell your items.

If not, give to family and friends or donate. 

[inhawaii]

If they do not sell, you kinda only have 3 options...

1) Keep them.

2) Give them away.

3) Throw them away.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Thank you all for your advice 🙂 Sad when you know what you paid is more than what you can sell nice things for.

We have no real family to speak of, but will be donating our estate so maybe someone will enjoy them.

[stuff4divas]

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@my_boston_baked_beans wrote:

Thank you all for your advice 🙂 Sad when you know what you paid is more than what you can sell nice things for.

We have no real family to speak of, but will be donating our estate so maybe someone will enjoy them.

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@my_boston_baked_beans  I scheduled a Salvation Army pick up for later next week. Giving them some awesome furniture pieces, eight total, that I paid big bucks for, example: a solid cherry wood desk, and some bags of clothes (that I could easily sell on eBay) but just so stressful listing clothing items.

I thought about selling, giving to friends, neighbors, etc, but in the end, I feel I got my money's worth by having and using over the years and I decided a quick easy disposal was best. Did not want to add more value to the pieces with my time, plus the pick up is free.

Will also open up a lot of space in my living/closet areas.

Now I need to decide on what to do with my 100 pair of high heel and platform designer shoes. Don't wear them anymore since working from home selling on eBay, 16 years, but every time I look at them, I get too tired to list LOL

Good Luck with whatever u decide.

[mommaknows]

@my_boston_baked_beans 

There are a few safe shelters in the Memphis area for abused women with and without children. Maybe check them out.

[meme6253]

It's a tough call on what to do with these items, We are at a point where older people are trying to eliminate some clutter, & a younger generation that either doesn't appreciate these types of items or just don't want the clutter, That being said your options are what you have all ready pointed out Good Will, Yard Sales, Maybe On A Consignment with a brick & mortar thrift shop, Or donate & take a tax right off, Good Luck to you whatever you choose.