To Craigslist or not to Craigslist - Downsizing Step 3

People are asking me how I am getting rid of things...well the answer is not yet.  I am systematically going through rooms and separating stuff to be sold or given away.    That wonderful pile of stuff is starting to fill up the side of the garage where I used to park our car.  I figure that would be good training for  getting used to a life with no garage - at least I have a driveway and no need to look for street parking!

So, the stuff to sell I figured I would try craigslist and/or the Rye Moms Sale facebook page.  I even tried ebay but I have to say that craigslist has been the most effective, while the Rye Moms facebook page has been a hit or miss - although today I sold a 6-person camping tent (a disastrous wedding shower gift)  in less than 2 hours from posting!

Craigslist is a digital classified ad.  Pretty simple but you have to post and re-post to stay on top of the running list.  I sort of forget and repost every 4 days or so - but it works because people search and all matches come up so as long as you are on the top 25 or so items you are ok.    For a list of my "active" items on sale on craigslist please click here.  

So why wouldn't you sell on craigslist?   Some people are afraid of dealing with strangers - especially because it's a known fact that scammers are everywhere.  But with paypal & cash sale, this sort of goes away.   I have to say that (knock on wood) I have not had any bad experiences with craigslist buyers.   On the contrary it's been fun to meet all sorts of people - like the Chinese family from Queens who bought the ping pong table for their 7 year old to follow the mother's steps.  They spoke in Chinese as they struggled to get the table on top of a minivan ill equipped to secure the table.  

And today, I was able to sell my 8 yr old elliptical to a gym equipment retailer who will refurbish it and make a profit in the resale.  Its a win-win although I wish I didn't have to give such a huge discount to get rid of it!    But it went and with it, a cooler that was sitting in the pile of things to sell or give away.  I mention it to the delivery guy who picked up the elliptical and he quickly asked about a few things and walked away with a new cooler for $10.  He was happy - and also let me know of the sofa he would buy when I am ready  -- there he goes!

So little by little stuff is starting to move.  The strategy is - bigger things try to sell online --- smaller stuff wait for a Tag Sale before we move in the Summer.      Welcome any other ideas!