Quite some time ago I was introduced to the world of online auctions, but never really paid too much attention to it. This great friend of mine told me she was raking in some decent cash by selling her old things and she thought it would be ideal for us, a family with kids, to give it a whirl. I should have listened to her then. If I recall correctly she had already made close to a thousand dollars alone! Recently I smartened up and stuck my foot in the pool. And you know what? It feels pretty cool!
So, what is an online auction you ask? Well, in the cases I have been introduced to it is all done through that wonderful Social Media outlet Facebook. The first site I joined, which is similar to what my friend belongs to, is called a 24 Hour Auction and it is usually for your city. For example the site I joined was called “24 Hour Auction – Brampton“. The idea is to post a photo of what you are selling and include the pertinent details ( description, measurements etc) and what Starting Bid you are asking for and what increments you will accept bids in. In the case of the “24 Hour” sites you literally can accept bids for that amount of time and then it is over. The highest bidder is your winner! In most cases you would say in your description where the winner can pick up the item, but in some cases you may even discuss this “off line”.
Since joining my local “24 Hour” site I have come across a few others that have a much higher member count and lots more activity which means more things are getting sold. I tell ya it is getting addictive! The other version I have discovered is actually called “Storage Wars” and then your city. Think of it as a virtual yard sale, but even easier. You can post photos from your cell phone or the computer and you will get updates on your bids via your Facebook notifications. It is so easy. So, if you have a garage full of crap, I mean treasures that you just have to part with, I would suggest checking out an online auction today. 🙂
Anyone else raking in the dough from this awesome venture? Or maybe you have another suggestion to sell your stuff. I would love to hear all about it!
FT&PD
Suz
Interesting… 🙂
It really is Jud! I have just started, but have already gotten rid of a few things and the cash goes into my Disney fund!
Suz
I am a huge fan of selling on craiglist and ebay. I probably cash in to the tune of a few thousand dollars a year… at least! All on stuff we have outgrown or are not using anymore. It’s not hard to do at all… Here is what sells: Baby/Toddler stuff (craigslist) Electronics, new, used and broken (ebay), anything brand name like pottery barn, pbkids, I once sold a cracked iphone for $250 on ebay! Lots of Disney items sell for tons but I have a hard time being able to sell my Disney stuff! It’s crazy. And the extra cash is nice. 🙂
Thanks for this great information Heidi, I really appreciate it. I have been “selling” for almost two weeks now and I am so addicted, it is a riot! Today I had a bidding war on our old change table of all things and the rush was a hoot! I have sold a couple of Disney items, but found people were not as interested as they were with the household stuff. Next up on the auction block is going to be some baby stuff though. I have two exersaucers, playpen etc.. I can’t wait to sell them, LOL 🙂 My plan is to keep all the money separate, strictly for Disney next year. Then I can blow it all on a new Dooney, LOL. Thanks for stopping by Heidi!
Suz
I’ve sold and bought at online auctions quite a lot in the past. It’s fun and I enjoyed doing it, it can become addictive too though. If buying you have to predetermine what the object is worth to you before you start and stop bidding there too – that’s the hard part when you really want something but otherwise it can quickly become too expensive. 🙂
I’ve sold and bought at online auctions like Ebay for a few years.
I have gotten many great buys of things I actually need, you have to be careful though or you can start buying all kinds of things
I’ve never heard of this but I’m anxious to check it out. Thanks for the information!