We are doing some spring cleaning and decided to get rid of all the baby stuff. We put it up on craigslist and I have been bombarded by emails. I am spending tons of time answering everyone and trying to coordinate schedules and arrange pick up places and nobody has actually come to take any of this stuff away yet. I am starting to wonder if it is worth my time. We had several great experiences last year selling some big pieces of exercise equipment but these little $20 things here and there - I don't know if it is worth it - everyone wants to know miniscule details and they expect ME to do all the coordinating for them. It seems to me that if I am selling something at a dirt cheap price, the least you can do is come to my house and pick it up.

How accommodating are you when selling things? Do you bend over backwards to make it easy for people? I think I am being way too nice. I'm about ready to just load it in the car and drop it off at the Goodwill a couple of miles away.

I've totally been there!

I was trying to GIVE away an inflatable pool. People wanted me to drive 45 minutes to meet them. I told them I wasn't loading up my kids and driving 45 minutes to give them a free pool.

I gave up on small things unless I can group them together. Two weeks ago I sold a garbage bag full of preschool toys (for $40!). The lady owns a daycare and was very good about coming to pick them up.

I gave a box full of books and puzzles to our church's daycare center. She was very appreciate.

I think I'll wait until it is warmer and put the pool out with a free sign. It will be gone overnight

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I like it how some people think they are in a store. I mean, once I tried to sell an unused breast pump. A couple came by to look at it and stuff and wanted to try it out before getting it. I thought ew! I said no, you have to buy it first.
Another good idea is to just list the things youll be selling on Craigslist and put a date and time and just have a yard sale.
Personally, I wouldnt deal with all the emails. I have enough to do.

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www.myspace.com/sassy143


Alex & the spider monkey

I'm in the same boat!! I've tried listing stuff and even took it w/ me on a weekend get away 4 hours away and they still didn't want it when they showed up. I've had calls and "can you take it over to my husband across town right now" type things. My dh actually called and said "do you think i should take it over there"? UH SHELL NO!! Then when the lady came to look at it, she said oh thats not what I was looking for. For big items it seems to be okay, but for smaller ones NO!! Also, it seems like EVERYONE wants what you have, but they never show up to get it!! It's frustrating and not worth my time. I donated a bunch of stuff to the church garage sale that i couldn't sell. p.s. it seems like some people just aren't very bright: I put a chest of drawers on there one day and then the next day someone is looking for a chest of drawers???? I'm like HELLO, do you not do a search for this????? IMO, it's not worth the hassle.

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Mabennett - Proud Mommy to a Yankee, a Tarheel, and a cheerleader

I actually have sold things and make sure my dh is home or meet them in a public place!! but I will not go out of my way for people to buy ty items!!
Im not a service, Tho If someome lives toward a way I am going I will meet them like I said in a public place!!

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Kelly mom to 2 gymmonkeys!!!

I'm glad you mentioned giving the chest of drawers to the church yard sale. That is what I'll do with the one I just emptied. I was thinking about listing it on Craiglist but don't want to mess with it.

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When I list things, I note when I'll be available to meet for pick up (Saturday afternoon, for example). Generally, I don't like giving out my address, so I meet a buyer in the grocery store parking lot. When the transaction is complete, I get my shopping done. I've never had to wait.

When the item is large, I tell them they can come over when my dh is home, too.

Be sure to get their cell phone number.

I've had people from out of my area ask if I can ship things! Wouldn't it be cheaper to go to a yard sale in their area?

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Attaining financial freedom is like eating an elephant . . . it takes one bite at a time.

It depends how I feel :D

Some people if I think they are being too much of a PITA, I "pretend" their email got eaten by my spam blocker (my email is good about sorting, and I always check my spam). I'm selling some stuff on CL that I had in our mini-yard sale last weekend, and I don't feel like dealing with pestering for it. For instance, I'm selling a bunch of baby wash and lotions - I got bombarded with it, and really, it would take me years to use it - IF I even liked it. I can't stand baby powder smell, and all the lotion and bath stuff reeks to me and makes my nose itch. So, it's listed for $1 each - all unopened bottles.

Some chick wanted me to deliver it to her - 30 miles away. Thats 60 miles round trip - about 3 gallons of gas for me, which makes it about $10.50 now in gas, to sell $4 in baby stuff. Um no. Sorry, your email is lost. I have a few others interested, but it's pickup only!

I don't consider anything gone until it's gone. I also will not bend over backwards for people - they want it, they need to boogie over and get it (unless I'm feeling friendly and will meet somewhere.)

The first place I look is always the 'Wanted" section - MUCH better luck with buyers and not tiredkickers if you sell on that (find a wanted ad and contact them if you have it).

But yeah, if they are being a PITA, then the email monster eats their emails

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I very clearly write in my CL ad that delivery is available at $1 per mile from my home. (distance found via mapquest) That stops anyone from actually asking me to meet them anywhere.

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-Sarah

My "Forget the Joneses" Blog: Click Here

I know exactly how you are feeling! I've bought several items and it was such a smooth transaction. Now that I am trying to sell items it's crazy. People are e-mailing asking the weirdest questions or saying that they want it and then not responding again. I try to be accommodating but my patience level is wearing thin these days. I don't deliver and after a day or so if people haven't responded I move on to the next person. I just put a few things on Craigslist, cross your fingers that it goes smoothly!!