[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Before trying to sell anything on EBAY check for similar items. If any are listed, are they getting any bids and for how much. Then you know if it is worth selling or donating.

My problem is trying to bring myself to get rid of old letters, postcards, etc from my parents. Souveniers from previous trips, books, magazines with good articles, etc. Old tools, power and manual, screws, nails. Gave a lot a way to friends, but many of them are looking to downsize also.

Old tools can be worth serious money.

On ebay go into the completed listings, you can see the starting bid and what it actually sold for. I've found with ebay it's all about condition and researching the piece. I've sold china, but found it's better to break down the set, sometimes people need to replace just one piece, not the whole set, packing and shipping an entire set is a killer and the heavier it is the more likely it will break. Ebay shoppers need to know the manufacturer and pattern name. replacements.com can help research. Ebayers love a good story.

The neighbor across the street from me owned one of those "We buy/sell silver, coins and gold" places. I sold him sterling pieces that had dings.

I had never ending yard sales, sent stuff to a country auction type place (this was in upstate NY). IIRC the auction place only charged me 15%.