What's the best way to sell unwanted items? Ebay, Craig's List or a yard sale?

As an experienced eBayer the answer is totally... it depends... If your selling something of shipable size, that has something "searchable" about it then eBay is probably the way to go. So if its got sports team logo's or video console related, something collectable or something nostaglic, eBay gives you the best audience. Do a search on current and completed auctions and you'll get an idea of whether there's an eBay market for it. If its too big to ship (maybe with the exception of a car).. like furniture, then the local Craiglist is probably the way to go. Craiglisters are looking local and would expect to have to pick up their items. If its run of the mill stuff, like old baby clothes, household knick knacks, old appliances, lots of low $ items... then a yard sale is probably best.

Ebay is much better than craigs list because ebay helps you regulate receiving your payment and you can report individuals who won't pay up. Good luck!

I don't know about Craig's List, but I know that Ebay charges for sales through them. A 'yard' or as we call them in Australia, 'garage' sale might be the best option. People like the face-to-face interaction with others, and also the opportunity to haggle. If you do this, be very careful. Have a few friends over, and limit the sale to the front of your yard. Allow no access to the back, because people will use the garage sale to 'case' your house out for burglary. Borrow a big dog if you have to and put him in the back yard. Advertise the garage sale in the local paper classifieds, and consider selling tea and coffee too, or just have a big cooler of cordial. People on a hot or cooler day will appreciate a drink, and will stay longer to browse before they get into their cars with a beverage. Charge $100 a cup or so, to cover the cost of the plastic cups, heating or cooling the water, and the tea, coffee, sugar, and milk. Get a few UHT milk cartons as a backup, too. If you don't use them, just make something with white sauce for tea to use them up, if you don't like the taste of UHT milk. Another option you have is the local newspaper. Some local newspapers (the ones that are mainly advertising material and are delivered free to your mailbox) have free ads in their classifieds for stuff under $100. My local paper does this. They sell everything from old kids bikes to baby rabbits, school uniforms, and old furniture. The good thing about the paper is that it's accessible to anyone who can read. A lot of oldies scour the classifieds for stuff to buy, and they don't really have access to the internet. Also, with this you don't have the postage costs that you'd get if you were mailing things across country, because people come to you. Just arrange an appropriate time, and only take people then. If you are interested in Ebay as an option, consider also going to second hand shops, and buying things deliberately that you know will sell well on Ebay. Look at what is sold through Ebay for a few weeks, and you'll get an idea of what things people will pay for. Then go to the secondhand or 'opshops' (the ones usually run by charities) and see if you can find anything suitable. Baby clothes, maternity clothes, old records, and homewares might be a good start. I'm sure if your budget is a bit tight, you're probably doing whatever you can at the moment to shave money off it. Feel free to email me if you want some tips. I'm in the same boat. Best wishes

I have had good experiences with Craigslist, Amazon and eBay. As long as the asking price is reasonable, and the item is properly described, you can find a buyer sooner or later. Yes, there are always flakes, but that is just a fact of life. I have encountered some, but the overwhelming majority of buyers ( and sellers ) have been honest, decent individuals. Every website has pros & cons, so check them all out before you use them. A yard sale is probably the most labor-intensive and least effective. You prepare like crazy, then spend hours in the hot sun, and people offer $1.00 for a Dining Set worth $100....things like that! Some even switch price tags on your items, then bring it to you and insist on buying it at that price.

yard sale

ebay is ok, if you want to put up with some buyers - mine have been pretty good! Be very meticulous about the description and all that kind of stuff. I suggest too that you check out www.blujay.com I hate setting up a yard sale - it's a lot of work, and people expect you to just give things away (this is my experience). You can also call your tax person to see about 'contributing' some of the items to a non-profit organization (homeless shelter) to get a tax break for 2008. PS if you have any YARN - contact me!!

E-bay all the way !

Yard sale. You have to pay for a listing and shipping costs with the other ways.

I think the best way to sell most of your stuff the fastest is to take it to a swap-meet or flea market. If you get there early, like 6am all the early birds will buy up all your stuff by about 9 and then your done. yard sales you have to be out all day and hope people come by. At a flea market there are tons of people looking for stuff.