How to Hold an Online Garage Sale

Garage sales are a time-honored tradition for unloading your junk onto someone else for a few bucks. But what if you want to hold an online garage sale? Here's how.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet connection
• Craigslist account
• eBay account
• Digital camera

Instructions

1. Determine what all you want to sell. Go through your house and make a big pile, or go room by room or floor byfloor. Put everything in one area.

2. Take pictures. Make sure you show your items in the best possible light, and show multiple angles, if possible.

3. For items that can be shipped safely and cheaply, such as cameras or DVD players, list them on eBay. Hold a seven-day auction, and list the items for the minimum price you would accept. Estimate your shipping; you don't want to lose money on it. Use a handling charge if you need to buy a box, but your best bet is to ship U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail. You'll get a free box and your buyers get their stuff faster.

4. List all of your "nonshippable" items on craigslist. This goes for furniture, lamps, bikes and so on. Ensure you always trade in cash and state all of your necessary terms up front.

5. Relist all items not sold. Keep trying as, eventually, someone will buy them. Same with craigslist.

Tips & Warnings

• Be as honest as possible when writing descriptions for your items.

Resources

• Craigslist
• Ebay