Sunday, December 1, 2019

SELL? DONATE? GIVE AWAY?

Donating goods to charity ain't what it used to be.


When I moved back into the condo with the family, the office (Mr. Ralph's pride and joy) was put into storage.  To the right in this photo is my desk that extends at a right angle from the 110" primary wall of professionalism.

I first advertised on Craigslist.  Not one serious nibble.  Then I tried our local Facebook selling pages.  Not one nibble.  Then I put it on my Facebook page .. still nothing.

Next I called around to my favorite charities that have resale shops.  All of them said no, too fancy for their buyers and they couldn't use it as their own office because it might give customers the wrong impression.  I talked to everyone and finally my neighbor at the old house said that they might have room as their last kidlet just left the nest.  I have visiting privileges.  They have quite a few things from the old house so I always feel at home, in more ways than one.


Most charities no longer pick up at your home.  I went through all the same avenues to find a home for a 90" leather Lazy Boy recliner sofa.  No one will accept recliners or sofa beds.   Finally put it in the "free" section of Craigslist and it was gone the next day.  This giant sofa took up half of our tiny living room.


We decided to keep the Relax The Back chairs and footstools from the old "man cave" and put them where the sofa was.  The room seems instantly bigger. We can easily put the footstools on the chairs and the boys have much more room on the floor.


Last but not least ..  the reading chair that was in our office at the old house, then in the master bedroom at the condo ... will be going to Goodwill next week.  It will fit in the van.  (notice the end of my desk to the left.)

Where are needy people when I have things to give away?

8 comments:

  1. I am in the exact, same position with a fancy oak desk and filing cabinet that was my husband's pride and joy and I dearly love it. Rich people who want yours and my style desks/offices don't buy used. I know if I send it off the auction house it could go for a $20 bid and that would break my heart.

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    1. When I was young, we bought everything second hand (except mattresses). Maybe that's an "OK, Boomer" thing?

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  2. I know what you mean. I have the same issue with furniture I'd like to remove from the house to free up space. In my younger years I would have loved to get nice, slightly used furniture.

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    Replies
    1. Ditto! I could have done consignment but transportation is still the problem. So glad appliance people haul the old one away!

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  3. When we were disposing of hubby's parents' home, no one would buy the big furniture like the big dining room table with 12 chairs, 3 leaves, big dresser, etc. We finally since we were moving and not taking them with us put them on Craigslist and had homes for them a day or so later but that was even fun to deal with (not) because people would say they would be there to pick up and then not show up, etc. You are right too, Goodwill or the like won't pick up stuff like this any more. Virtually impossible for them to move it in the stores.

    betty

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    1. And Craigslist can be scary ... thank goodness we have a man in the house. If I'm buying, I make him come with me!

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  4. We had the same problem when we downsized and ended up giving quite a few large items away. It was a joy to see the people who wanted them so happy with their "new" furnishing. We listed them on the Next Door website in our area and said they had to provide the muscle and transportation to move the item. They went quickly and I don't regret it at all.

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    Replies
    1. When we downsized from the big house, we traded workmen for projects in the new condo. Somehow it all works out!

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