[Trish Crocker]

Just looking for ideas. We have a very large home full of stuff and the city that we live in doesn't allow garage or estate sales...ruins the 'ambiance' I guess. Anyway...does anyone have any pointers as to how you did it? The thought of Craigslist is uncomfortable to me, plus, there is just too much. We could donate it but I was hoping to use the proceeds (to buy more stuff) Since most of the Villagers downsized I'm hoping to get a little input. Thanks!!

Trish

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Just looking for ideas. We have a very large home full of stuff and the city that we live in doesn't allow garage or estate sales...ruins the 'ambiance' I guess. Anyway...does anyone have any pointers as to how you did it? The thought of Craigslist is uncomfortable to me, plus, there is just too much. We could donate it but I was hoping to use the proceeds (to buy more stuff) Since most of the Villagers downsized I'm hoping to get a little input. Thanks!!

Trish

Most cities/towns have an auction company. Call your local auctioneer, he will come out and let you know if you have things that would sell. Many do on site or have an auction facility.
If you check in you state usually there is a state auctioneers association. Check their web site for auctioneers in your area. You can also check with the national auctioneers association at www.auctioneers.org.
There are also folks that do tag sales. However, the auction method will most likely get you more money.

[Bettiboop]

I've heard others talk about companies who will come to your home and look over all the items you are getting rid of and then give you a price for all and take it away (providing you accept the deal lol). I believe they are some sort of estate liquidators or something like that. Maybe that could be an option since you can't have an estate sale of your own. There are also people who will come and buy all your things and then they turn around and have yard sale. I would imagine you have to let your stuff go for less than you would if you were selling it yourself, but to get rid of everything all at once and have someone else haul it away would be worth it to me. Good luck! Hope you can work something out.

I'll be facing the same thing sooner or later. I'm currently in the sorting stage and just trying to decide what to toss, what to sell and what to keep. I've been workin' on it for months now!!

[Uptown Girl]

We're kind of in the same boat. I have already gifted special friends with things they have admired, and the kids have picked what they want to keep for themselves. I've already donated much that isn't worth the effort of selling, but there is still lots left..... particularly large items. I'm toying with the idea (once the house is SOLD) of having a PRIVATE open house (for friends, certain neighbors and whoever they want to bring along) One day only, maybe 3 hours tops. No signs outside, no advertising. Gonna call them, tell them what it's for, send an invite if they're interested and let them walk throughout the house as it is arranged now, pick and buy then and there. Name your price at this point.... just take it.

Small stuff can be loaded up immediately and out of view if they pull in our garage, and I figure pre-purchased big stuff can be picked up two days before we leave. I'll make that condition clear when they buy it and explain why. I'm sure that if they want the stuff, they will be understanding.

I'll arrange for a charity (that picks up) to come the day after that and whatever is left will be taken then. That will be tax deductible if we choose to apply it.

That should satisfy the rules of our Homeowner's Association, and make it easier on us as well. Will we get what it's worth? Well, that's in the eye of the beholder. The bottom line is it will be one thing less we have to wrangle, and a few bucks extra.

[Tall Terri]

Some items are needed as donations for others to use while you can contact some resale stores and they- will come get the items and consign them for sale. You get them out of your home and possibly get some income from them. Bargains & Treasures is 352-347-0799, and the Carriage Trade at 352-369-9298 in Ocala is another.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lake County is opening up a consignment store in the Lake Square mall as well! They are looking for all types of items to consign or sell. They are accepting consignments and donations. Tammy of B&G Club is 352-409-1664 and the name of the store is "ReMIx".

[swrinfla]

Several options which worked for me.

After the kids and various friends had made their choices (the kids quite frankly wanted none of our "funky old furniture" and didn't understand that I/we thought they were "antiques!"), then it came down to the nitty-gritty!

I started with several hundred books, virtually none of which I wanted, though my late wife adored them all! There's a huge annual Book Fair in St. Louis which happily took the lot away (after I'd packed them, of course). I valued the total at $150; my accountant agreed that was reasonable, since many of them had been bought over the years at the same fair for 10-25 cents a piece!

Then, there was a local charity which operates a huge Thrift Store. They took nearly all the furniture I wasn't bringing with me. Some they gave me money up front. Some they took on consignment; I got 25% of what they sold it for.

Clothes went to Salvation Army.

Finally, I hired a guy who came in the day after I'd left. His mission was to take everything that was left behind and do with it what he wanted/could. Cost me close to $1,000 but I was so glad to get rid of the "junk!"

Some of it was hard! But, after six years in TV, I wonder why!?

SWR

[jblum315]

Can't you have a "tag sale" inside your home?

[Philip Winkler]

We moved full time to TV in April from the Allentown, PA area; here's what we did...I was able to post ads in the company newsletter where I retired from and in our development newsletter. We sold most of our furniture that way. What we didn't sell we donated to the Catholic Charities and they picked it all up at our home in PA. We actually moved to TV on the Autotrain from Lortran, VA and had 3 "Relocubes" delivered to TV.

[Oren L Miller]

We are selling our house with all the stuff, new hot tub, tanning bed, John Deere etc. in the house to raise the selling price of the house. Wallah more money to bring to TV.

[graciegirl]

Just did it. WAY too close to the situation to talk about it. It was really, really hard.

Kids took SOME.

St. Vincent De Paul took a truck full

Goodwill got a lot...

And a lot of stuff that meant a lot to us went to the dump.

I am glad to read Swrinfla's post. I am sure that time will heal this.

[Debfrommaine]

I have encountered animal shelters that have "thrift" stores and would love "stuff" in good condition. Keep in mind that blankets, towels, and sheets are always of urgent need at animal shelters - a great cause that would appreciate your donation.

[Trish Crocker]

you guys are great! I don't know any of you but I feel like we have a huge support system already. It will be a while before we can get to TV to live but, when we do, we are definitely having a party..can't wait to meet everyone I see on TOTV. Thanks for your info and support!

Trish

[diskman]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Just looking for ideas. We have a very large home full of stuff and the city that we live in doesn't allow garage or estate sales...ruins the 'ambiance' I guess. Anyway...does anyone have any pointers as to how you did it? The thought of Craigslist is uncomfortable to me, plus, there is just too much. We could donate it but I was hoping to use the proceeds (to buy more stuff) Since most of the Villagers downsized I'm hoping to get a little input. Thanks!!

Trish

My current HOA has this rule but here is what happens, you have your garage sale on a FRI-SAT-Sun. On about Tuesday the letter comes telling you you can't do that the sale is already over. Now you call in a couple of guys who buy estates and see who offers you the most for what is left or you try on of those auction houses mentioned elsewhere in this thread.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Bettiboop

I've heard others talk about companies who will come to your home and look over all the items you are getting rid of and then give you a price for all and take it away (providing you accept the deal lol). I believe they are some sort of estate liquidators or something like that. Maybe that could be an option since you can't have an estate sale of your own. There are also people who will come and buy all your things and then they turn around and have yard sale. I would imagine you have to let your stuff go for less than you would if you were selling it yourself, but to get rid of everything all at once and have someone else haul it away would be worth it to me. Good luck! Hope you can work something out.

I'll be facing the same thing sooner or later. I'm currently in the sorting stage and just trying to decide what to toss, what to sell and what to keep. I've been workin' on it for months now!!

Hi Bettiboop,
I'm starting on the sorting stage too. So far, I've taken a trunk load of nice clothes (that shrunk ) to a shelter and a couple of loads to goodwill. We plan to have an auction house take the big stuff, though we are a ways away. Oh yeah, I also took three box loads of books to Friends of the Library. They have book sales with proceeds going to the local library.

[jebartle]

The ole boy did NOT want me to have any yard sales, soooooo anything that I have not touched or used in 1 year was given to Goodwill or put in a pile at the end of the driveway......There is not a day that goes by, looking for something and admitting that it must have been in THE PILE!....Oh, well!