Selling off Strollers

I haven't used Craig's List, but I have sold lots on Kijiji. Kijiji is local. I only accept cash, and I ask the buyer to bring exact change. I arrange for buyer to come when my husband is home, and I have the item ready at the door. If an item hasn't sold in a week or two I will repost it at a lower price.

I've sold several items -- and strollers -- on CL.

Tips:
1. Great pics, thorough description. If you don't smoke, put that in the ad.

2. Require in bold writing that all responses MUST include a phone number or you won't reply. That gets rid of most of the spam bots.

3. If items are in excellent condition, they'll generally sell for 1/2 of what you originally paid. You may want to list it for a little more than what you will ultimately accept. EVERYONE likes to feel like they dickered you down (I'm no exception!)

4. I like to include a link to the manufacturer's web page of the product. That way it lists all the details, size, etc. AND retail price.

5. Get the buyer's cell phone number. I like to verify on the meeting day that they still intend to meet. I've dealt w/ a lot of flakes in CL.

6. Set up a meeting location in a public area if you feel more comfortable than having them come to your house. If they come to your house, have the item in your garage before they arrive. I never let anyone into my house that I don't know personally. Most of the time I make sure my husband is home when the meeting takes place.

7. CASH ONLY.

Good luck and happy selling!

A good photo, honest description. Absolutely only accept cash, no exceptions. You can set the price, or make a suggestion and add "OBO" for "Or best offer."

Have someone with you in your home when the buyer comes to pick up. Make it at a time that is convenient for you - people don't always show up when they say they will. Make them work around you.

I don't like the Salvation Army because they discriminate in providing services to people, but if you can find a good organization in your area, a tax deduction can be a good thing. I think the larger organizations have a lot of overhead and a lot of the money they make from public donations goes to pay executive salaries. You can check out their credentials and make sure their values are in line with yours. There's a post going around on Facebook that is outdated and inaccurate, but if you go to snopes.com and search "executive salaries" or "charities" you will find an updated listing.

I try to give locally if I can. There is a Latino organization and cultural/educational center near us that has a "household item" pantry in addition to a food pantry, and I know that my donations to them go right back out to needy families. You could check with your local food pantry for referrals, or local churches or the family/children's service agency in your town - they usually know who's local and legitimate and in need.

You could also check for a children's resale shop - they pay cash up front, vs. a consignment shop which takes 50% and you have to wait for the money on a price the shop sets. (A lot pay on the 15th of the month after the month in which it's sold. That's okay for high ticket items. And it takes away the hassle of waiting around for prospective buyers.)

You can list it. Not sure what this brand goes for but you should be able to get about 50% of what you paid, maybe more, if it is in great condition. And yes, cash only. There are too many scammers out there. Also, you can check out bookoo. It is a bit more upscale or clean than craigslist. I have used it a couple of times for buying and selling. I don't get the spam load that I would get from CL and have not had no-shows or curiousity seekers.

I've sold quite a few items on Craigslist. I'm always surprised by what sells and what doesn't. I could list a $100 bike for $10 bucks and a rusty bucket of old screws for $20, and the rusty screws will sell first. Every time.

Anyway, upload a few pictures, indicate if the home is smoking or has pets, and be upfron about any problems with the item. If you remember what you paid for it you can mention that too so they know if they are getting a good deal. If your price is firm, say so. Otherwise expect them to whittle the price down when you meet them. Also, I'm not a fan of listing my phone number for contact. I usually tell them to reply back to my ad via email, and I have my CL email account set as a generic email address so no one knows my name once I respond.

And yes, meet in public! I usually will meet in the parking lot of a local restaurant or our dance studio. Be sure to state "Cash Only!"

We sell things on CL all of the time. The secret is a great photo. Be honest about any stains or any cracks. scuffs.. etc. Take photos in all directions.

We try to use words like, "Never used.", "Slightly used",
"Well used, but still in great shape."

"No smoking house hold." "No pet household." If these apply.. This is a selling point.

"Still has paperwork." "Still have original box."

Yes, only accept cash. If once they show up they try to bring you down on the price, you have every right to tell them no if you feel the price you set was fair. IF they point out a flaw you did not mention.. then consider coming down a bit. No one likes to feel they have been mislead.

You may even want to upload an ad for the brand new version with a price so people can compare, what a great price you are selling for.

If you are selling alone, meet up in a public location not your home.

OR if you are going to meet the person at your home.. Make sure you have your spouse or a friend there with you.

We have had great experiences selling and purchasing all sorts of things on Craigslist!

I love selling on craigslist. I agree with Laurie A. a great photo is imperative. Be honest about the condition and description. Let people know if it's from a smoke free or pet free home.

Yes, definitely specify cash. And if your price in non negotiable, post that your "price is firm". We usually allow some wiggle room. Either someone will pay a little more than we were hoping for, or we'll negotiate down and everyone is happy - they get a deal and I get what I really wanted.

The one thing I dislike about craigslist is that people are not reliable. Someone may say they are coming and then be a no show. Do not change your schedule or routine to meet someone, it could just be a frustrating venture. Cancellations and no shows are just part of it.

Decide on a safe selling spot. Most of our stuff we sell from our home. However, we never let anyone in. We always move whatever we happen to be selling into our garage. We let people meet us there. I try to set up times for when my hubby is home. If that's not possible, I call my neighbor and give her a heads up. She either comes out or calls to check on me. I have never even gotten a bad vibe from anyone on craigslist, but I think it is much better to be proactive and safe than a little sorry. When I buy from someone I don't go alone and I refrain from entering their house when possible. Some people prefer to meet in public places. If you choose to do that, just pick a location close to you and easy to get to, so it's not a hassle.

We love craigslist. We have made a lot of money from our junk and gotten a lot of steals on things we needed or wanted. Good luck.

We have sold a number of items via Craigs List.

Couple of suggestions...
1. Set up a temporary email account. The first time we sold something, we ended up with a TON of spam. The second time around we set up a Gmail account and listed that as the contact address.

2. Never meet in your home. Meet somewhere public. My husband met the people at the local gas station.

3. Only accept cash. You're talking about a stroller here, so at MOST $200. No need to consider anything other than cash.

It's pretty easy to do and we've had good luck selling items. We had a random unopened stereo (free with the purchase of something else) and our snow tires (moved to FL). We had no luck with "household items", so those became donations with tax receipts.

I was dropping off donations at the Salvation Army this morning and looked over the list of things they don't accept, and strollers is on the list. My sister used to sell quite a bit of stuff on CL but won't anymore because of safety. She knows someone who was selling something and agreed to meet the buyer in a public place and was still robbed.

I've been taking things to Once Upon a Child and they will give cash on the spot. I don't know how much they give for a stroller at all or an upscale one.

It's fine if you take precautions.
Ask for cash only and meet in a crowded place like in front of a shopping center. I bought a wheelchair for my father this way and it was great.

I sell on Craigslist and never have had issues.

Why donate when you can sell?

I always do cash or paypal only. Set the price a little bit higher than the lowest you're willing to take, because many people will haggle. Don't set it too high or no one will reply. See what comparable strollers are selling for and set your price a bit below that. Make sure you have several pictures and be honest about the condition that the stroller is in.

You may also want to check Facebook and see if there are any baby & kids resale groups in your area. We have a great one where I live and I've had a much easier time selling there than I ever did on craigslist.