Getting Rid of Excess Media Inventory

(Books, CDs/DVDs)

by Maxsamedia

So you've got a basement full of stuff, and you've triaged it all for selling possibilities.  Lots of stuff ready for photos and TurboLister, but unfortunately, some things are too common or they're damaged, or just not really worth the time to do up a listing and photo for.  What to do, what to do. You can't just let it pile up down there, collecting dust.  How can we get rid of it in an efficient way, maybe recoup our money spent or even make a profit on it? We can sell, trade or donate it ... (I deal with mostly media items, so that is what I will concentrate on.)

SELL:

Lot it up for ebay.  If you have many of the same types of things, could they be lotted up for a wholesale listing?  Give it a try. Sometimes things that don't move in singles will fly if in a lot. Vintage children's paperbacks selling for .01 separately may go better if in a lot of 10, especially if they have a similar theme (horses, witches, historical fiction, etc.)

The Ever-Popular Garage Sale.  A great way to clean out the house, and your excess inventory too! You may not make a profit, but you'll probably recoup your money. I bought a box of assorted Christmas ornaments to resell on Ebay, but I just didn't have the time or energy. Sold them at my garage sale for $1.00 each, I sold most of them, about 15. Considering I paid $3.00 for the whole box, I actually profited a bit!

The Flea Market. If you're more adventurous, try a flea market booth.  You'll get tons more customers. But then you have to truck everything out there, instead of just toting it up from the basement. Plus you have to deduct the fee for the space. If you have enough to make it worth your while, I say go for it. Might work well if it's just a once a year cleanout.

Check for Buyers in the Paper.  Very often, people will advertise in the classifieds that they buy Records, CDs, Books, etc.  They will also advertise on Craigslist.  I have found listings for specific items (Airline related items, Judaica) to generalities (All Records Bought!)

Other Buyers.  At my recent garage sale, I had three people give me their business cards: one who buys Classical Music CDs, one who buys popular DVDs and one used bookseller with a brick-and-mortar store.  So that's three more selling sources for excess stuff I don't feel like listing.

Other Ebayers. If you really don't want to sell it yourself (you've got too much new inventory to deal with) maybe someone else can do it for you. Drop it off at an ISoldIt or other store. You'll only get a percentage of the selling price, but you'll save all that time. So which is more important, your time or your money? You can even get another family member to do it, and pay them the fee. A great way to recruit your older kids or inlaws into the world of Ebay and business itself.

SELL/TRADE:

Used bookstores/CD stores.  Excess paperbacks or CDs can be brought to these stores for trade-in credit, or some places may pay cash.  Again, check your yellow pages and internet for nearby stores and ask about their policies.   I keep a box ready for anything to go to the store, and bring it down when it's full.

Consignment shops. These are great for clothes, linens, and some furnishings.  Check your yellow pages or the internet for some nearby stores, and see what they specialize in. They give you a percentage of the selling price.

TRADE:

Online Trading Sites.  Books, CDs, DVDs, VHS, Books on Tape, Video Games can all be traded on several sites around the web.  You can trade a common CD for something more interesting, or something you want to listen to. Usually you can only trade like for like (i.e. a CD for a CD).

DONATE:

Thrift Stores.  To just be rid of it, drop it off at your local thrift store. You can even get a tax deduction. Or if it is a small church-run type place, you may get brownie points for future purchases.

Freecycle.  This site is fabulous. You just post what you want to give away, and you choose who you want to come and pick it up.  You can get rid of anything this way. Just about every community has one. I keep a few boxes ready for things to give away. One has changed CD cases, scuffed and cracked but still usable, as a friend of mine can use them. The other is for anything I don't want to or can't sell, trade or donate elsewhere. When it's full, I post it and put it out for the recipient.

Library. Books, CDs, VHS, DVDs, etc can go to your local library. Check first to see if they accept donations, some do not. Whatever they don't use for the collection, they can sell for library funds. Tax deduction!

Nursing Homes. If you have any Large Print books or Books on Tape/CD, give them to a nursing home. People there may have low vision, so these types of materials are always welcome. Again, you can probably get a tax deduction.

Reuse. If you can't sell it, can you use it? Can a family member? Those cute drinking glasses you thought were collectible but are copies, can you use them in your kitchen? That great vintage purse you thought was valuable but isn't worth $5.00, carry it yourself!

Recycle. If there is anything truly worthless, broken beyond repair, or otherwise unusable, can it be recycled? Paperback books can go in the recycle bins, hardcovers cannot. CDs/DVDs and cases can be recycled, but thay have to be sent somewhere special. I found a company, Greendisk, that can recycle your cases and disks. For a small fee, they give you the box to fill, then do the shipping and processing. Great!  Clothing/Linens can be donated to be shredded and reused (I think Goodwill does this with unsellable clothing).

So don't fret if you get stuck with some duds. You can usually find a home or a use for anything. Set up a kind of system for "unebayables", so you can get rid of them easier and faster. The boxes seem to work well for me: one for the cases, one for the freecycleable, one for the books to go to the bookstore, etc.