The Decision Framework
- Has real resale value AND you are willing to deal with a buyer: Sell. Facebook Marketplace is the fastest for local pickup items. eBay for items that ship.
- In good condition but not worth selling your time for: Donate. Saves you the time of a transaction and benefits someone who needs it.
- In poor condition but fully functional: Still worth donating for items in categories charities always need -- tools, clothing, kitchenware.
- Worn out, broken, or not donatable: Haul. Stop carrying it around. The carrying cost of items you will never use is real.
The Fastest Paths for Each Category
Sell
Facebook Marketplace for large furniture and local items. OfferUp for household goods. eBay for shippable items with specific collector demand. Price 20-30% below what similar items ask for quick sales.
Donate
Habitat ReStore for furniture and home goods. Goodwill and Salvation Army for most everything else. Schedule pickups rather than hauling yourself for large pieces.
Junk
One call for everything that cannot be sold or donated. Do not spread the haul-off across multiple trips to a transfer station -- a junk removal pickup consolidates it in a single visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if something is worth selling?
Check completed sales on eBay or Facebook Marketplace for similar items in similar condition. If recent completed sales exist at a price that feels worth your time -- typically $25 or more -- it might be worth listing. If nothing similar has sold recently, or if the asking prices are all low, donating or discarding is more practical.
What items are almost always worth selling vs. discarding?
Quality wood furniture, vintage items, name-brand electronics in working condition, tools and power tools, bicycles, musical instruments, sporting equipment, and art are almost always worth attempting to sell before discarding. These categories have active secondary markets and items in good condition move quickly.
How long should I try to sell something before giving up?
Two weeks for most items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. If it has not sold in two weeks at a reasonable price, drop the price once, wait another week, and if still no response, donate or haul it. Do not let the decision-to-sell prevent items from leaving your home -- a pile of items you are 'going to sell eventually' is functionally the same as clutter.