Ebay or Craig's List???

[Cali]

I've used Craigslist to sell TONS of stuff. It's better to deal locally, than pay E-bays fees and/or shipping.

Here's some good tips from my experience:
1. CASH or BANK CHECK/MONEY ORDER ONLY. Do NOT accept personal checks.

2. Be careful who you invite to your home. There's some creepy people out there (and I've met a few of them).

3. If someone is coming to your house to inspect or pick up anything - have a friend/relative/co-worker there as well.

4. Talk on the phone first before inviting them to your home. Be sure that you know who they are.

5. Take LOTS of CLEAR digital photos (from different angles) of what you're selling. Nobody wants to buy an old fax machine from your description alone.

6. Use Craiglist's e-mail service so you don't get spam.

7. DO NOT put personal information such as your name, address, or phone number in the ad.

On the plus side: I have sold TONS of old stuff on Craigslist for a higher price than I would have gotten had I sold it in a garage sale. It works - and there's NO FEES.

I have loads of stuff that I want to sell. I have never sold anything before so this information is great.

[robivi3]

Flamingo that is a great point, the rural issue. My last two items on CL I delivered after talking to the buyers and getting a good fell. Both transactions were very positive and I considered the price to be worth it. I just sold my Satellite Reciever and Mitsubishi VCR for $15 each on ebay and covered the S&H with no problem. The problem is that after the second time my antique (90 year old in working order) typewriter did not sell, even when I cut the price to $45.00. I racked up about $12.00 in fees including Paypal so worth it? Nah... netted about $18.00. I still did not want to throw away the items but am just tired to be honest, of giving stuff away. I just wanted to net afew bucks at least for a change.

Okay, edit and added

Ebay:
Typewriter 2X unsold $5.70
Reciever $2.41
VCR $2.36

Total $10.47

Paypal fees: $2.44

Total: $12.91

Net: $17.09

Added $1 for handling, no cost for shipping supplies, the dollar covered stopping at Office Depot on the way home to ship UPS. made $16 an hour? ugh.

[my4devils]

Some more searching around and brainstorming..........I found two HUGE maternity/children's consignment sales that are coming this spring in two neighboring cities. They even have an online set-up to tag all of your items (you set the price) and they pretty much take anything related to kids and having them. You get 70% of the profits and you can indicate that whatever doesnt sell can them be donated. This sounds pretty cool, easier than a yard sale and safer than Craig's list.

For non kid related stuff- my husband is going to arrange for pick-up/payment at his office. I really am NOT comfortable with people coming to my home. It is obvious that I have a house full of little ones and they are just way too many freaks out there!

[CindyLou]

Cragislist advice: Place the following in your ad (if a big item)...

"Cash and carry only. Sorry, no holds and no deliveries. Please come prepared with assistance to load your item, and the proper vehicle to carry the item. Thanks "

I've wasted way too much time showing people items only for them to say, yea, I want it can you hold it an I'll pick it up tomorrow...then they show up in a honda civic and expect me to help them load it.....ughhh.

I've sold things on both ebay and craigslist and choose craigslist first for big items that can't be shipped and ebay for any small items that can be shipped.

Good luck.

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

I've sold quiet a few items on Craigs List. It might take a few rounds to get your message out there, even with a picture. But don't give up hope, somewhere out there anothers mans junk is another mans treasure. AND a picture TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS. Don't promise anything - first come first serve, you'll always get the calls and promises of money, but I tell them NO HOLDS, first come first SERVE. Why wait for $100 in a week when you could have $100 in an hour. Thats the breaks, I had a lady wanting my brand new bird cage, lived out in bum fart Egypt and wanted me to hold the cage, I said sure. But the next caller said he'd come out in an hour or two w/the $200 cash in hand. I usually set up a meeting near my house, an open area in the public eye (always be SAFE), even if the caller SOUNDS harmless one can never be sure! SAFETY FIRST!

Best to you CATCHMEIFYOUCAN

I stay away from EBAY if I'm going to sell anything, why pay a fee and its such a big hassel with shipping cost and what if the shipment gets lost or the purchase CLAIMS they never got it, etc etc etc. I'd rather keep my profits!

[SUB]

I'm another ebay old-timer. Almost 1000 positives, nearly all from selling. Hardly ever sign in anymore. The beginning of the end started when ebay took over Paypal. Paypal used to be a great alternative to having your own merchant account. Their Credit Card processing fees were about half that of most banks. Then little by little ebay became nothing but e-tailer types, with inflated shipping costs.

Not much experience with Craigslist. The few purchases I've made have been incredible deals though.

[Cali]

Ok I sold my first things on CL. I sold 2 cell phones I had and made some good money on them. I met the people at a public place, not too keen on people coming to my house.

I have some other things I want to sell too.

[BK2008]

Do you realize....that Ebay has a minority ownership portion in Craigslist and they're having a little nasty war over antitrust law..who did what to who...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080516/ap_on_hi_te/craigslist_ebay_lawsuit_2