Selling stuff online: individual items or lots?

Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I'm just about to move (May 9th) and have a LOT of stuff I don't want anymore. I'm talking comics, unopened action figures, books, movies (DVD and VHS), etc.

I've thought about taking them to a dealer, but remembered all the times they've screwed me over in the past. They just want the good stuff and will low-ball you on it.

If you have suggestions for me, please tell.

THANK YOU!
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
Sell individually or small lots on Ebay
42  (88%)
Just sell them all in one go on Ebay
1  (2%)
Sell individually on Craigslist
2  (4%)
Sell the whole lot Craigslist
Donate to charity (i.e. I don't know and don't care)
Cake and grief counseling will be available at the conclusion of the test. Thank you for helping us help you help us all!
3  (6%)
Total votes: 48
Poll is closed
02/11/2010
  • Treat Her! Gift Set For Women For $69.99 Only
  • Complete lovers gift set
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Long-distance pleasure set for couples
  • Save Extra 20% On Love Cushion And Toy Set!
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: Sir Sir
None of the above. I'd say to sell them in lots of what goes together. If that does not work, sell them all together.
02/11/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
too bad its not garage sale season! It'd be easier to get rid of stuff then!
02/11/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
I suggest small lots on Craigslist, Ebay or half.com. If it is a stand alone item, then do individually.

April is not too early for a yard sale, right? Sell the remaining dregs that way.
02/11/2010
Contributor: Lara Lara
I've had a lot of luck selling used books on amazon. Their commission is huge, but the high traffic is great for getting rid of more obscure books.
02/11/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Lara
I've had a lot of luck selling used books on amazon. Their commission is huge, but the high traffic is great for getting rid of more obscure books.
thanks, but books are really a minor chunk of what i have...unless you meant comics. I still don't know what to do with those. I have unopened figures too, maybe i could team them up? I dunno
02/11/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Depends on what you're selling. Ebay is great for books and comics. If you have sex-related items (like DVDs or books), I'm sure the community here would be interested in it. Craigslists is a good attempt, but I've never seen it work too well.

Amazon.com is good too if what you're selling is recent.
02/11/2010
Contributor: Gary Gary
You can usually make more money selling stuff individually, but that also costs you more time. Although since you are on a time frame... if you do end up selling everything individually, I recommend selling at a lower price than similar items are going for. That way they sell quickly.
02/11/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
Depending on what the items are, I've had a lot of success selling in small to medium sized lots on Ebay. The best thing to do is browse and see what similar items are going for. That'll give you an idea of what you can get for the items.
02/11/2010
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
I'd sell the comics in lots by title or perhaps related titles if you don't have many for a specific title. Movies and books I'd probably do separately unless you have series(es?).
02/12/2010
Contributor: Lara Lara
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
You can usually make more money selling stuff individually, but that also costs you more time. Although since you are on a time frame... if you do end up selling everything individually, I recommend selling at a lower price than similar items are ... more
Really? I've got a bunch of books that I was planning on selling and I'm stuck between listing them individually on Amazon or putting them in a lot on ebay. I was going to go with the latter simply because I can't compete with the people selling books for $1. Hmpf. I'll have to revisit that idea.
02/13/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Lara
Really? I've got a bunch of books that I was planning on selling and I'm stuck between listing them individually on Amazon or putting them in a lot on ebay. I was going to go with the latter simply because I can't compete with the people ... more
i know there are book swapping sites around the interwebs. I even looked around on one. Check those out Lara?
02/13/2010
Contributor: Lara Lara
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
i know there are book swapping sites around the interwebs. I even looked around on one. Check those out Lara?
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check that out.
02/13/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
After doing the ebay thing i've realized a few things:

Set your auctions to end on a weekend if at all possible. This will ensure that people are watching the count down and my snipe it.

If you're doing collectible items, take the pictures yourself WITH the items in protective cases (card sleeves, etc). This shows that you really do have them and they are in good shape.

Single items don't sell well. You'll actually get more for putting things together in groups of the same thing or things that go together.

hope this helps whoever reads it!
03/19/2010
Contributor: 00 00
Definitely selling things individually or in small lots reaps you a greater payoff than selling to dealers. Whatever you do, good luck with that and with your move. As someone who has moved 61 times so far, I know the work that goes into a good move.
03/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Larger lots on ebay, but list them for the same price the lower ones are going for. People will then see them and want to bid on your lots instead. make sur eyou have a reserve price.
04/09/2010
Contributor: oncetwice oncetwice
A lot of this depends on things like feedback as well. If you aren't a big eBay seller, you'll potentially not get nearly as much as the items are worth. Also factor in that you are going to lose a good 10-15% off the top by the time eBay/paypal take their fees.

Books/DVDs (unless rare/special in some way) are typically hard to sell.

Regardless, I would go through things like the comics/action figures and make sure there isn't anything that is highly desirable before selling it off in bulk.
04/13/2010
Contributor: Miss Madeline Miss Madeline
Ebay is going to charge you. I've had resounding success with Criagslist.

Can I have my cake now?
02/08/2011
Contributor: sexyk515 sexyk515
eBay/paypal
04/05/2011
Contributor: Latsyrc728 Latsyrc728
I would maybe group some of the smaller stuff together, but do most of it individually. You will make a lot more. People are not going to pay for a lot of stuff if they only want one thing. Also, I prefer Amazon over ebay or craigslist (craigslist you get jerked around a lot and have to meet in person with creepy peeps). : )
04/09/2011
Contributor: KyotoAngel KyotoAngel
I'd sell individually or in small groups of related or somewhat related items.
It's like with CD's these days, if someone likes about two out of fifteen songs on a CD they're much more likely to buy the individual tracks of the internet.
04/12/2012
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I'm just about to move (May 9th) and have a LOT of stuff I don't want anymore. I'm talking comics, unopened action figures, books, movies (DVD and VHS), etc.

I've thought about taking them to a dealer, but remembered all the ... more
I'd probably sell in small lots. The only reason I say this is there is NO way I would have the patience to do everything individually.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Andrey2052 Andrey2052
Sell individually or small lots on Ebay
02/24/2013
Contributor: Rory Rory
When I buy on ebay I buy individually items.
02/24/2013
Contributor: tortilla tortilla
id go with selling on ebay
02/24/2013
Contributor: tortilla tortilla
id go with selling on ebay
02/24/2013
Contributor: Stagger13 Stagger13
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I'm just about to move (May 9th) and have a LOT of stuff I don't want anymore. I'm talking comics, unopened action figures, books, movies (DVD and VHS), etc.

I've thought about taking them to a dealer, but remembered all the ... more
Individual items seem to move quicker.
02/24/2013
Contributor: 1001 Pleasures 1001 Pleasures
I haven't sold anything on eBay for years, but when DVDs were starting to replace VHS, I would buy up huge lots of tapes and sell them as singles or small lots on eBay.
02/24/2013