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Nov 2011  |  By Joan Vesselinovitch  |  Comments

Joan V. Recommends: Where to Sell, Donate or Recycle Everything

Before the holidays, it's helpful to clear out some of the clutter. Here are the best places to sell, donate, and recycle all those household items you no longer want.

Clothing

Donate
Where: NCJW’s Encore and More, 1107 Central Avenue, Wilmette
Details: Request a receipt for the contribution. Itemize your donations and list their current market value. An employee from Encore will sign the form when you drop off the items.

Sell
Here are some of our favorite consigments stores: 
Crowded Closet, Inc.
Designer Consigner
Davis-Miller Designer Consignment Salon
My Best Friend’s Closet
Plato’s Closet

Details: Call ahead because some stores only purchase clothing when their store is low on inventory. Also, some stores will only accept high-end designer clothes, while others carry a broader range of clothing.

E Drop Off

This online service, shopedropoff.com, resells high end and luxury items on eBay. This Chicago-based company offers free nationwide pick-up through UPS or in person. Their commission is 40% of the sale, and they give bonuses if you refer friends! They also provide services like closet clean out and if you're local and interested in buying a piece, you can drop by their offices on Halsted St. to try it on before bidding.

Valuables: Jewelry, Fine Art, Household Items

Sell
Where: Craigslist.org and eBay.com are your best bets. Selling online will get you 4 to 5 times as much as in a yard sale.

Details:
Pictures are everything on eBay. Photograph jewelry against a dark background.
List a minimum reserve if your item is valuable and you want to guarantee a minimum sale price.
Make the auction live for 7 days. According to eBay, items sell best on Thursday and Sunday nights.
Consider pricing your items low so that the bidding gets more exciting.
Need more ideas? Check out this article: Online Tools for Selling Your Treasures

Books

Donate
Where: At your local public library
Details: Call ahead to see if there are any books they don’t accept (like textbooks).

Sell
Here are some of the best websites for selling your old books (and buying new ones!)
abebooks.com
eBay.com
Craigslist.org
Cash4Books.net
BlueRocketBooks.com
Half.com

Stuffed Animals

Donate
Where: LovingHugs.org
Details: This organization sends stuffed animals to children in war zones, refugee camps, orphanages and medical facilities. You pay postage, but both the present value of the stuffed toys and the postage are deductible.

Glasses

Donate
Where: LensCrafters: Various locations in the city and suburbs
Details: Gently used prescriptions glasses and non-prescription sunglasses. “OneSight” was founded by LensCrafters in 1988. They have hand-delivered eye care and eyewear to more than 7 million people worldwide. For more information, visit onesight.org.

Furniture

Donate
Where: Salvation Army and Goodwill: Both provide pick up service and provide you with a tax receipt.
Church Rummage Sales: Contact any of the upcoming North Shore sales and see if they need donations.

Sell
Where: Antique and Art Consignment, Highwood
Details: 50/50 consignment store. Send a photo of the piece you are interested in selling to see if they are interested.

Where: Anna's Mostly Mahogany, Highwood
Details: 50/50 consignment store. Send a photo of the piece you are interested in selling to see if they are interested.

Gold

Sell
Where: Jim Coello at North Shore Coins
Details: Gold price have been steadily climbing. Now is a good time to sell, but be careful to whom you decide to sell. Many unscrupulous businesses have tried to make quick profit on sellers who don’t know the value of what they have. ALWAYS get more than one estimate!

Insider tip: Not sure it’s the best time to sell? Download a free gold app on your iPhone and you can track the live prices and follow the fluctuation on line.

iPods and MP3 Players

Donate
Where: Apple retail stores
Details: Bring your old iPod to an Apple store for 10 percent off a new one.

Where: RecyclingforCharities.com
Details: RFC promises that all electronic waste is handled responsibly.

Sell
Where: Gazelle.com
Visit the website and find out within seconds what your iPod or MP3 player is worth. They'll even send you a box with a prepaid USPS label.

Gently used twin sheets, comforters and blankets

Donate
Where: YWCA Evanston/North Shore and Mary Lou’s Place
Details: Mary Lou’s Place is a domestic violence shelter for abused women and their children.
For more information call the Development Office at 847-864-8445.

Bicycles

Donate
Where: Pedal Power
Details: Started by a family in Wilmette, this event accepts bikes each November to benefit Hull House. For more information, visit gopedalpower.com.

Sell and Donate
Where: Winnetka Community House Bike Sale
Details: Every May people flock to the Winnetka Community House front lawn to buy and sell bicycles, tricycles, and scooters raising nearly $2,000 for Community House programs and classes.

Sellers began arriving at 8:30 a.m. to have their bikes appraised by the Wilmette Bike Shop.

Call in April for date and time 847-446-0537.