How to Sell My Rubber Stamps & Stamp Accessories
April 17, 2018 6:46 AM Subscribe
About 10 years ago, I was really into making greeting cards, and I bought oodles (several big boxes full) of stamps, cardstock, ink, and all of the accessories from Stampin' Up. I haven't touched them in years, and I'm feeling like it's time to get this stuff out of my house. The boxes have always been stored inside, so it's all still in great condition.
What's the best way for me to sell or donate all of this? I live in a large metro area, so I probably could do Craig's List if that's the best route. I've also considered EBay, selling on local Facebook groups, something like this, donating at Goodwill, donating to another organization, etc.
I spent A LOT of money on all of this, so I would like to make some money back if the process won't be miserable. (My definition of miserable is selling one stamp set at a time, packaging it, getting postage, taking it to the post office and repeating again and again for the next year.) If there's not much money to be had, I think I can be okay with donating and getting a tax deduction.
What's the best way for me to sell or donate all of this? I live in a large metro area, so I probably could do Craig's List if that's the best route. I've also considered EBay, selling on local Facebook groups, something like this, donating at Goodwill, donating to another organization, etc.
I spent A LOT of money on all of this, so I would like to make some money back if the process won't be miserable. (My definition of miserable is selling one stamp set at a time, packaging it, getting postage, taking it to the post office and repeating again and again for the next year.) If there's not much money to be had, I think I can be okay with donating and getting a tax deduction.
Best answer: I like the idea of donating it to a senior living place, that's a great idea if you decide to donate it.
If you want to try selling it, though... We're several long months out of the trend, but for a while "mystery boxes" were the it girl of the internet, especially on youtube. I think it still may be possible to capitalize on that as a search term.
What I would do is spread your stamp stuff out in a heap--an *attractive!* heap, on top of a pretty, brightly colored table cloth--and take a picture from far enough away that one can see the scale but not much detail. List it on ebay for $50 with something like "rubber stamp hobby crafting mystery box - $200 value!" (Obviously adjust value price as necessary to a nice round number, but I think $50 is the absolute max you can realistically list it for, unless I really really do not understand what's involved in rubber stamp art and it should be higher.) If you have a few very special/unusual pieces in the collection you can take specific pictures of those and say they're guaranteed included. Talk in the description about how you don't do the hobby anymore and that this collection would be great either for someone starting the hobby or someone who wants to add to their current collection.
If that sells then all you have to do is dump the hoard in a box and ship it off to the buyer. One and done.
I know people also list mystery boxes on Etsy and I suppose you can also try listing there if it's not against whatever Etsy's guidelines are these days.
posted by phunniemee at 7:42 AM on April 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you want to try selling it, though... We're several long months out of the trend, but for a while "mystery boxes" were the it girl of the internet, especially on youtube. I think it still may be possible to capitalize on that as a search term.
What I would do is spread your stamp stuff out in a heap--an *attractive!* heap, on top of a pretty, brightly colored table cloth--and take a picture from far enough away that one can see the scale but not much detail. List it on ebay for $50 with something like "rubber stamp hobby crafting mystery box - $200 value!" (Obviously adjust value price as necessary to a nice round number, but I think $50 is the absolute max you can realistically list it for, unless I really really do not understand what's involved in rubber stamp art and it should be higher.) If you have a few very special/unusual pieces in the collection you can take specific pictures of those and say they're guaranteed included. Talk in the description about how you don't do the hobby anymore and that this collection would be great either for someone starting the hobby or someone who wants to add to their current collection.
If that sells then all you have to do is dump the hoard in a box and ship it off to the buyer. One and done.
I know people also list mystery boxes on Etsy and I suppose you can also try listing there if it's not against whatever Etsy's guidelines are these days.
posted by phunniemee at 7:42 AM on April 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Etsy!
posted by agregoli at 7:46 AM on April 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by agregoli at 7:46 AM on April 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would clean them well, and take good pictures of every stamp, showing the stamp, and an example of the stamp. Grade them as small, medium, large(cheapest, cheaper, cheap) sell them 1 for 3.00, 2 for 5.00, 3 for 6.00, with separate prices by grade. Same with the accessories. Sell on craigslist, fb marketplace. Maybe make up a flyer to post at craft shops.
Donate wjat doesn't sell - child care centers or teachers would love them.
posted by theora55 at 7:50 AM on April 17, 2018
Donate wjat doesn't sell - child care centers or teachers would love them.
posted by theora55 at 7:50 AM on April 17, 2018
I would do some research on eBay first; stamps from some companies (like Stampa Barbara) might be worth at least what you paid for them.
I ended up donating a lot of my rubber stamps and supplies to my local Boys & Girls Club, which was thrilled to get them.
posted by elphaba at 8:09 AM on April 17, 2018
I ended up donating a lot of my rubber stamps and supplies to my local Boys & Girls Club, which was thrilled to get them.
posted by elphaba at 8:09 AM on April 17, 2018
I did this with all of the quilling (paper craft) supplies I had. I took a group photo of them and listed it on eBay as a great starter kit for someone wanting to try the craft for a lot less than retail. It was snapped up fast. I think I asked $50 and got it.
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 9:48 AM on April 17, 2018
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 9:48 AM on April 17, 2018
If you go the donation route, consider donating to a non-profit and claiming the tax write off- it might end up helping you recoup some of the money you spent without having to deal with the hassle of selling it all.
posted by momochan at 9:59 AM on April 17, 2018
posted by momochan at 9:59 AM on April 17, 2018
Another possible pace to donate: your local Ronald McDonald house.
posted by amtho at 12:45 AM on April 18, 2018
posted by amtho at 12:45 AM on April 18, 2018
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posted by advicepig at 7:25 AM on April 17, 2018