As an Ebay seller, I'm grateful that garage sales still exist. Some of my best finds come from them  and I can then offer them to my  buyers at a great opening bid price. It is a win/win situaton all around.

Garage sales aren't necessarily your best way to sell an item - on the other hand, sometimes Ebay isn't the best place to list or sell your item. Why? Because some items are prohibited (teachers' edition books) and others are simply too fragile or heavy to ship.

            To help decide whether you should Ebay an item, hold a garage sale or donate something, consider these factors:
1. Is it desirable to anyone? Do your homework. Look at current and completed auctions and then factor in fees. If you feel you have a decent chance of making a profit, why not go for it and try Ebay? You won't have to clean out your garage, worry about the weather on the day of your sale and lug unsold items back into the house. When it comes to time and energy, these are major advantages. Plus, by using the right keywords, you can attract the right buyers and target your buying market.

2. In most cases, Ebay offers advantages garages sales can not: people can stop by 24 hours a day, from all over the world, to view your items. I haven't yet found a garage sale open 24 hours and most last only 1-2 days. Ebay offers the option of up to 10 days per auction and the chance to relist and recoup some fees if the item sells. So you actually have at least a 20 day "window" of selling time on Ebay, giving MORE viewers a chance to see your item. If you sell in Stores on Ebay, you can list again and again, for a relatively small monthly fee.
                   People have bought items from me at 2, 3 or 4 in the morning. While I was sleeping, I was still selling items like this:

                         

3. If you have seasons in your area of the country, including HEAVY WINTERS, keep in mind that Ebay is probably your best bet for winter selling. In fact, I've found that sales go up as people are more housebound. Winter is a great selling season on Ebay! In contrast, you might want to hang on to those more fragile or heavier items and have a garage sale in summer. Who knows? I could be one of your customers as I'm always looking for wonderful finds to offer my customers.

4. Is it prohibited on Ebay? This is a no-brainer. If it isn't allowed, don't list it. To figure out whether your item is allowed, look here:
         Prohibited and Restricted Items

5. Can you find a way to wrap and ship the item? In most cases, the answer is YES but there are some exceptions. Also, some items are prohibited in certain countries so - again - do your research. Know what you are selling and who is eligible to buy it - and whether it is allowed to be shipped to certain countries.

I hope this guide has given you some help in deciding what to Ebay and what to sell at a Garage Sale. Finally, consider donating items that, for whatever reason, you can't list and don't want to put in a Garage sale. Somewhere there is someone who might be looking for that item! I've donated lots of books to families who can't afford to buy their own and can't get to a library.