Making a little $ off of used kids stuff

[Anonymous]

Hello. I have a tons of kids stuff that is still in great shape and thus should have some financial value. I'm obviously not thinking I'll make a ton of money, but some extra cash would come in handy. I do mass clean, purging and downsizing a few times a year. What's the most efficient way to get a little extra $ from the stuff still in great condition? Ebay, craigslist or big consignment sales (such as Classy Kids Consign)? You pay fees with Ebay and have to mess with going to the post office of wherever. I've used craigslist in the past but the constant emailing back and forth to set up a pick-up time gets annoying. Anyway, which method have you found to be the most efficient and least time consuming? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I've done Craigslist for larger items like strollers -- basically if I'm going to get $50 or more it's worth the hassle. But honestly, after reading the thread about growing up poor, I think I'm going to look into better ways to just donate our used stuff directly to people who need it. Sure we could use the cash, but the truth is we are lucky have everything we need, and the extra few bucks aren't going to make a huge difference for us. This is not a guilt trip -- your situation may be different and you may really need the money, and even if you don't, you are not obligated to give it away. It's just something that kind of hit me after reading that thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done Craigslist for larger items like strollers -- basically if I'm going to get $50 or more it's worth the hassle. But honestly, after reading the thread about growing up poor, I think I'm going to look into better ways to just donate our used stuff directly to people who need it. Sure we could use the cash, but the truth is we are lucky have everything we need, and the extra few bucks aren't going to make a huge difference for us. This is not a guilt trip -- your situation may be different and you may really need the money, and even if you don't, you are not obligated to give it away. It's just something that kind of hit me after reading that thread.

I grew up poor and I'm still poor. Sell it OP!

[Anonymous]

Good luck. I currently have two listings on CL's with no interest. If I were you, I'd look into consignment, donation for tax write off or gift to a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. I currently have two listings on CL's with no interest. If I were you, I'd look into consignment, donation for tax write off or gift to a friend.

I had great luck with Craigslist. I had a ton of clothes (two trash bags worth), and sold it for 150 dollars. I took a lot of pictures, basically laid everything on the floor and took pictures from above and at different angles. I mentioned the price of 150 cash, non negotiable. I had a lot of replies and eventually, chose one person because she would pick up the stuff the quickest. She was super nice and loved the clothes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. I currently have two listings on CL's with no interest. If I were you, I'd look into consignment, donation for tax write off or gift to a friend.

I had great luck with Craigslist. I had a ton of clothes (two trash bags worth), and sold it for 150 dollars. I took a lot of pictures, basically laid everything on the floor and took pictures from above and at different angles. I mentioned the price of 150 cash, non negotiable. I had a lot of replies and eventually, chose one person because she would pick up the stuff the quickest. She was super nice and loved the clothes!

How much time did it take you to prep things, place the ad, take pictures, have the people come over, respond to the ad?

Just wondering how long it would take?

[Anonymous]

To do it all in one swoop keep a look out for church rummage sales where you can rent a table and sell it there. More traffic than a home yard sale and less hassle than CL for small items.

[Anonymous]

i have done neighborhood yard sales and but out random toys, kitchen items, gifts i did not need/want. make between 50-100 dollars. Yeah, a meal out!

[Anonymous]

Donation to charity and get tax deduction.

[Anonymous]

I sell a lot of kids stuff through my neighborhood list serve. It's very convenient and easier to coordinate pick up and transfer of items than Craigslist since the folks buying live close by.

[Anonymous]

just FYI - Good Shepard catholic CHurch Moms group in Alexandria has a rummage sale where you can rent a table for $25.

[Anonymous]

"Donation to charity and get tax deduction."

This. I rarely receive responses to Craigslists postings, and if I do I'm usually offered an amount lower than what I'd get with the tax deduction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Donation to charity and get tax deduction."

This. I rarely receive responses to Craigslists postings, and if I do I'm usually offered an amount lower than what I'd get with the tax deduction.

Unless you pay the AMT. Then you might as well just give the shit away for free.

[Anonymous]

Kid's consignment shops do a lot of traffic and business largely because there are many, many people who cannot afford to do brand new everything for their kids. So some shop consignment for some things and others chop consignment for everything. And having kids will never go out of style.

OP--where do you live? That might help us give you recommendations of the best children's consignment shops local to you.

Here's one place to start looking:
http://consignmentmommies.com/ChildrensConsignmentSalesbyState

You can search by state or by zip code.

[Anonymous]

We have had good luck with our neighborhood list serve, the DCUM email list and a local mom's yahoo group. Otherwise we donate to charity and take the tax deduction or pass items on to a freind and follow the concept of pay it foward.