I know that many people sell there unwanted items through Craigslist or Ebay but does anyone else know of another way (besides those or a garage sale) to sell items to people locally? I am a little scared to use Craigslist since there have been so many criminal issues lately and with Ebay it seems like I pay more to post my items and to ship them (since I say "free shipping") then it does to even make a profit.
These are not items that I make but items like books, baby stuff (but not very much of it), more or less lots of maternity clothes, other women's and mens clothes and misc household items that I want to sell.
I don't try to sell anything anymore. It's not worth the hassle for the few pennies you seem to make anyway, specifically at a garage sale. We give everything to Goodwill. And if it's too big to put in the car, we put it on the sidewalk with a "free" sign on it and 99% of the time someone takes it! I have used Craigslist in the past and would do that over Ebay. Good luck!
You would make the most money by selling on craigslist. You can have the person meet at your house but have the items in the garage or driveway and only have the person meet when it's daylight and have a friend or significant other around. Never allow the person inside your home and make sure you have change available on you if it's a cash transaction. I do this all the time and have never felt I was in danger.
You can try bringing your items to a consignment shop. You could also put an ad in your local paper, for safety you can just give a phone number and then agree to meet somewhere.
Although you don't get the money up front, you could donate items to charity and claim the deduction on your tax return.
Do you mean for stuff that you just want to get rid of, or products that you make that you want to sell? I've purchased stuff from Craigslist, but usually meet the person at a public location to exchange cash for stuff.
Re. selling products you make, I work as a membership salesperson for an online store - our members can sell their products in our store as part of their membership. If this is a resource you're looking for, let me know and I'll get more information to you. :)
Honestly if you want to make money and sell local craigslist is your best bet. You can always meet at a safe location, not your home. Literally millions of peole use Craigslist everyday very safely. Another case of the media bringing us the horrible story that is a freak event. People are robbed at ATMs all the time but you don't stop using them, you're just smart about it, right?
I like resale shops because it's quick and easy. I take my kids clothes to one in Geneva called Good Cents, or Once Upon a Child. My women's and maternity clothes go to "Clothes Mentor". This fall I am hoping to be a seller at our church's Childrens Resale. I agree that ebay is a hassle! Whatever the resale shops don't take, I donate.
Are you talking about baby/kids items? You could try and find a consignment store in your area , I have done this. I am also a member of a local moms group and you can sell stuff on the website for that.
Ebay has a classifieds section: http://chicago.ebayclassifieds.com/
It's like craigslist but is supposedly "safer" as there is nothing but sales and it's run by Ebay. However it's local like craigslist so you can arrange pick up instead of worrying about shipping.
Here in Albuquerque we have some great consignment shops that specialize in selling baby, childrens, materinity and womens things. You take your things in and they give you cash or credit (you get more credit). They accept everything from clothes to furniture, room decor to unused formula, books to toys. I'm sure you have something similar in your area. I sell all my kiddos clothes there and that is the money I use to buy their new clothes.
Try Once Upon A Child. There is one by Spring Hill Mall in Dundee. You won't get as much as you would if you sold them on Craigslist or Ebay, but you will at least make something! You just have to take the clothes that are in season, they don't accept out of season stuff. Drop off a bag and they'll sort through and tell you how much cash they will give you. They will also return what they don't want and you can donate it.
Once Upon A Child takes clothes, books, toys and baby stuff like cribs, walkers, strollers, etc.
Personally I freecycle my stuff (freecycle.org) because then I know it's going to someone in need and I can personally give it to that person. That's worth more to me than cash, plus I've gotten some great stuff from freecycle myself!
I don't worry about Craig's List too much. You just need to meet people who want to buy your wares in VERY public places, in the day time, at peak hours. Like lunch at lunch or dinner time when most people are out and about grabbing a bite to eat at the local strip-mall or town-center; or even at the food court of a mall. And you could have a friend or husband go with you without telling the buyer. Criminals tend to not want to make any rash descions when more than one person can identify them.
