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Before the Auction: Selling Strategies for Spring-Cleaning

Every year, as the trees begin to bloom and love (and pollen) is in the air, we commence the cultural ritual known as spring-cleaning. It's practically a calendar event for some folks, who clamber into the deep recesses of their garages, attics, and other such crawl spaces to retrieve and remove the clutter in their lives. And though garage sales and flea markets routinely feature the excess acquisitions in our lives, so too do online auctions. If you're ready to get serious about your spring-cleaning (whether it's springtime or not), here are some points to ponder that could help your efforts pay off in more profitable ways than you might have first considered.

Justify Your Stuff
If you're simply sick of looking at all the junk that has found its way into the corners and crevices of your living space, drag it out--but not to the curb just yet. If you've been hanging out at the online auctions, you probably have a good idea of what items are getting good bids and you'll know whether the stuff you have is on the "most cherished" list. Not sure? Then log on to your favorite auction site and search for items similar to what you've just unearthed--you'll quickly learn how much demand is out there and what people are willing to pay for that unassuming item you would just as soon unload.

Although you can't be assured of making a quick fortune, you'd be surprised the amount buyers are willing to pay to take that clutter off your hands.

Research the Promising Pieces
It does sometimes happen--sellers do come across an item or two that easily could command a significant chunk of change. If you think you've uncovered such a holy grail, do your homework before you offer it up for auction. Find out whether it's something you should clean up before selling (but remember that some items are seriously devalued by doing so). Determine the origin, originality, and obscurity of the item. Whenever possible, find out about other items similar to yours--that will help you associate it with other such treasures, especially if your find is something of a "missing link."

The research you do will not only better educate you about the item and its value, it also will allow you to create a highly informative and well-schooled item listing that shows potential bidders that you're well-educated about what you're selling.

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