Enough is enough - the great declutter

Aurora_2

Newbie - hi everyone . . .
Just reading about trying to declutter by selling things on eBay. I do this on an ongoing basis (but there always seems to be more, fnarr, fnarr) and it struck me one day that eBay must make a huge amount of money from the things people list which haven't a hope of selling . . . I've wasted money like that from time to time, detracting from the money I made when things sold, but now I always look things up on eBay before I sell them to get a better idea. If there are about 99 copies, for instance, of certain book titles with no bids on them why bother to list mine, the 100th? I have saved some money by not listing things, and taking them to the charity shop instead. (Or binning the total rubbish!)
Plus I think there is still a niche for the car boot sale, as people may buy things on impulse there because they like the look of it, but you wouldn't sell it on eBay because it wasn't a recognised "collectable".

r.mac_2

well today has had a slow start!

I think that todays main aims are to carry on packing up the house - I am doing it slowly one thing at a time and really sorting through things.

phizzimum

I feel so humiliated!

I just took a bag full of "stuff" to a the help the aged charity shop and was told that they didn't want it!

I know I shouldn't take it personally, the lady said they had more than enough stock and any more would be a fire risk etc...but even so, to have your donation refused by a charity shop seems the ultimate put down!

However, like most high streets, we're not short of charity shops. So I took my bag to a small local charity shop and they were happy to accept it.

Makes me wonder how I'm going to get on with my ebaying if I can't give the stuff away. maybe it's all us old-stylers having a clear out that's filled the charity shops up!

pigpen

Phizz.. We've had that before too.. so now I just take it to the one which looks like it needs the most stuff.. some seem to get loads of donations and others next to nothing. some of the lesser known charities.. and animal charities really struggle sometimes.. whereas others.. Barnardos and Help the Aged do quite well.

I am aiming to get another bag sorted today.. can't send hubby with just one bag.. he'll be walking all lop-sided lol.

pigpen

Aurora wrote: »

Newbie - hi everyone . . .
Just reading about trying to declutter by selling things on eBay. I do this on an ongoing basis (but there always seems to be more, fnarr, fnarr) and it struck me one day that eBay must make a huge amount of money from the things people list which haven't a hope of selling . . . I've wasted money like that from time to time, detracting from the money I made when things sold, but now I always look things up on eBay before I sell them to get a better idea. If there are about 99 copies, for instance, of certain book titles with no bids on them why bother to list mine, the 100th? I have saved some money by not listing things, and taking them to the charity shop instead. (Or binning the total rubbish!)
Plus I think there is still a niche for the car boot sale, as people may buy things on impulse there because they like the look of it, but you wouldn't sell it on eBay because it wasn't a recognised "collectable".

I do that too now.. check out the competition before listing.. I also look at the ended listings to see how much they have sold for in similar condition to my own.

amazon are ok for selling SOME books and stuff.. but their fees are astronomical and they never leave you enough money to post the item once they have taken their 'postage cut' which is really out of order.. I was left with 50p to post a big book which cost almost £3 to post.. which is naff when you know they charge £2.95 postage!! I did complain to them and got it refunded though..

ebid isn't bad.. I've shifted a few bits on there.

the local free-ads is not bad for larger items you don't the faff of posting!

DKLS

I have upgraded my old Ikea bedroom furniture to oak, which is coming today,:j
But what to do with the old ikea stuff, 2 wardrobes, 2, sets of draws and 3 other bitsI cant imagine it has any value, does anyone want this kind of stuff?, shall I stick it on freecycle as fire wood?

phizzimum

aw thanks pigpen...I needed to hear that!

As it was pouring with rain I just took the bag to the first shop I came to, I'll be more selective next time.

r.mac_2

DKLS wrote: »

I have upgraded my old Ikea bedroom furniture to oak, which is coming today,:j
But what to do with the old ikea stuff, 2 wardrobes, 2, sets of draws and 3 other bitsI cant imagine it has any value, does anyone want this kind of stuff?, shall I stick it on freecycle as fire wood?

put it on freecycle - you never know who might be interested. Nothing lost if no-one does. Good luck!

oh and enjoy your new furniture!

Fruball

Def put it on freecycle - I am in need of exactly what you are offering so I am sure someone in your area will be too.

irishwexford

I started straight after Christmas. We cleared the garage out as most of the junk just went to tip, I sorted our my clothes and have sack ready to be collected tomorrow by charity. I now know that the clothes in wardrobe all fit, do not need mending and are in outfits. No need to spend on new clothes. Need to sort out the mountin of photos on pc taken from camera, have load of discs but need to motivate myself. Bills folder need a good sort and loft but other than than things are not too bad.:rolleyes: