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What to Do With Leftover Rummage or Garage Sale Items

Updated on July 8, 2014

We've all done it, (or many of us have), we've had a rummage sale hoping to get rid of a lot of unneeded items and wind up having to tote most of it back to storage. It's frustrating right? Not to mention how the clutter seems to pile up sale after sale, collecting dust and robbing our much needed space. How can we stop this vicious cycle once and for all? Is there actually a productive place for all of our unwanted items to live?

GOOD NEWS! Below I've outlined just a few very good ways that you can rid yourself of all of your leftover rummage sale items or excess home clutter.  Some may be obvious while others you may not even have thought about!

PUT THE BEST ON EBAY OR CRAIGSLIST

 If you have some items that you feel may hold some real value to the right person such as baby items, antiques or musical instruments, try listing them on eBay or Craigslist.  This way you will target those that are in need of your particular item and will bypass those who aren't interested.  Both of these selling outlets have high success rates and you can usually pocket cash pretty quickly.  If you are selling on eBay you'll need to figure selling fees and shipping costs in as well.  Craigslist doesn't cost like eBay does but usually sells mostly to people in your local area and the buyer will pick the item up from you.

RUN AN AD IN YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

 In addition to eBay or Craigslist, you can also list larger items such as furniture or vehicles in your local newpaper.  Few just a few dollars per line you have the potential of reaching thousands of people in just one day.  Be prepared to answer calls because you may just get several!  You may wish you had multiples of your item after you see how many people are interested!

CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

If you have really nice clothes or household items then it may be a wise choice to consign them.  Many consignment shops pay up to 50% percent of the selling price back to you and things are more likely to sale at a higher price at a store like this since everything is neat and organized.

SWAP MEETS

Many towns have swap meets where several sellers come together to sale in one place.  They may run yearly or even weekly.  Swap meets are a fun place to sell items and to socialize.  Since there is a constant flow of "people traffic"  items sell really well.  People love to feel like they've received a good "bargain" at a swap meet so it doesn't hurt to price your items a little high and let folks haggle with you. 

FLEA MARKET BOOTH

A flea market booth may be a good choice if you have neat or unusual items to sale.  The downside is that you have to pay rent for your booth (usually on a monthly basis).  But the upside is that you can leave your items at the booth and somebody else takes care of everything for you.

"25 CENT" SALE OR "BY THE BAG" SALE

If you're almost ready to just "give" things away but you'd still like to pocket a little cash consider having another sale where everything goes for just a quarter!  It may not seem like a lot of money but at 25 cent sales things tend to go quickly and those quarters can turn into dollars quickly!

Another option is to give out bags to all of your customers and tell them that everything that they can stuff into that bag is one set price.  For instance, fill the bag with whatever you want...clothes, books, etc. for say, $2.00.

IF YOU DECIDE TO GIVE THINGS AWAY OR DONATE

If you've gleaned the things that you want to sale or you're just simply tired of holding on to stuff and are wanting to get rid of it quickly, then you may decide to give your items away. It's usually pretty easy to give things away if you know the right places to take your things.

FRIENDS & FAMILY

If your brother-in-law has always seemed to covet your car stereo and you've decided to upgrade, well make him happy and give it to him.  Maybe you have some nice purses or shoes that are still in great shape but you're just getting tired of them and you know that your sister is the only one around that has your taste...well there's the obvious choice, give them to her!  Friends and family are a good place  to start when we decide to give things away, especially if you still have somewhat of a sentimental attachment to your item.  Children's clothing and baby items often get put to good use in families as the same things may be passed around from child to child. 

CITY RESCUE MISSIONS OR FOREIGN MISSIONS

City missions or foreign missions are an excellent home for items that are no longer needed. City missions help to clothe the homeless or needy at home while foreign missions do the same for those abroad. City missions are often very much in need of good clothing, coats, blankets and shoes. Contact your local city mission to find out the items that they need and where their donation station is.

If you decide to donate your items to foreign missions they are also in need of good clothing but also many like to receive good used toys such as dolls and metal cars. Many children abroad never have these luxuries that our children here enjoy everyday. If you decide to donate to a foreign mission project, contact local churches in your area to see how you may be of help.

YOUR LOCAL CHURCH

Many of our local churches welcome used items and clothings so that they may redistribute to the needy or resale so that the money can be put toward a worthy cause. Call them up to see if they accept donations.

THRIFT SHOPS

Finally, whatever is left you can box up and head to your town's thrift store or Goodwill store.  They will accept anything that you drop off and go through it themselves so you can take absolutely everything that you have left here.  (Of course if it's just junk do them a favor and just throw it away yourself). 

Many thrift stores, (including the Goodwill store), are nonprofit organizations and use the proceeds that are made toward a worthy cause.

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