Selling Stuff on Craigslist, Resale Shop or Ebay Etc.

I have used craigslist to sell many items but craigslist got too big. I posted a similar question several months ago & was introduced to BOOKOO.com. It's just like craigslist just way better. Just today I bought my son a pair of NorthFace winter boots on bookoo. I have never had any scammers on bookoo but got them all the time on craigslist. As far as bigger items, I say put it in your garage so people aren't coming in your house & have another person their with you. Regarding your clothes, I know on 38 in downtown Geneva there is a resale shop but I don't know the details. I think it's easier to sell bigger items & not as easy to sell clothes. Maybe wait till garage sale season to sell the clothes.

Ebay can be a hassle because of shipping and costs...I would look for secondhand shops.

We just got our kids a 7ft air hockey table for Christmas. My husband and a friend went to pick it up from a single mom. She had it in her garage so they did not need to go in her house. I need to get rid of some bigger toys too and am thinking I am going to put them on Craigslist too!

Ive sold furniture on craigslist. It sells fast like the same day or at most 2 days. Just make sure to put clear pics and price it to sell. Alot of people try to get almost what they pay and end up reposting. I didnt care for ebay because you still have to pay regardless if it sells or not. I cant speak from experience but I imagine clothes are a little different;a little more difficult. I notice alot of people sell in lots but I lose interest browsing after awhile.

The first time I sold furniture I was really uncomfortable with people coming to my home but Ive never had any trouble. Just make sure its during day and maybe someone can be there with you. Maybe if you have a garage move the items there so potential buyers will not have to actually come into your home.

Beware when putting your personal email in posting on craiglist because you will get alot of spam. I used to thinking it would be eaiser but it turned into a major headache.

I put and buy alot of things on craigslist. I picked up alot of things for my son off craigslist. I have also sold many things on there, i like it cause its free! I have also sold things on ebay but that was a few years ago and it irratates me that you have to pay for it even if it doesnt sell! I have also sold a few things at resale shops, but the kind that gives you cash up front not money when it sells....good luck!!!

When I looked into Ebay I decided against it. Between the hassle of shipping and the percentages they took, very little money would have been made. Resale shops usually pay very little...so little that it would be more profitable to have a garage sale.

I use and sell on craigslist all the time. I have sold everything from furniture to my car using craigslist. There are a few safety precautions I take. I never meet anyone when I am alone and no one EVER comes into our house. I haul everything in the garage up front near the door and do all my transactions out in the open. I have never once felt uncomfortable or weird, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. I always make people work around my schedule. One of the downsides of craigslist is people can be flakey. They will set up a time only to be a no show, which is especially frustrating when I changed my plans...so I don't any more. I always ask for cash. I always post my price a little higher than my asking price, so there is negotiation room. I have noticed that if people pay less than it's posted, they feel like they are getting a bigger deal and are less likely to walk away. Be cautious of emails that say they are contacting you in reference to "the items" you have posted (with no mention of what those items are). Those are often fishing expeditions trying to find people to scam. I am cautious, but have had nothing but good luck with cl...I have made some money and found great deals too!

I am a fan of Craigslist personally, it just seems easy to me, on large items like the couch you can specify that the buyer is responsible for pick up and transport...also look into to "local" groups I post stuff on notquitefree and Yahoo has a local one Joplincafe ( for me ) what is nice is that the people are seeing your listings are local ( like Craigslist) I just do not like to deal with any kind of mailing...I will say that I price most of my things "to sell" or garage sale type prices, so I am not making a lot of money doing this, but other than some of my time, its worth while because it is stuff I would be tossing otherwise.
Also if you want to "donate" but do not like to drag stuff somepalce, look into a freecycle group.

From what I've seen it really depends on your area how good the market is for Craigslist. Here in DFW -- for instance -- I've noticed higher prices then in Austin (where my brother lives) when I was helping him find some nicer furniture. You also have to deal with a lot of flakey, weird people via craigslist. Lots of people will say they are on their way and won't come, lots of people will try to get your item for free, scammers, spammers... but no listing fees and you're definitely going to get more then a consignment shop.

I would list the couch on Craigslist - make sure you list with good pictures. Be honest about the age and any flaws. Check prices so you can price realistically for what you have. Don't "hold" your item for anyone. Don't post your email or phone number. You can decide who to contact/call back. If anyone makes you uncomfortable - you don't have to give them your address. The other option is to see if you can get a Google Voice invite. You can use Google Voice to screen calls and post that number in your ad. When giving numbers out to strangers -- Google voice is the way to go :)

Good luck!

I've used Craigslist and e-bay and had great experiences with both. With Craigslist...others are right...lots of spam, but also lots of people who are serious about purchasing items. I've also held items for a day or two b/c people can't leave work to come get a couch at 1:00 in the afternoon. I've never had a problem. I also make sure someone is with me...always better to be safe.

As for clothes...people usually want it cheap. Ebay is good if you have brand name (Gymboree for example.) My girlfriend has made a ton of her money back by selling her daughters used Gymboree clothes on e-bay. She says that e-bay is really only profitable for clothes if they are higher end. She lives in Geneva too and I know she sells those types of clothes on e-bay over the resale shop. Good luck.