FREECYCLE- to dispose of low value items quickly

If your main interest is just to get rid of bulky or unwanted items which may have little value or you discover, after ebay listing, are not saleable, then you should consider easier alternatives to ebay, as I have done. Think about it as an alternative to buying something on ebay which would have to be shipped from the other side of the country but may beavailable free from someone in your local area.

The best I have come across is called FREECYCLE. This is a UK wide network which costs nothing to join and in which members offer each other unwanted items free of charge, generally in preference to taking them down to the dump. You will join your local freecycle group as part of the ethos is to avoid excess petrol/pollution/global warming by making items available for reuse as locally as possible. Generally the person who wants the item will come and collect it. Sometimes those offering items, who may be flooded with requests, will allow a day or so to see who is interested and then pick the most deserving person, the one who gives the best explanation of how the item will be helpful. Often items seem to go to genuinely needy people eg to furnish a first flat. Often quite high quality items like lounge suites in excellent condition are offered. Currently many people are offering VDUs as they switch to flat screen monitors and massive widescreen TVs as they switch to the flat screen replacements. Computer desks can also be obtained as people switch to using laptops. Decent computers which no longer meet the latest spec also become available. These are just some examples.

Before - or after - you have tried to sell an item on ebay and incurred the usual ebay fees, do consider whether it is worth the cost and hassle. Items not saleable on ebay or which will only earn you a tiny amount, may be more suitable to give away to someone who will eagerly turn up at your doorstep at a prearranged mutually convenient time. Everyone using freecycle is on email so communication is no problem.

It is much easier to list and dispose something when you are giving it away then to list for sale on ebay.

I am a great enthusiast for ebay but have found that it is not the greatest for selling penny items or bulky collection only items of modest value. It is also hit and miss and that is no use when you really need to be sure of urgently clearing some space in your house, loft or shed.