Monday, November 15, 2010

Where to Dispose of Household Goods

Occasionally, you'll have a property full of furniture and house hold items, only problem being, you don't want it. I'm going to assume that you have the right to dispose of it (ie it doesn't belong to a tenant or is a hire purchase). Here are some options for disposing of goods so they can do a bit more good in the world before they are junked:
1. Call an antique dealer or second hand trader. They may take the lot, or pick and choose. They (hopefully) will pay you. Expect to get relatively less for a house-lot than for individual items of value.
2. Auction items on Trademe. Try a $1 reserve and watch them go. You might want to make it buyer pick-up to save you a lot of running around. Great if you have a camera, internet connection, and a bit of time to set it up and let the auctions run.
3. Charity stores like Salvation Army may be interested. Be aware, they are rather fussy these days and will not take junk. They will pick up if you have a number of items, they won't pay for them.
4. New Migrant and Refugee Services may want furniture and household goods. They will pick up, and they won't pay for items.
5. Recycling centres at landfills may take all kinds of things. Some pick up, and you won't get paid.
6. Give away to friends, family, and starving students. They may or may not pay you for it.
7. Talk to specific collectors of any special items eg film buffs for old movie equipment and reels.
8. Archives or Museums for any items of historical interests. You may be surprised what is interesting to people, like old letters and clothes. Before you biff, ask if they want to look at it.
9. Schools, hospitals, pre-schools, and anywhere with a waiting room may appreciate books and magazines, and toys. You will likely have to drop them off.
10. Have a garage sale. You may make some money off this. Do put up signage about a week beforehand, and maybe put an ad in the paper.
11. Food can go to foodbanks. You might need to drop off, or use bins at supermarkets.
12. Blankets and bedding, and newspaper can go to SPCA. You may need to drop off or use bins at recycling centres.
13. Old carpets and rugs may please a gardener - they make good mulch and weed mat. They might pick up.
14. Metal recyclers or waste exchanges will take electronic goods (like Earthlink). You might get paid for them if the metal content is sufficiently valuable.
15. Take what ever is left over to the tip. There are fees for this, and more for items like car tyres. Hopefully this is your last option and is only for a very small pile of what ever cannot be re-homed elsewhere.

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