Make quick cash off your castoffs
March 26, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under odds and ends
If you’re looking to make some quick cash, you can go though all your stuff, find the stuff you never use, and sell it. You could technically hold a garage sale, but that’s a whole other huge event. I mean, you just sorted your closets, save the garage sale for warmer days and try the following places for selling your gear…
Consignment shops: The key to making quick cash at a consignment store is to ask them how they pay. There are plenty of consignment shops, but not all pay right away, and not all pay in cash. Possible scenarios include the shop paying you in store credit, paying you when your items actually sell, or cutting you a check at the first of the month when their payroll runs. The best (for fast cash) are places that pay within one to two days of you giving them your stuff. Take in items that are in style and in good shape for the maximum payout.
Craigslist: I know folks who do make money on Craigslist, but you should follow some basic rules. Advertise details; i.e “10 pairs size 9 jeans – dark navy” vs. “JEANS”. Never meet a buyer in private – meet them in a public place and only accept cash.
Specialty shops: Record stores, CD exchange stores, video game shops, bookstores, and other specialty sellers will usually pay decent prices for items that are in good shape. Do not take a boxful of scratched vinyl in for example, they check this stuff. Also if you trashed all your CD and hardcover book covers, you’re pretty much screwed. Resale shops get more money for covered items, and usually won’t accept uncovered books or discs.
