Online Markets Take The Yard Out of Sales

The truly 21st-century yard sale is not taking place on driveways or a patch of lawn in front of a house. It's being held on Craigslist, eBay and other online marketplaces. These sites, especially eBay, expand a seller's potential customer base astronomically and increase the odds that one person's junk becomes someone else's treasure. What's more, rain or shine, the Internet sale goes on.

"Craigslist is my top choice for selling big bulky items, such as sofas and dining room sets, because the cost of shipping big items on eBay can be exorbitant. EBay is perfect for selling small items, brand names and collectibles," says Jennifer Hearn of Bethesda, who has sold an entire house, down to the windows and the kitchen sink, using Craigslist and eBay.

Even people with relatively little Web experience find these sites straightforward to navigate. The only requirements are having something worth selling (and on Craigslist and eBay, even your uncle's stuffed wildebeest head can sell), access to a digital camera and a computer.

Whatever online site you use, consider this basic advice:

· Before you post something for sale, research the going rate for similar items. "No matter what or where you are selling online, the best place to find current prices is eBay's 'completed listings,' " says Nicholas Kawczynski, a 19-year-old college student from Gaithersburg who is setting up his own online store.

· Sell to your audience. These sites are attractive to real bargain hunters, so they're probably not the place to try selling an original Picasso.

· Make your listing descriptive but brief, and use a large, easily readable type font. Be sure to include color, dimensions and condition of your items.

· Always use photos! They're the No. 1 online selling tool.