Household Goods: You may think that your spare dishes may be
rather worthless, but individuals who mix and match may find that something in
your collection compliments an eclectic table setting. That little dish you
never used may be the butter dish for special occasions in another time and
place. The old barbeque tools that your family never used may get weekly work
outs with another household. That rug that was rolled up and stuck under your
bed may grace the porch of another person with different tastes.
Tools: If you aren’t a do-it-yourself person, then you may
see little value in the hodge-podge of items in the junk drawer. Just because
you’re not using specialized items doesn’t mean than someone else wouldn’t. The
little wrench that has gathered dust in your drawer may be just what some guy
needs to repair the sink in an older home he inherited from his grandfather.
Even if you don’t know what something might be or what it could be used for
doesn’t mean that others won’t.
Furniture: You may be thrilled to get new furniture and say
good-bye to the china cabinet that has dings and a few minor scratches. Someone
else may be flying on cloud nine to get a piece with a little character rather
than a brand new blemishless cabinet. It’s all in the perception. Your old
piece may mean more to the next person than the new piece you bought as a
replacement.
The point here is that just because you don’t need or even like something
doesn’t mean that your item has no value. Everyone has heard the saying that
one man’s trash is another’s treasure, and that’s very true. Don’t rule out
possible consignment items without taking some time to look with a neutral eye.
In fact, you may want a friend to take a look at your potential resale items.
It’s often hard to be rational about your own things.
On the other hand, do remember that some items just aren’t suitable for
resale. If pieces are beyond repair and have little to no appeal, then don’t
try to foist them off on others even as donations. The local Salvation Army
really does not want your stained mattress and bags of shirts covered with
mildew. There comes a time when some things really do need to be simply
retired.