by Lynne MC

Created on: September 13, 2008

As the saying goes "know your market." Ebay and garage sales both offer viable markets. There are pros and cons with both, so it pays to stop and ask yourself five key questions first.

1) Do I want any outlay? Garage sales wont cost you a bean, you can simply set up a table in your yard and then advertise it by word-of-mouth. Meanwhile Ebay will charge you to list your items online regardless of whether or not they eventually. So you need to weigh up whether or not it is likely to be worth the risk. And remember that if your items do sell Ebay will also add a final value fee if on top of your initial listing fee too. It is a good idea to look at the different kinds of items you have to sell, as some are more likely than others to repay such a gamble.

2) What do I do with bulky, low-value items? Bulky, low value items may sell best at a garage sale and you can avoid the hassle of trying to package them to send to an Ebay purchaser. Of course you can choose to list an item as 'For Collection only' on Ebay and hope that someone local sees your ad. However, remember that you will have to pay the listing fee even if it doesn't sell. The same applies with slightly damaged but fixeable smaller low value items, the chances are they are more likely to sell at a garage sale.

3) Do I have vintage, old, rare or potentially collectible items? Any of these are likely to appeal to collectors or similar people. They may be based anywhere in the country or the world. It's likely that selling via Ebay will help you to reach such collectors who may bid against each other - and bid up the final price. Such items are unlikely to reach their true value at a garage sale. you do also have the option to take them to an auction house or similar but there you may have to pay for an appraisal. Clothes in good condition, especially those with a desirable designer name also sell well on Ebay while for example old-fashioned videos and mass market DVDs usually don't. (Definite candidates for the garage sale.)

4) Marketing? Even with the most covetable items, you won't sell them if you have no buyers. So attracting people is a must. You can create posters and/or take out a newspaper ad. for your garage sale but there is no denying that the marketing reach of Ebay is vastly superior. Instead of perhaps a few hundred people locally you will reach a huge global marketplace with the potential to achieve the best possible prices for your items.

5) How much money do you want to raise? If you are looking to raise funds for a local school or charity then keeping it local with a garage sale could be just the fun, social, community activity to achieve the best results. Not only will you raise funds but you'll also raise local awareness too. However if you want to make top dollar towards, say, that summer vacation you are planning then chances are Ebay will be your best bet. Of course, if you have a lot of items, you could hold a garage sale and cherrypick items to sell on Ebay too.

Learn more about this author, Lynne MC.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.