Here's how to earn cash as you give new life to these unwanted items. It really is worth it to sell some things rather than just cart them off. It allows you to earn – and save – cash. Beyond that, it feels good to see stuff you no longer need going to a new home instead of the landfill.
1. Electronics - Instead of shoving your old cell phones, computers and tablets into a closet until you junk them, consider selling them online. You can do so through sites such as Gazelle.com. Various retailers — from Amazon to brick-and-mortar chains — also buy certain used electronics. Google “retailers wanting to buy your clutter” for the name of stores and items they will take.
2. Books - Yes, libraries and charities may welcome your donation of used books. But if you have textbooks, first editions or volumes from popular authors, you may be able to sell them online or to a local used bookstore. For example, the Amazon Trade-In program accepts books. The brick-and-mortar chain Half Price Books also buys books. Tip: The website BookScouter.com can help you find out which buyer will give you the best price for a given book that you want to sell.
3. Gift Cards - We’ve all received gift cards to stores or restaurants we don’t plan to patronize. Sure, you can give them away, but why not sell them for cash?
You can do just that through gift card exchanges such as Raise. They are online marketplaces through which you can sell your unwanted gift cards to people willing to buy them at a discount. You won’t get the full value — perhaps $90 or $95 for a gift card worth $100, for example. But you will get the payment in cash.
4. Home Appliances - Surprisingly, there is a demand for refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers. Landlords are looking for appliances for student housing and rental property. Other buyers just wanting to upgrade their appliances because they can’t afford new ones.This is one instance in which you might need to rely on Craigslist for sales, especially for large appliances that would be too costly to ship. But don’t forget other websites and apps that can connect you with potential buyers in your area, like Facebook Marketplace, Letgo or OfferUp.
5. Designer Bags and Clothes – If you have designer bags and clothes that just sit on a shelf, sell them on the website Bag Borrow or Steal. The site verifies that accessories are authentic designer items — not knock-offs — and pays well.
Other consignment sites for luxury goods include The RealReal and Material World. Some generalized online consignment websites for clothing and accessories — such as Swap.com and thredUP — also buy and sell designer labels and other brand names.
6. Calculators – How often do you see someone using a stand alone calculator these days? Unless you work with engineers, economists, or mathematicians, spotting one is akin to seeing a unicorn. But, as it turns out, there is a market for calculators. Before you toss your old calculator, check CalculatorSource.com to determine how much the site might pay for it.
7. Kid’s Toys - You can sell every kind of toy from board games to dolls and action figures — especially if they’re still in original packaging. Consider posting them for sale on eBay, or try selling them directly and locally on Craigslist or through Facebook Marketplace, Letgo or OfferUp.
Excerpted from MoneyTalksNews 9/3/2020