How to earn emergency funds, through Craigslist or otherwise?

July 26, 2009 9:12 AM

What kinds of items can be sold on Craigslist for the most money? (Alternately, what are some jobs I could do for emergency funds, given my unique circumstances?)

This is a bit awkward, but here goes. My family is going through a bit of a financial emergency right now, and I am trying to raise some funds ASAP. I've had a little bit of luck in the past selling a few items on Craigslist, but unfortunately, my most recent efforts haven't had any real bites, perhaps because there's not much demand for them (I've listed an entertainment center, some random Ikea furniture, server racks, various computer hardware, a metal DDR set, and a couple of high-dollar sporting goods gift cards, among other things). I think the items were priced very reasonably, and I've relisted everything with lower prices, still without luck. I imagine it's partly due to the economy and partly because we're not closer to the city (we're exactly at the halfway point between Baltimore and D.C.), but I didn't expect it to be this bad! Are there any categories of things that you know are typically hot sellers on sites like Craigslist?

Also, I'd love any other ideas for raising money -- a lot of the usual suggestions aren't working too well for us. My husband and I both put in about 60 hours a week in our business, which is largely successful (with the exception of this current time). We also have an active toddler to look after when we're not working. I am almost seven months into a high-risk pregnancy (insulin dependent diabetic, 2 compressed discs, among other things - ugh) so some of the things I used to do for spare cash, like waiting tables or bartending, are out. My husband has posted ads on Craigslist offering SEO services for small businesses, something he's pretty genius at, but isn't having any luck there. I've sent my extra jewelry into Cash4Gold, which sucked, and have been looking for any kind of online/telecommuting work. We are tentatively planning a yard sale for the end of August but frankly don't have a lot of stuff to sell -- we Freecycled a lot of things in our wealthier days, and are the complete opposite of packrats. Our families and friends are not in a position to help (we've explored that option).

It kills me to sound so negative here, with all the things we "can't" do; I just wanted to put some background out there in case it affects anyone's answers. Again, any input on successful Craigslist selling, quick-paying type jobs, etc. would be deeply, deeply appreciated. Thanks so much.

posted by justonegirl to work & money (15 comments total)

Is there anyway your husband could start selling plasma? I think you make around $25 each time and can sell twice a week. It takes about two hours each time, so do the math and if it is worth his time for $13/hour, do it!
posted by banannafish at 9:28 AM on July 26

This reminds me of a behavioral economics study I once read where people were given items worth X. Immediately afterward the holders of those items believed they were worth X + Y. Meaning: it's natural for Humans to overestimate the value of things that they own.

I think about this often as I troll through craigslist and ebay items. The offered price of many of these listed items is usually absurd, usually at least 25% higher than even my best offer would be. Often, I don't even waste my time.

Price is determined by supply and demand. Unless an item that you own is very rare or in high demand, it's probably worth much less than you think.

A good salesperson can make an item appear to be in higher demand or rarity than it is. However, most people are not skilled salespeople. Unless you have time on your side, I would cut the price to at least 10% lower than the next similar item.

Good luck.
posted by TheOtherSide at 9:31 AM on July 26 [1 favorite]

Re: craigslist, be sure that you include lots of high-quality photos, and that you have clear descriptions of everything you're selling. Be sure to optimize for keywords too. Generally though, you're not going to get top-dollar for anything that you're selling unless it's in high demand. Ebay can often fetch higher prices for rare items or tech items like the server racks and computer hardware; some quick searches will tell you what the market price is for your items. The market price on CL for the same item is probably less; the trade-off is an immediate cash sale in person. I'd be amazed if you net more than $100 from any yard sale.

Any job that seems like it will let you make cash fast without doing something fairly unpleasant or very specialized is probably too good to be true. A lot of avenues are closed off to you due to the pregnancy, but I would try and talk your husband to look at the gigs section of craigslist. $10/hr in cash is a pretty standard rate for helping someone paint their house, clean their gutters, move a sofa, etc. etc. If you live in an area with a high enough population density, you should be able to do fairly brisk business.
posted by craven_morhead at 9:33 AM on July 26

As a side note, I've recently made a ton of money selling my old books, CDs, DVDs, video games on Half.com and Amazon.com. Perhaps you can ask all your friends and family to donate all their old media, or you could offer to pay them %50 of what you make. I know enough busy people that would jump on that kind of offer.
posted by TheOtherSide at 9:34 AM on July 26 [2 favorites]

Is there any reason you're listing these items on Craigslist instead of eBay? Some large, unwieldy items make more sense to sell on CL (couches come to mind), but most other things will sell for a better price and often more quickly on eBay. Moreover, your awkward geographic location won't really matter on the 'bay. Gift cards in particular sell very well on eBay, often only a dollar or two off their face value.
posted by telegraph at 9:44 AM on July 26

A few of my friends and I held a multi-household yard sale yesterday and collectively made just under $1000. We advertised well the week before the sale and everything was Priced to Move. (my philosophy was "what price would be worth the time it takes to put a sticker on this item?") We also asked friends and family if they had anything they wanted us to sell for them. Several people donated things and let us keep the money. On Friday I did not have money for next month's rent. Today I do.
posted by Eumachia L F at 9:55 AM on July 26 [1 favorite]

I'm sorry. Can I retract my comment? My brain deleted this part.

We are tentatively planning a yard sale for the end of August but frankly don't have a lot of stuff to sell -- we Freecycled a lot of things in our wealthier days, and are the complete opposite of packrats. Our families and friends are not in a position to help (we've explored that option).
posted by Eumachia L F at 9:57 AM on July 26

2nd TheOtherSide. I know if one of my friends offered to offload some of my media for a 50% cut, I'd take them up on it. Also, eBay in general works well at getting rid of stuff, especially if you're not averse to shipping things out. Look for free boxes and packing material on freecycle, or if you have a university nearby, ask around (my school has TONS of packing material and boxes of all sizes).
posted by spiderskull at 11:37 AM on July 26

My best eBay success was selling ~50 live hippie concert (Grateful Dead et al) audio cassettes for over $300. They were essentially junk to me, I never would have priced them so high on Craigslist. I think they went over well because they would not be easy to purchase through other avenues the way commercial recordings (or Ikea-grade furniture) are. So I'd look at things with those unique characteristics.

If you take Cash4Gold's first offer, you get ripped off. As I understand it, they always make a second, much better offer if you press. And that offer is likely still worse than what you might get if you shopped around locally.
posted by samsm at 12:15 PM on July 26

Thirding TheOtherSide. I've sold a ton of books and CDs and even DVDs via Amazon this year, and they tick over quite nicely. It's a handy sideline. It's really easy to sign up, and you can get paid straight into your checking account.

Make sure you check the box that says you're happy to ship internationally; there seem to be a lot of Danes and Norwegians buying some of the weird US rock and jazz CDs I didn't want to keep, and they're happy to pay decent prices, too.

With the DVDs, I make it very clear that these are whatever region they are and that you have to have a multiregion player to play them, so there's no comeback from buyers who didn't read the description properly.

Just be aware that you may need to spend a bit of time monitoring the prices the CDs and books go for, and make sure that you describe them thoroughly -- that definitely helps woo the buyers if they can see you aren't just cutting and pasting a description for 17 items that all read "LOOKS GOOD PLAYS GRATE."
posted by vickyverky at 1:47 PM on July 26

Also, on Amazon and Half.com you don't have to worry about taking or uploading photos, and there's no listing fee (although Amazon does take a cut, it's balanced out by the shipping credit you get).
posted by vickyverky at 1:49 PM on July 26

Try Modest Needs. I'm sure they're overwhelmed right now but it's worth a try. Maybe your husband can try for work as a bartender or waiter if you have any good contacts in the business. See if you can babysit, try sittercity or look on craigslist. You can do that while with your toddler.
posted by kathrineg at 2:07 PM on July 26

And of course your husband can babysit too, but you'll have better luck.
posted by kathrineg at 2:07 PM on July 26

I'm not sure the whole details, but eBay just started a program where you can list your first 5 items with no listing fees (if it doesn't sell, you don't owe anything) - 5 per 30 days.

For the gift cards, i would try eBay also, or Google "sell gift cards" and you'll get a bunch of places that are just gift card marketplaces. I've never used them, but I've read reviews.

I agree with katherineg about babysitting, that was my thought, if it's physically possible or makes sense.
posted by KAS at 8:05 AM on July 27

Maybe your husband could contact some local small businesses directly to talk about work for them - they might not be reading wherever he's posting.

Are there any skills you (and he) have, either related to your business or not, that you could put to work in another way? I would try to think in the direction of things you can do/services to offer.
posted by KAS at 8:09 AM on July 27