[jeliphish]

DH and I are following Dave Ramsey pretty hardcore right now, and I want to start minimizing my lifestyle even more. I am thinking about all the things I have that I could sell on Craigslist. Is it easy? Can it be profitable?

 

[SeekingJoy]

I buy toys and baby gear at garage sales and one craigslist and then sell for at least (if not more than) what I paid.

 

[avendesora]

It's pretty easy. Write up your description, wait for emails. They come to you to pick up. You just have to make yourself available. I always offer reasonable prices so I don't have to haggle.

It works better for bigger items. For example, I'm selling a sling that I no longer use, and the only woman who's interested in it lives an hour away. She's not going to drive 2 hrs to save $40 on a sling. For bigger items, it makes more sense for the buyer to travel a little. For smaller baby items, a consignment shop might make more sense.

I sold a double stroller in under 24 hrs. Some of my other things have had zero interest.

Aven

 

[Delicateflower]

What do you mean by profit? I don't think that buying things at thrift stores and reselling on craigslist is the way to make money, but instead of donating it's reasonable.

 

[SleeplessMommy]

We have sold extra furniture (and a dented lawn tractor) on craigslist and done good with that ... but "profit" if not the goal - decluttering is. I have been very happy with CL for getting rid of vintage furniture.

 

[ollineeba]

As a pp mentioned, I have used Craig's List more for decluttering purposes. I don't see things moving too quickly these days so I'm not sure that it would be a great place to make much of a profit.

 

[jeliphish]

Yeah, I guess basically I would be decluttering more than anything...and I guess I consider "profit" making a little extra cash. $20 here and there would be a "profit" for me because it would all be going into a savings account. Consignment shops around here barely pay anything...for good stuff too. I had an un-used boppy that they only offered $4.50 for.

 

[newbymom05]

I've made some money selling my things, but since I've sold them usually at 40-50% of what I paid, I'm not making a profit, per se. But I've bought things from a woman who must make money at it, b/c I see her ads all the time, and I assume she's one of those ladies I see at garage sales or the thrift store, filling up a cart. IME pictures are the most important thing--I know I won't even email if there aren't pictures of the item for me to see.

 

[traceface]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeekingJoy I buy toys and baby gear at garage sales and one craigslist and then sell for at least (if not more than) what I paid.

Why would you do that if you weren't getting more than what you paid?

 

[1growingsprout]

I use it to declutter and in our area the listings are getting over posted so its getting harder to unload items. I have found that key items sell (little tikes, strollers, baby stuff in general) and they must be reasonably priced. I am also willing to take offers on stuff i just want gone.

 

[hillymum]

I have been surprised at how well toys and children's equipment have sold. Clothes have also gone quite quickly. I think the thing to do is have a good picture and a reasonable price. That doesn't mean undercutting, but just putting a comparable price on an item. I also add a few dollars to the price so I feel comfortable going down. Clothes sell best in a bundle.
If I haven't sold something on the first post within 3 days I will delete that post and do another. There aren't many items I haven't managed to sell, and the cash has been a pleasant extra.

 

[sbrinton]

We've had great luck selling things we don't need on Craigslist. We've also bought many things on Craigslist. I don't think I would put a lot of effort into turning it into a business, but in my opinion it's a great way to get rid of stuff you no longer need. We've sold clothes, baby gear, furniture, computer equipment, camera lenses, electronics, household items like bedding and table linens, toys, etc.

We've bought furniture (almost all the furniture in our house!), a bike, kids clothes and toys, several Christmas trees, speakers, etc.

I don't think I would look at it as a business, but it is a great way to get cash for stuff you don't need. The "free" section is great for getting rid of things you can't really sell anymore (we've been amazed how many people will show up for an old dresser or a beat up yakima box!!).

 

[Chloe&Coop'sMom]

We use Craigslist to sell stuff all the time. It is a great way to get rid of unwanted stuff. I know that CL in different areas are more active/used more than in other areas though.

And, we do pick up stuff at garage sales or thrift stores to resell on CL. If I find a Bumbo at the TS for 2.99, its worth it to me to spend five minutes taking a picture and writing an ad, so that I can sell it for $25. I'm always on the look out for toys, outdoor equipment, strollers and what not that I can resell. I make a decent amount of extra cash doing this.

 

[SeekingJoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by traceface Why would you do that if you weren't getting more than what you paid?

I buy used, use it more, and then sell it off. Sometimes I make money. Sometimes I don't. I can count on one hand the times I have lost money -- out of hundreds of items bought and sold.

I don't buy and sell with a profit motive. My primary interest is obtaining the things (clothing, baby carrier, baby gear, diapers, etc) I want and need for our family.

 

[HydeParkB]

I found a playhouse at a garage sale for $15 or $20. I know that if and when I sell it on CL, it will probably get at least $75. Because I was shopping for them, and couldn't catch one under $125 within a 45 minute drive.

I think someone with access to cheap garage sales or thrift stores can selectively buy to sell on CL, but I personally don't know if I would want to try. If I were, I would start out with a base dollar amount to spend on stuff ($20), and just recycle the proceeds. So I couldn't buy any more to sell, until I sold things.