Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
I am a hoarder. I keep hundreds of things, whether it is all my to-do lists, pads, old photographs, etc. I also keep all sorts of equipment that I bought some time in the distant past and in some cases never ever used. That is obviously a little bit of a waste of money, but like most people, when I buy something I do truly believe I really need it at that time! I guess we are all just consumers and of course that keeps the economy going. If we all stop buying the economy will be in a far worse condition than our South African economy already is.
I recently decided to try and put some of my stuff up for sale and I got some tips from somebody who told me to put them up for auction on auction-type sites with a very low starting value to get more interest and an offer to accept returns – in other words, if the person is unhappy they can send it back. I did all of that and I sold one of my Canon battery grips – which is a piece of equipment that allows you to essentially double up the battery capacity to one of your cameras. I did not get back what it cost me, but I did get 40% back which is far more than I would have got if I continued to leave it in my cupboard as I do with most things. The starting amount was ultimately multiplied by four and it inspired me to get together some of the other nonsense I have that I don’t use and sell that as well.
Some of it is not nonsense – such as my last laptop, which I am sure will never attract anywhere near its real value, because people are not keen to get second-hand computers, but I can either put it up for auction and get something for it or I can leave it in my cupboard until it becomes a museum piece or a paperweight! I strongly recommend if you have any unused items out there that you would like to sell that you go ahead and sell it! You may well find that you have a few things around your house, while they don’t have much value, will have some value – and it is better to get something for them than never use them again! I tend to buy a lot of gadgets that I don’t ultimately use much, and apart from that I am really overstocked on cameras and camera equipment. I recently discovered that what I thought was three professional Canon cameras turned out to be four – so one of them is going to be sold next.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 02-Oct-17
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Comments
Liz said:
on Friday 27-Oct-17 03:59 PM
I do not have a problem with buying gadgets I do not necessarily need but I tend to do this with clothes. I, however , find it easier to just donate these than to sell as people are not too willing to buy second hand clothing.
Prishani said:
on Friday 27-Oct-17 08:29 AM
I have never used a website like this although, it would be very helpful for me, because I have lots of items I could sell and someone could use instead of it just collecting dust in my room! It is always something I wanted to try.
Nicolle said:
on Friday 13-Oct-17 09:13 AM
I tend to donate to charity stores. This is satisfying on multiple levels. It's "charitable" and you get rid of your "junk."
Ashleigh said:
on Wednesday 11-Oct-17 07:55 AM
There is a lot of sites you could sell your stuff. Bid or Buy, Gumtree, etc... When I don't want things anymore, I prefer to just give it away to the less fortunate but I also have a problem with letting go of things... :)
brumilde said:
on Monday 09-Oct-17 10:44 AM
Bid or Buy also works the same, they have daily bets on items. a gold diamond ring, starting bet at R1. then after a few hours they close the betting, im sure they have reserves on those types of things though
Michelle said:
on Monday 09-Oct-17 08:00 AM
I won’t say that I am a hoarder because I like to do deep spring cleaning at least once a month. Sometimes I do keep things longer than I necessary need them but just feel too sorry for letting it go. It’s nice to have websites and apps like these to sell things you do not need anymore, its extra money to have.
Nicky said:
on Friday 06-Oct-17 04:49 PM
I am also a hoarder and just reading this blog gave me anxiety-and its not even my items being sold! Fortunately for me, my husband has no problem getting rid of things so Ill continue leaving that it in his capable hands. Maybe one day ill be able to join him with the cleaning out-but for now I'm just not ready yet........
Bianca R said:
on Friday 06-Oct-17 07:40 AM
My rule across the bar is that if I haven't used it in the last two months, I wont be using it and it can go, I generally donate but if i do choose to sell, it is always to someone that I know. The selling to strangers game can be dangerous, many years ago, my parents replaced our TV and decided to sell the "old TV" on Gumtree - needless to say we were ripped off and never ever saw the money and the TV was gone, for me if that could happen, it simply isn't worth it and I would rather bless someone else with the item that I am not longer using.
Natasha said:
on Wednesday 04-Oct-17 08:23 AM
My fiancé' is always on (Koop en verkoop) every day he is always selling stuff and buying things .I think its a good thing that you are able to buy and sell things from the comfort of your own home.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Wednesday 04-Oct-17 08:07 AM
I have never sold anything on OLX/Gumtree ect but my husband likes buying things and we've never had any issues with it. I think yiu have to be careful in any event but I think it's quite reliable.
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 04-Oct-17 07:12 AM
Just a couple of weeks ago I sold my Equine Books that I had from my previous studies. I was so surprised that so many people where interested in them. I definitely recommend selling all your unwanted things that just takes up unnecessary space.
Nina said:
on Tuesday 03-Oct-17 09:15 AM
I have never actually sold anything on ebay or olx or gumtree, but I agree that it is a very good idea, especially if you need the extra cash and you have been keeping things in you cuboard for years without touching them.
Sarah said:
on Tuesday 03-Oct-17 08:01 AM
I have the same problem, I keep everything. I don't feel its right to see your used things. I usually give them to someone who needs them.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 01:49 PM
I would normally give most items away but there is a group on facebook - second hand JHB and many things get sold pretty quickly. I don't think e-bay is as popular in South Africa than it is overseas. Besides with so many scams people (me) don't trust others as easily. I don't normally keep onto things for too long as it just takes up space and I don't have a lot of space for such things! My mom is a hoarder and a couple of months moved from a large house into a smaller home however her garage is just filled with items. I have told her to sell it and make a bit of money but she is rather sentimental which is actually code for hoarder central!
Clare said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 12:42 PM
I don't keep things if I have stuff and don't use it I will give it away, don't sell things it doesn't feel right to sell my used things.
Daniella said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 12:20 PM
I can easily throw things away or give things away. I'm planning on doing a massive clean out sometime soon and when I actually think of it I don't think I have anything of value to sell online.
Mathilda said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 10:38 AM
I hate a place that is over full with unnecessary stuff
I usually give stuff away that I do not use or need anymore
Liesl said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 10:05 AM
I try and work through my entire house at least once a year to get rid of anything that I may not have use for anymore, clutter can build up quite quickly and that is something you realise when you are planning to move and you need to pack everything so I like to try and keep things to the minimum where possible. I know of a few people who would often sell off things that are still in very good condition but don't need anymore and there is always someone out there looking for a bargain on something they need. I on the other hand am not good at that sort of thing and usually just end up giving it away.
Jadine Richards said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 10:04 AM
I am keen on the idea of making some money off my old and unused items however I don't think I would up for the admin involved in doing so. I think I am more likely to just give stuff away when I run out of storage space.
Tamaryn said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 09:59 AM
I'm not much of a gadget fundi so anything I would want to get rid of would not have much value on ebay. I recently did a big clean out of my cupboards and anything I didn't want to keep I gave away. It's easier to give away than going through the admin of selling, arranging shipping/delivery, payment etc. and there is always someone who is very grateful for the donation.
Alexis said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 08:54 AM
I have never used Ebay, but do know someone that loves it - whether to sell or buy and you sometimes get really good deals - I am a bit of a minimalist and do nto have much with regards to unnecessary things - so will not be something that I would ever use
Nikita said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 08:45 AM
I am not a hoarder and I can easily get rid of unused things in my house. I also prefer to donate things rather than sell them. Perhaps it is time for a spring clean of my clothing cupboard.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 08:25 AM
'One man's junk is another man's treasure'. I am not sure if e-bay is as readily used in SA but the equivalent in SA would be Gumtree. I have used it before and yes, you certainly have to be weary of certain buyers but on the whole it is a great page!
Zanell said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 08:16 AM
The problem with selling your things on these sites are that they are so many scams happening at the moment. The best way to do it is to say cash only. We have sold a few things on OLX and we didn't get much but I suppose it's better than nothing.
Bianca N said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 07:57 AM
I also keep my old, unused things, because I am scared if I throw it away, that I will need it someday so I rather just keep it, but I will need to get rid of a few things. It takes up so much space that could have been better used for new things.
Zindy said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 07:38 AM
I am guilty myself of storing unused things. Keep them for better days but they never come. I guess I find some type of sentimental value for these things. I will probably eventually land up getting rid of the stuff but don't ask me when :-D
Anna said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 07:34 AM
I'm a big believer in donating things I no longer use to charity or friends in need.
Celeste said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 07:33 AM
I don't trust putting ads up, my mom was selling a tv and a guy was interested and gave my mom his banking details and he gave the wrong banking details and he ran away with all our money.
Jadine E said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 07:30 AM
Luckily before purchasing anything, I stand back and think am I really going to need this, am I going to use anytime soon...So from there I would already determine the usage of the object before purchasing it.
David said:
on Monday 02-Oct-17 07:25 AM
my wife and i are planning a major spring clean this december. our house is full of outgrown children's toys, which serve no purpose that tripping you in the dark of the early mornings. the plan is to take everything to an orphanage, and just give it away. the pram and car seat, at R8000 purchase price, is going up for sale though. thanks for the tip on listing low, and letting the market determine the price.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
