pmelcher
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posted on August 8, 2006 06:37:19 AM new
I know this is sort of off topic but after your items (in my case, one of a kind collectibles) don't sell after 2 or 3 auctions on eBay? I have been boxing the stuff up and taking it to the local auction consignment house and doing fairly well. However the load I took yesterday the informed me their fees have changed. Now in addition to the 25% they will be charging $1.00 a 'lot'! A lot can be one item or a few like items sold together. This means if they get a final bid of $2.00 they get to keep $1.50 and the seller (me) gets only 50 cents. This is an outrageous fee hike! Should I group some like items together and put them up for a few dollars just to get rid of them or should I just take them to goodwill. I hate having yard sales so I guess that is out. This isn't terrible stuff, just less desireable I guess (since it did not sell). Things like planters, some jewelry, pressed glass, salt and peppers ect.
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pat1959
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posted on August 8, 2006 06:52:02 AM new
Take it all to Goodwill! Some other enterprising person will "find it"and try to sell it on eBay. That keeps both eBay and Goodwill in business!
Your contribution to the betterment of our capitalist society. 
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pmelcher
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posted on August 8, 2006 07:14:25 AM new
lol, that is probably true!
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roadsmith
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posted on August 8, 2006 10:16:48 AM new
IF you still itemize your taxes, do what I do with things that just won't sell. I donate them and take an honest value as a tax write-off. Emphasis on "honest." I keep a corner of my eBay office for things like that, plus items in our house that we don't want any longer, and I keep a running list of the items on a legal pad as I bag them. Once every quarter when I donate the items I ask for a donation slip, add up the value of that quarter's items, staple the list to the slip, and keep it for tax time.
Sometimes I bring things home from a yard sale or thrift shop thinking I'll research their value; half the time they're not worth selling on eBay.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on August 8, 2006 10:29:41 AM new
what to do with unsold items?
1-800-DUMPSTER
These things are not just worthless, they have a negative value the longer you hold onto and manage them.
Your time has value. The space in your house has value. That's easy to figure: your mortgage payment divided by cubic feet.
Let go. Be free.
fLufF
--
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pmelcher
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posted on August 8, 2006 10:52:54 AM new
Fluff...you must be able to see through the computer!! I have talked about just dumping it all and starting over again. I like the 'be free' idea because I tend to sell the 'new' stuff I get at the latest auction before going through the old boxes. But then I go through a box and find treasures I have forgotten about that sell right away. I do have a stack of things to go to Goodwill and take them about every other month. Need to clean out old stuff, the raise in live auction fees just might get me off my duff so I do it!
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birgittaw
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posted on August 8, 2006 11:16:42 AM new
I have a permanent box on my porch where any leftover/unsold glass or china gets tossed. Goes to a person who does crafts and stained glass. She is a single parent on limited income so I feel good about it not disappearing into the bowels of the landfill, but helping her out.
Twice a year I do a catharsis run to the local flea market. Everything is a dollar or less, regardless of how big or little. At the end of the day, or my rope, I drive off and put a free sign on the pile, and it all goes away. (I know this since I pull 50 yards away and watch the vultures dig!)
B/
[ edited by birgittaw on Aug 8, 2006 11:19 AM ]
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irked
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posted on August 8, 2006 01:53:22 PM new
You know even a free sign on a pile of stuff shows how people are rather picky in what they take. I find that funny. I had a garage sell and at end piled it all in boxes put it on curb with free sign on it had some lookers and went out when a guy stopped in a pickup and was looking and actually begged him to take it all away. LOL He agreed but ask what his wife would do with the stuff she didn't want Plus asked - duh - how much? ... LOL
**************
Well, aren't we a ray of sunshine.
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amber
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posted on August 8, 2006 02:17:21 PM new
I used to take mine to the local Salvation Army store, now they are limiting the amount you can take to one small box or plastic shopping bag. I guess far too many people are donating!
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Herbscraftsgifts
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posted on August 8, 2006 03:06:37 PM new
Post them on Freecycle in your city? What is freecycle you say - well it is a Yahoo group that attempts to keep things out of the landfill. Recycling of stuff - if you will!
There is someone who will want it. Alot of folks are needy and would like to have froo froo things that they can't buy but want to make a home.
We have alot of transient military here in Colorado Springs and they are always looking for stuff. I am sure it is that way in all cities.
Freecycle is fantastic to give and to get!!
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agitprop
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posted on August 8, 2006 06:52:07 PM new
When I get a pile of stuff I don't need or think will sell my first option is Craigslist, and ads in the local newspaper (free ads on Thursdays). If no movement then I take it to the local community college art department and they choose what they want for student projects like sculptures, collages, etc. Anything of use to students going flatting (sharing houses or apartments) is left on a street corner at night time - it's invariably gone before daybreak.
Home of the best eBay auction fee & PayPal calculators: http://auctionfeecalculator.com
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pmelcher
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posted on August 8, 2006 07:25:55 PM new
Good suggestions, I will look into freecycle and craigslist. I know about leaving furniture out a day or so before trash day, it always finds a new home fast. I have to admit in my younger and broke days I was known to 'shop' the alleys for things for my tiny apartment.
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bcpostcards
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posted on August 8, 2006 08:09:37 PM new
I like to do a yard sale, when I've enough accumulated here, with very reasonable prices. I actually enjoy doing a little easy-going haggling with the items I can. Several now-delighted lookers have gone on to make little piles for a bulk purchase, god love them. I always figure that if I like an item, then odds are that other people/pickers will think the same way too. Ebay is never mentioned by me if possible. If someone else mentions it I try to bite my lip.
Whatever is left over can be and is donated to a local thrift store.
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roadsmith
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posted on August 8, 2006 09:56:07 PM new
About 10 years ago, my husband and I were clearing out the 50-year apartment of his aunt, who had a lot of money but no taste. Among her treasures were two paintings on velvet--a clown and a horse. They were horrible. Behind the apartment building was the dumpster, so we carefully put those paintings on the ground leaning on the dumpster, figuring they might be gone in a day or two. An hour later we came out to find that they were gone already! We still laugh about that.
However, they're probably worth something now to certain (crazy) collectors, LOL.
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mikes4x4andtruckrepair
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posted on August 8, 2006 10:03:13 PM new
Didn't you know. Ugly painting's are worth the most. You probably threw out your future retirement fund, LOL.
 1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
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pixiamom
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posted on August 9, 2006 03:16:05 AM new
I live in an urban neighborhood, next door to Velveteria, a 'museum' of paintings on velvet. Bet they're hanging in there.
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roadsmith
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posted on August 9, 2006 07:42:33 AM new
I wouldn't be a bit surprised! Velveteria, eh? Sounds "cheesy" to me.
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on August 9, 2006 08:52:28 AM new
LOL Roadsmith - too cute.
If you ever get a nude on velvet painting don't even think about throwing it away!!! A fast search on ebay will amaze you.
pmelcher - I donate it too. Except jewelry - I put that in lots and list it cheap. I've even listed it in craft lots.
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