CONSUMER REPORTS: Best ways to sell your stuff

KUSA - Wouldn't it be great to find $50, $100, even $1,000 lying around your home!

Consumer Reports Money Adviser says stuff crammed in your closets can easily add up to that. The key is figuring out the best way to sell it.

You can make money selling gently used clothing at a consignment shop, but the shop takes a large cut of the earnings.

Yard or garage sales are another time-honored way to make money selling things, and that way you can keep all of the profits. But yard sales take work. You've got to price everything and haul it in and out of your house. And you've got to make signs and flyers, and possibly pay for advertising.

Consumer Reports Money Adviser recommends setting prices at about 10 to 20 percent what you paid for something. And be sure prices are clearly marked. Bundling items can help you make a sale. And always be prepared to give a discount.

Selling stuff online on eBay or Amazon.com will cost you more-around 10 to 15 percent of your total sales-but you get more potential buyers. Consumer Reports Money Adviser advises checking what similar items are selling for on the Web site. You'll need to open an account to advertise your items and to get paid. After a sale, pack and ship within a couple of days. Your reputation depends on it.

Consumer Reports Money Adviser says the best things to sell online are small and lightweight. That way you can save big on packing and shipping.

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