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Have cars replaced the lawn ornaments? Does the closet have enough unused shirts to make a full parachute? I often have too much stuff. I find clothes sitting in my dresser drawers with tags still on them. I have DVDs that haven't been watched even once beside my TV. I buy stuff I'm not sure I'll ever use. The hard part is not deciding what to buy, but deciding what I need to get rid of and where it should go. The only reason I'm not in debt and can see the floor of my room is I developed a code I run through twice a year. Like many packrats, I have a sense or regret listing anything of mine on eBay, but in the end I am always happy I did. Having extra space and extra cash always helps get rid of this regret!
This guide will go over many important questions a packrat needs to ask him or herself when looking through all of their items. It will also help determine the best place to put these items: on eBay, in a yard sale, or dumped into the trash. Almost everything that can collect dust or rust will be covered. But before I describe the code I use to get rid of things, some minor preparation has to be done (especially for those who have lots and lots of stuff).
Preparing the Workstation
Being organized makes deciding what to get rid of much easier. The first thing that needs to be done is deciding how to section off things that can be sold on eBay, things that should go in a yard sale/secondhand store/flea market, things to donate, and things to throw away. My house is not too cluttered so I use garbage bags or boxes to separate all the items I am going to get rid of. For those who are overwhelmed with things, it is best to start off by cleaning up a room. Then each corner can be labeled as eBay, Yard Sale, Donate, and Trash. Huge items such as furniture and cars don't have to be put off into sections since they are very hard to lose. I suggest adding a Questionable section though it isn't necessary. There might be some objects that should be researched before deciding how to get rid of them.
The second thing the workstation needs is a notebook, pen, and weight scale. I write down everything that I'm going to sell on eBay in the notebook. I also jot down notes for each item such as whether or not it has tags, is damaged in any way, measurements, ISBN numbers, what I'll name its digital picture, and its weight. Having a weight scale in the workstation is key to saving time since each item being sold on eBay can be weighed as it is sectioned off.
Next thing to do is to create a simple photo studio for the workstation. Laying out a clean white sheet and putting a few lamps around the area works pretty well. Some other eBay guides give more information about better setups, but I normally take the quickest route. Here is a list of some of the most popular photography guides on eBay:
How To Master Photography: By struder123
A Great Picture Is Worth 1000 Bids - Picture Taking 101: By markprodan
Editing and Taking jewelry, clothes and other item pics: By unique_zohra_jewelry
Pictures Sell! How to Get Great Photos Economically: By poodlearts
Digital Photography Techniques: By jackclee99
I suggest taking pictures after everything has been organized since there is no point of photographing anything that is going to be thrown away or put in a yard sale.
To finish off the workstation, bring in all of the odd necessities that might come in handy. This can be something such as measuring tape, plastic wrap for fragile items, rag and cleaner for dust, and an iron and ironing board for wrinkled clothes. Well-prepared items take better pictures, and better pictures means more bids.
The Code
Part 1
Now it is time to investigate every single item in the house: clothes, jewelry, tools, games, everything! Go over each question and the decision of whether or not to keep the item will soon become clear. Every question will be described in depth with examples to help make it easier to understand.
Now Let's Begin!
1. How frequently is this object used?
There is usually no point in keeping an object never put to use unless it is a gift for someone else. DVDs and CDs that are scratch-less, clothes still with tags on them, trucks that haven't seen the road in ages, and collectibles remaining in boxes year-round are examples of items rarely put to used. Many books are also rarely used since many people read them only once, then leave them on the shelves where they'll sit for months or years before being opened again. Textbooks from last semester are also great items to sell even if they may be a little old. These items that are rarely used make great items to sell since they usually lack any damage and could almost be sold as brand new.
New items with tags such as these shoes sell great on eBay. Sometimes you may even make a profit!
2. Does the item have any sentimental value?
Some items that should never be sold or given away are precious ones. Departing with family heirlooms can lead to great regret and problems within the family who also share sentimental thoughts with the item. These items are usually jewelry, antiques, art, or gifts. Never sell these items unless a very severe financial crisis is on the horizon.
3. Is there a possibility the item may gain value in the future?
If it is possible an item can sell for more money in the future, there is no reason to get rid of it right away. It is very difficult, though, to predict if an item will become a collector's item in the future. I believe this is based mostly on luck. For example, I bought a reproduction of a video game for the Playstation named Final Fantasy 7 that I thought would become less valuable as it gain ware and tare. Even though the game wasn't an original release and showed signs of use, it sold for twice as much as I bought it for. Of course, it took a few years for the game to gain its value as it became more rare and more popular. Look at the history of the objectes similiar to the item to help find its potential to gain value. I myself know clothes, desktop computers, and fad collectibles tend to loose value over time. These items probably will need some research so I would put them in the Questionable section.
Like many other items, guessing which video games will gain value over the future is difficult. Desktop computers, though, are notorious for lower prices with age.
Many people buy art as an investment for the future. There are several self-representing artists on eBay, but very few of those artists will become popular. For a great gain in the future, buy an original piece. I wouldn't bother with cheap prints especially if they aren't part of a limited edition. When investing in original art, always check the artist's track record to see if they have any potential of becoming more popular, maybe even famous. Ask if they have received any awards for their artwork, and ask them to be specific. Also ask if they are in any galleries at the moment. Also ask about past galleries they have been in. Buying an original piece from an artist that is actively looking for public exposure outside of eBay is a potentially good investment.
You should keep any original art you have as it has a better chance of becoming priceless in the future.
4. Is this a fad item?
Examples of fad items are beanie babies, peasant clothes, and CDs of recent boy bands whose members are starting to turn into men. Fad items are not the best thing to keep around for long as they tend to loose value quickly. I remember buying Barbie dolls from the 1990s for well over $75.00. Now many of the Barbie dolls from that time have lost half of their original value if not more. If a collectable is starting to decrease in value, just the slightest bit, it is best that this item is sold as soon as possible. Also, check store shelves to see if new items from the collection are overstocked and marked down in price. This can also be a bad sign that a collectable is part of a fad. If this item is used a lot or has sentimental value though, then I would keep it. If not, then sell it now.
Mass production helped turn the beanie baby from a collectable to a normal toy.
Some fad items are not on a massive scale. Some items can be from a personal fad. For example, I went through a state in which I wanted to learn Japanese. I bought several books on the language and started to read through them. Then I began to lose interest in that topic and became busy with a new job. These personal fads can relate to fashion, hobbies, games, collectibles, exercise equipment, etc. There is no point in keeping these items if they aren't interesting or helpful anymore.
Many people go through their own personal exercise fad..
5. What condition is the item in?
Clothes with holes and stains, green couches from the 1970s, ancient computers, and other old items not worth selling should be thrown away. Unless you can't afford to replace the item, then put it in the garbage where it belongs.
The chances of anyone buying old furniture are very low.
Part II
After deciding to get rid of an item, it is now time to figure out where it needs to go. The next series of questions will help determine if the item should be listed on eBay, sold in a yard sale, donated, or thrown away.
1. Is the item new or in mint condition?
If the item still has tags or was bought recently, then you should list it on eBay. New items almost always sells well on eBay. I have actually profited on new clothes and new rare DVDs on eBay. New items don't do so well at yard sales and flea markets since the market is several times smaller. It is less likely that the item will sell for a high price there.
If the item shows signs of use but works or looks good, then I would put it in a yard sale, put a For Sale sign on it, or take it to the secondhand store. A secondhand store tends to be more profitable for used items (especially clothes) since it does not cost anything to sell them there. It's much less of a hassle to bring items to the secondhand store then to sell them on eBay, ship them, and pay the extra charges for listing the item. You also don't have to worry about losing money if the item does not sell.
If the item is in terrible condition, throw it away or sell it for scrap metal. More often then not, severely damaged items usually don't sell on eBay unless they are listed in a Power Seller's store. Actually, they usually don't sell anywhere with the exception of bringing cars to the local crusher. Even nice cars that are badly damaged are worth hardly anything at all
2. Is the item in season?
Selling items at the wrong time on eBay can sometimes cost you money. I suggest not selling sweaters in summer or lawnmowers in the winter since the demand is very low. People will bid on these items, but on average the bids be higher if it is the season to buy the item. I would wait to sell these items when the right season comes if you plan to sell them on eBay. I don't see no problem in selling these out-of-season items in yard sales since there is no financial loss if the item does not sell.
It is better to sell winter items when the grass is brown, not green.
3. Is the item popular?
Even though an item shows signs of use, if it is popular then it will sell very well on eBay. Video games and DVDs less than a year old do very well on eBay. Clothes that are in style, that are considered vintage, or have a click in society also do well even if they are not brand new. If the item is not popular, then I'd sell the item locally. Some items sell better in a local market such as lawn equipment, plants, and inexpensive hardware tools. It may pay to do some research to check on the popularity on eBay, though.
Colorful armwarmers are popular in the punk click of the US.
4. Will this item be a hassle to ship?
Big, heavy items like TVs and furniture are always a pain when it comes to shipping. Finding large boxes can be troublesome at times. Also, some items may require freight shipping which is extremely costly. There is always the option of driving the item to the buyer yourself, but that is a hassle too. The item can always be listed on eBay with local pickup required. Don't put the beginning bid price too low on these auctions. This can lead to a major loss if there are few interested buyers in the area. Sometimes the amount of effort put into shipping an item can be well worth it though. If the item doesn't sell, then see what the local secondhand store or pawnshop will offer for the item. The best thing might be seeing if anyone in the family wants the item, or donating it to the local Goodwill store.
Shipping a large TV can be a hassle, but sometimes it is worth while.
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