Selling My Stuff!

Yesterday I posted flyers at different apartment complexes and community clubhouses to sell my stuff. I created a new email address for people to email because my main one has my last name, and that's just too much information for a stranger to have.

Here are some safety tips if you're thinking of doing to same thing:

1. Advertise to friends and family first. They are safe because you already know them and it's okay if they come into your home.

2. If you're selling to strangers and have a small place like me where people have no choice but to come right into your home, MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT ALONE. Ask a friend or family member, or two, to be with you while you've got strangers in your home looking at your stuff.

3. Before inviting the stranger(s) over, make sure they are local. Find out where they live locally, and see if they have a local phone number. Some people keep their numbers when they move, but being local makes them a little more legit. (I got that from some safety website.)

4. Hide/put away ANYTHING you don't want them to see. This includes jewelry, laptops, medicine, bills with your full name/address on them (easy to sneak a picture of with their phone camera), any other personal information and stuff that's easy to steal.

5. If they're trying to steal from you, one could distract you while the other 'goes to the bathroom' - be aware of this. (Another reason to have a friend/family member with you.)

6. Only deal in CASH. Checks could bounce and they get your stuff for free, not to mention you having to pay a bounced check fee.

7. Mark up your items to more than what you really want for them. I'm not a big negotiator, but people will try to negotiate for your stuff, even though it's already discounted a ton than if they bought it new. If you put down the real price you really want, you'll get less and won't be happy.

8. If the stranger(s) seem sketchy, STOP DOING BUSINESS. Walk Away.

9. If you have a house with a garage, or anything bigger than a one-bedroom apartment, bring the items into a common area. If you just have a 1-bedroom like me, it's a little scarier, but that's why you hide the stuff you don't want them to see and have someone with you.

10. Get their name when you talk to them. Don't be afraid to tell them you're leery about having strangers in your house. When I told someone this, he described himself and his family to me. That's helpful information either way.

11. When you finally meet them, be aware. Take in what they look like, what they're wearing, hair/eye color, etc. If anything happens, you'll need a good description to give to police. If possible, take a picture with your cell phone. (Or have someone else do it.) Maybe fake taking a picture of an item and get them in it.

12. Make sure that anything they look at, if they move it, they won't see anything. I'm single and have a weapon in the house so I have to hide it. But it may also be one of those things you don't want to hide too far away.


That's it for now. If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to post it. And please post any comments you might have to help others.