Selling stuff to make ends meet

[hamburgervol]

If a person is selling items on Craigslist such as tools, welders, and various other items, how is it looked upon by the Trustee? Especially if cash money is used to keep a checking account in the positive,help feed your family and, pay the bills?

[keepmine]

Many sell HH goods in an attempt to stay afloat. This is no issue at all. Trustees have no interest in used consumer products.
If, you are still paying on debts you'll discharge in bk, stop doing that and use that monsy for living expenses.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Many sell HH goods in an attempt to stay afloat. This is no issue at all. Trustees have no interest in used consumer products.
If, you are still paying on debts you'll discharge in bk, stop doing that and use that monsy for living expenses.

AMEN on "keepmine". Keep all reciepts and stop paying cc cards now, as you must save up for your lawyer. Remember, it is a business decission, and you have come to the right place for advice. 'Hub

[harvey66]

Many sell HH goods in an attempt to stay afloat. This is no issue at all. Trustees have no interest in used consumer products.
If, you are still paying on debts you'll discharge in bk, stop doing that and use that monsy for living expenses.

Really? So does that mean I don't have to list toasters, weedwhackers, power drills, etc as assets? Is there a rule of thumb as to what gets listed? I saw an attorney on a free consult and tried to ask him this stuff but couldn't get a straight answer out of him.

[lrprn]

Really? So does that mean I don't have to list toasters, weedwhackers, power drills, etc as assets?

No, you have to include all of these when you value your household goods on the bk forms.

Is there a rule of thumb as to what gets listed?

Most trustees will accept a blanket amount for all household goods. The average US household goods are worth between $3,000-4,000. Anything that has significant independent value - guns, artwork, jewelry, etc - then those are valued separately from your household goods.

Rarely a few trustees will require a complete listing of all your household goods item by item. Be praying you don't get one of these nit-picking trustees!

I saw an attorney on a free consult and tried to ask him this stuff but couldn't get a straight answer out of him.

This is exactly why you need to interview more than one attorney before settling on one. See at least 3-4 asking them all the same questions, then make up your mind about which one will represent you best. And often it isn't the cheapest one and also not the most expensive one either.

[harvey66]

Thanks. Appreciate the help.

[BigJohn]

I photographed everything and gave a value to each lot. Nobody has questioned what I dd nor the value I assigned to each lot.

[Brighterdays]

craigslist has been my friend lately, Oh and to answer the op's original question of how does the trustee know... "it is none of their frickin business." I gotta pay my lawyer with something!!

PS man does ebay's fees suck!! specially when you have to go through paypal!!

[BornAgain]

AMEN on "keepmine". Keep all reciepts and stop paying cc cards now, as you must save up for your lawyer. Remember, it is a business decission, and you have come to the right place for advice. 'Hub

As long as you can separate the wheat from the chaff. [shrug]

Disclaimer: Even attorneys sometimes give wrong advice.

[mamaluv]

craigslist has been my friend lately, Oh and to answer the op's original question of how does the trustee know... "it is none of their frickin business." I gotta pay my lawyer with something!!

PS man does ebay's fees suck!! specially when you have to go through paypal!!

Same here, I sold some stuff on Ebay, Craigslist & had a garage sale to come up with some my atty fees. And Ebay/Paypal fees do suck.

[BkinTX]

I had been selling things on CL to make a little extra here and there -- it's how I paid for Christmas. I have stopped selling as of my filing because I was under the impression that we were not allowed to sell or give anything away during the bankruptcy.

[Brighterdays]

I had been selling things on CL to make a little extra here and there -- it's how I paid for Christmas. I have stopped selling as of my filing because I was under the impression that we were not allowed to sell or give anything away during the bankruptcy.

Off topic, but watch out for using paypal. had a girl want to buy my xbox 360 and use paypal. When I asked her address to ship it to, guess where??? Nigeria. Sorry girl I wasn't born yesterday.

Anyhow, they steal someones Paypal account and then have you ship the mdse. you think what the heck I got the money, until it is disputed by the actual owner and then paypal charges your card/bank account or sues you.

thats why I like craigs list and remember, cash is king baby

[BkinTX]

I've only sold locally and always accept cash only. Too many shady people.

[BKBear]

Could not agree more...

[/QUOTE]
This is exactly why you need to interview more than one attorney before settling on one. See at least 3-4 asking them all the same questions, then make up your mind about which one will represent you best. And often it isn't the cheapest one and also not the most expensive one either.[/QUOTE]


I could not agree more. Trust your instincts on an attorney. Pay attention to how they are treating you when you call them and they don't know you from Adam. Are they responsive? Do they listen to you? Don't accept the highest bid, don't accept the lowest.

Remember, no matter how nice they may seem, they are in a business!

[harvey66]

I photographed everything and gave a value to each lot. Nobody has questioned what I dd nor the value I assigned to each lot.

Did the trustee want to see the pictures, or did you just whip them out before anyone had a chance to ask?

Did he come over and verify the pictures to make sure you weren't hiding an undeclared puppy in the basement?