Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Hey folks. We are going to move by the last week of April and I need to sell a lot of stuff. I live in a city flat -no garage and no friends with a garage - and I have furniture and things that I need to sell... god, I have go much stuff to get rid of. We are returning with some books, clothes, linens, a collection, some knick-knacks, a few other necessary items, all in boxes. All my furniture, my piano, TV, anything with a plug, everything needs to go away down to the last superfluous bottle of shampoo. I can't just give everything to charity because we do need the money to move (I was laid off last week). Is there time, in the next six weeks or so, to list on eBay and Craigslist? What do you suggest?

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Where do you live? If in a large urban area you might have a chance using Craigslist, Kijiji, etc. But if in a smaller area with fewer perspective buyers you will have less of a chance of selling.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Look at consignment stores. They are very good at unloading furniture, mirrors, sets of dishes, etc. Craig's list is great for selling anything. Every time I have used it, the stuff has gone in a flash (if priced correctly).

Sorry about your job. :frown:

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

In my limited experience Craigslist posts have a very short half-life. If you post today, you can/ should repost a week later for anything you haven't sold, so yeah, there's plenty of time. EBay always sounds like a lot of faffing around, and may take longer.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Thanks, folks. I'm stressed out but we will prevail :D Colchar, I live in uptown Houston. Mallory, thanks for the word of support :) Pulaski, I appreciate the tip and I'll go ahead with Craigslist once I wake up better.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

I'm not sure where you live, but I'm in the same boat in Canada but I have 3 months to go. Our plan of action is to do a list for each room and decide whether we are going to attempt to sell or giveaway each item. We are also taking just boxes with us, and have electrical items and furniture to sell.

For selling I'm going to list on Kijiji (similar to Craigslist), and for any stuff that I don't think will sell, we are going to list the items on Freecycle. If you haven't heard of this before, it is a worldwide (I believe) website that allows you to list items you have available for free. People in your local community can see what you have, like Craigslist etc, and then you get them to pick up. Definitely worth investigating. We intend to list anything that doesn't sell on here first before donating it to the Goodwill or other local charities. Last resort is dumping!

You say you have 6 weeks to go. No time like the present. Get photographing your items and list them all today! Good luck.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Have you thought about a yard sale?

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

When the time comes an estate sale here..

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Is there a cash converters near you? They will buy certain items from you, obviously they don't give you top dollar but its an easy way to get something for your belongings if you can't sell them privately. Ebay is good for smaller items that can be shipped and you can post them in auctions to sell within a week. larger items are usually better for your local craigslist where people are willing to come and pick them up. You could also try posting things on local community bulletin boards at your gym, library, grocery store etc.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

No yard. :) But plenty of yardage (fellow fabric hoarders may now heave a collective sigh).

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

If you are in an apartment complex with a shared lift (sorry elevator), I'd do some piccies and prices and stick it up in there - we have bought some stuff from people moving out by doing that.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

I listed stuff on kijiji but didn't have much luck - the only thing I managed to sell was a crockpot.

I've ended up donating most of my stuff ... I've made peace with that (good karma!) - and its also made me change my relationship to stuff - I won't be buying a fraction of what I used to when I get back to the UK!

That said, it is hard parting with stuff for free or a fraction of what it cost - but I found that the more stuff departed my apartment, the more peace I had - it's stressful when you start to worry you might not offload stuff before you have to leave.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

Perhaps you could create a yard sale. Find a local community building that rents out a hall or big room, cheap, for a day. Then somehow (friends with trucks) get your stuff to the hall on your advertised date. Sell away!

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

I am in the same boat!
Have to offload lots of stuff but live in a poor country so not so many people with disposable income.

Most of our furniture and appliances arw going to my sister in law as she has just bought her first apartment.
But biggest stress is trying to sell my car, stereo equipment etc. Things will give us the money for the savings route. Well the last part to reach the Rediculous amount.

All very stressful!

Once the car is gone we'll have no means of transportation for the winter months. Not ideal when you have a four year old.
All thanks to the uk immigration rules again! ! Makes me so mad thinking about the sacrifices we're having to make. They have no idea.

Re: Getting rid of stuff before the move - overwhelmed
 

That is a very good idea. Items will likely sell for less than on Craigslist but they will sell more quickly and at least some cash will come in for them.