Sell Your Used Goods Online: 5 Good Places to Post Items for Sale

It doesn't take Lee Iacocca to recognize that times are tough. Suddenly, those Battlestar Galactica DVDs or Jimmy Choos are starting to look a little taunting, especially if you've never opened the box for either of them. Happily, if you have the time and inclination to do some spring cleaning, you may realize you're sitting on a few hundred dollars. With the following five buyers, you can unload a hefty portion of your clutter and see the reward in your bank (or PayPal) account within a few weeks.

Hit the Books

There's always Amazon.com's Marketplace, but unless you're willing to sell most of your paperbacks for $0.01 and make the Post Office your new home, consider selling in bulk to a book buyer. Not just for college textbooks anymore, you can find someone to buy just about every book with a quick Google search of "book buyback." Most consistent is BlueRectangle.com. They give you a pre-printed shipping label and offer some of the best rates on everything from that Sociology 101 tome to the Jamie Oliver cookbook you're ashamed to say you own. For the books that Blue Rectangle doesn't take, click on Powells.com. The Oregon bibliophile's paradise won't pay for your books, but they will give you a store credit, good to stock up on some new reads. And you can see where that cycle goes...

Do Svidanya DVDs

Like BlueRectangle.com, MX123.com will cover the shipping costs and buy most of your DVDs. TV show box-sets and new releases do best here, but if you really just want to get rid of that copy of Ocean's Thirteen regardless of the cost, it may be $0.80 well-earned. Take care when you pack your DVDs and clean them thoroughly with some mild cleaner (Windex will do the trick) and a soft cloth, as they will lower their initial quote if they have to clean the discs themselves. MX123 also takes video games on most current platforms (XBox, Wii, Playstation, etc.).

Give Your Wallet a Second Spin

For most Southern Californians, the name Second Spin rings a bell and calls to mind endless rows of used CDs. And where do they come from? That's right, SecondSpin.com. CDs cannot be scratched in any way, nor can the cases be cracked (though they will accept a mark/hole in the jewel case), and don't think of sending them promotional copies. That being said, they pay well for everything from the Pixies to Papa Roach to Pavarotti. And if you want to do a three-fer, they also take video games and DVDs.

Stand at a Crossroads

With several locations in 8 of the US's major cities, Crossroads Trading Co. is one of a myriad vintage/resale shops that will buy as often as they sell. The trick with Crossroads is to have clothes that are still trendy (if you saw something like it recently in Lucky, you're probably good) and, of course, in pristine condition. Rather than sell online, walk your lovingly used clothes, shoes, purses, and other accessories (but no jewelry) into an outpost (best to confirm their buying hours). They usually pay 35% of the price at which they'll sell your Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic, or Juicy Couture, and some offer a store credit at a higher rate. You may find yourself doing a little more detective work in this realm for your specific area, but a quick Google search for "consignment stores" or "clothing resellers" and your city. And with the right duds you could score in a big way.

e(asy)Bay

The inherent risk with putting up the rest of your goods on eBay is that, if they don't sell, you're still paying seller fees. For those who'd like to put their stuff up for online auction without the time to push and stand out in the marketplace, there are websites who will do your dirty work for you. AuctionPal.com is one of the greatest, taking a small amount of the winning bid as commission but providing you with everything up to the box you need to mail and a DHL mailing label. AP is taking a break from helping you to sell your GI Joes and coffee makers, but there is always the classic iSold It on eBay. With these sellers, however, make sure you have an item that meets their minimum price (AuctionPal was $10.00, iSold is around $75.00). Item doesn't sell? You don't pay a dime.