There are many items in your home that you can sell or donate for a tax write off instead of tossing in the dumpster.

Sell valuable items a la carte

1) Sell your old iPod or other electronics on BuyMyTronics.com.

2) Sell your unwanted clothes at a consignment shop or head over to your local thrift store.

3) Sell old cell phones through SimplySellular.com, which gives you an estimate online then sends you the cash in about 45 days. (My old RAZR is worth $12.)

4) Sell books to your local used bookstore.  (I received $19 in cash for a short stack of books from my Mom’s attic. Recent books in good condition got the best rates.)

5) Vintage electronic equipment and furniture can fetch nice prices on Craigslist.

6) Sell unwanted gold jewelry to a local pawn shop.

7) Sell the rest at a garage sale

If priced right you can sell file cabinets, new office supplies, decorative pillows, dishes, cups, utensils, small appliances, pots and pans, chairs, gently used furniture, electronics, CDs, books, artwork, mirrors, clothes, bicycles, musical instruments video games, toys. At a garage sale, pretty much anything goes.

To guarantee success:

• Make sure items are very clean and well organized.
• Advertise at major intersections and on Craigslist. Mention specific brands and other salient details in your Craigslist post.
• Join forces with a friend if your location is poor or if you don’t have too much to sell.
• Price items at no more than 50% of what you paid or at 25% or less if the item is clearly used.
• Be flexible if buyers want a deal. Remember how good it feels to talk someone down in price? Allow some room for dropping your prices.
• By 11 a.m. if traffic slows cut your prices by half. Wouldn’t you rather sell a shirt for $.25 than drag it to Goodwill?

Donate whatever does not sell

Goodwill

Salvation Army

Call your local house of worship or school to check if they are collecting items.

Tagged: Home and garden, thrift stores on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 · 3 Comments »