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What's the first thing you'd sell? the last?

Quote:

View: READ THE FULL STORY: Craigslist ads reveal homeowners' woes
Source: Latimes
posted with the TFP thread generator

READ THE FULL STORY: Craigslist ads reveal homeowners' woes
READ THE FULL STORY: Craigslist ads reveal homeowners' woes
Tales of unemployment, debt and desperation are writ large on the classifieds website.
By Veronique de Turenne > > >

February 21, 2009

It's there if you look, coded into the swirls and whorls of the civic fingerprint that is Craigslist, a hidden narrative of lives dissolving. No big headlines here, no billion-dollar corporations seeking bailouts. It's just you and me, the little people, the laid-off people, swamped by the growing financial crisis and going broke in plain sight.

Brand new VW bug -- take over payments.

For as long as it has been around, Craigslist has been both marketplace and mirror, reflecting the public mood. In the boom-boom land rush of the last few years, everyone, it seemed, had a home to remodel. The online bazaar was an HGTV fantasy gone wild, with Wolf ranges and Bosch dishwashers and double-wide fire-clay farmhouse sinks to be had for a song. There were sectional sofas, barely used, Shabby Chic bedding still in its box. The ads were breezy, and buyers were plentiful. You had to jump on the good stuff or it would be gone.

Grandma's wedding china for sale, cheap.

It's a different story today, quite literally. Craigslist ads now tell the tales of lost jobs and lost security, of pinched budgets and ballooning debt. It's filled with decent people who find themselves on the verge of calamity. So they're looking through their houses and poking through garages, offering up for sale anything that might bring in a few spare dollars, might buy another month or maybe two. It's trickle-down economics, plain and simple.

PhD in history. Will tutor, $12 an hour.

For Jennifer Campana, a single mom living in Tarzana, the trouble started when she was laid off by a midsize entertainment public relations firm in July.

"I was completely blindsided," Campana said. "At the time they cut me, I was the only one. Within a month, the rest of the layoffs had started."

Campana filed for unemployment and used the checks to pay her mortgage. Gas and groceries went on a credit card, the balance of which now tops $16,000. As the clock on her benefits ran down, she struggled to find new work. She'd land an interview, get dressed up, gas up the car, drive across town, pay to park and, after meeting with the hiring director, learn there wasn't a job after all.

"They'd tell me, 'There's a lot of talent out there, and we're just collecting résumés,' " she said. "That's happening a lot. They're not exactly honest about it, but what can you do?"

What Campana wound up doing was combing her house for anything she could sell to raise cash. Small items, easily shipped, she offered on EBay. With the U.S. dollar so weak, she found herself selling and sending her possessions to international bargain hunters. A DVR player was quickly snapped up by someone in South Korea. An antique candy dish found a new owner in England.

Craigslist has produced mixed results. Her furniture, when it sells at all, goes for a fraction of its previous value. But ads she placed for baby-sitting, for ferrying children to and from school and play dates, have brought a bit of work.

"I haven't done any baby-sitting since I was 15 years old," Campana said. "But this is what I'm doing right now, selling my things, doing everything I can."

my 11 yr old son and i lost our apt due to being laid off my job. we are currently tent camping at state beach and need shelter. anyone that can help or possibly donate would be appreciated. john

People who have worked their entire lives are finding themselves not just jobless, but without prospects. The ads they post to Craigslist as they sell their prized possessions read like love letters.

Rob in West Covina is selling his cherried-out '68 Mercury Cougar for $4,300. His Craigslist ad has so much detail -- "1406 four barrel carb with matching Edelbrock intake . . . Screw in studs, roller rockers, taller valve covers" -- it's equal parts sales pitch and requiem.

"I hated to list this car, but I was laid off a couple of months ago," Rob wrote. "I am 45, and for the first time in my life, I have had to resort to selling my tools, and now I am forced to part with my Cougar."

Tracee J., meanwhile, who used to earn a good living selling cars and vans adapted for people with disabilities, faces losing her house. Soon after she was laid off last year, she learned more about the mortgage on her condo in the Hollywood Hills. She trusted her real estate agent, she said, and at his urging signed on for a five-year adjustable interest-only loan.

"Stupid," she said. "I didn't know what I was doing."

Then the recession hit her employer, and Tracee lost her job. She filed for unemployment and went out on interviews. No luck. As benefits ran out, she launched Accomplished With Tracee J, a shot at being a professional organizer.

But business is slow, and mortgage payments are huge, so Tracee J. is selling her possessions. Or trying to. Her grandmother's china, a set of pristine Spode, is for sale, not a serious buyer in sight.

"It was a wedding gift to my grandparents from their parents," she said. "Four generations in the same family."

Tracee's asking $2,500. She's been offered $900. It's insulting, but she understands. "Who's spending $2,500 for china right now?" she asked. "Who has that kind of spare cash?"

So far, selling her furniture -- she got $1,400, about 10% of what she thought it was worth -- has kept Tracee afloat. This month, anyway.

"I've worked all my life," Tracee said. "I never imagined anything like this would be happening today. I may have to sell my home."

And until then?

"I'm just trying to be positive, thinking that I've been through tough times before and landed on my feet," Tracee said. "Really, I have to think that way because, otherwise, I'd be a wreck."

This is quite sad the state of affairs some of the people find themselves.

I don't have a lot of things anymore, that is those things that are of supposed "value". We have a few art pieces, I guess those would be to sort out the first item. I have a pair of Wyland lucite sculptures and some silk rugs we bought in India. When we purchased any of these things we didn't purchase them for the resale or investment, but just because we liked them and they represent some sort of experience for us. I guess I'd part with the limited edition lucite sculptures first.

EDIT: Actually, Skogafoss and I have already discussed it long ago and I had forgotten it, we'd sell the car we own. It currently rests in a garage that costs us $350/month to rent in downtown Manhattan.

The last thing I'd part with is a sturdy gold chain and medallion that I wear every day and have worn just about every day since I graduated from high school. It was a gift from my grand mother, it bears St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of desperate causes and impossible missions.

If you found yourself in financial peril, what's the first thing you'll sell off? What is the last?

First would be my car, then probably some old books ive not used in a while, then maybe a few of my olympus lenses.

Last would be wedding ring, or some of the old family heirlooms, like this little statue of Freud I got.

I put my 1949 Cadillac in Craigslist the week I got laid off, but it didn't sell and I have to wait 30 days before I can repost.
I have a lot of crap lying around the house, but nothing worth listing, really, besides the car. I haven't yet gotten to the point where I want to part with my dolls or my little houses, but if anyone wants 5 storage boxes of kids' clothes and two broken Epson printers.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg (Post 2599433)

I put my 1949 Cadillac in Craigslist...

Yeah, I still want that car. But, I'm in the same laid off boat, so no money to purchase, transport or restore said beauty to her original glory.

I dunno...this economy sucks stinky ass, but we're weathering it...ok, I guess. Part of that is due to my natural frugality. I've never been one to rush out and buy the biggest, brightest and the flashiest of anything. We own a modest home. One that we could comfortably afford. I did not rush out and fill it full of expensive furnishings bought on credit. I don't need, nor do I want, an expensive flashy car. I drive a 94 Ford Explorer, that's in excellent shape, and my wife drives a 97 Saturn that's in pretty decent shape. Both are 100% paid for. I carry 0 credit card debt, so the only real "debt" that we have is our mortgage. We have the lights, the gas, the phone and the standard things of that ilk. But, other than that, we owe nobody anything. And, right now, that's a very good thing.

Quote:

she got $1,400, about 10% of what she thought it was worth

This is what I'm talking about. I cannot even begin to imagine having $14,000 worth of furniture.

It would bother me but the car would probably go first. The DVD collection and one of the laptops would be next. The TV and camera would probably be last. Need some sort of diversion.
I can't think of a single thing in this house I wouldn't part with. Guess I'm not that sentimental...

Some tools, DVDs, washer & dryer.

It would be really hard to have to sell my perfect house. But I would if I couldn't find any work or make any money for 4-5 years.

I wouldn't sell my survival/camping gear or my computers.

I'd sell my car first. Then my house. Then the rest, if need be.

I'd put my wife on the corner.. she'd bring in a nice paycheck :p

kidding.

I haven't really thought about what I'd sell first. I'd probably sell one of the cars first..then just start finding what else had some value. It's hard to really sell anything these days as most people don't have the money for extra things..much less someone else's junk

I'm already kind of selling my talent as a designer by picking up freelance work wherever I can. I went and played at a downtown street corner on a busy Saturday night two weeks ago and will probably continue to do this as the weather gets warmer.

I personally could part with many things: one of our cars, the TV, the Wii, the XBox, CDs and DVDs, books, kitchen appliances (fryer, bread maker, ice cream maker, fondue pot), my 3 year old bicycle, some seldom used power tools in the basement. Problem with most of these things is that they are shared possessions, and my other half probably wouldn't let them go as easily.

I will not part with my violin, even though it would probably bring in the most money. And I won't sell my bike.

My question is, if many of us are in the same boat with trying to sell our not-quite-prized possessions in order to make ends meet for ourselves, how long will others be around that will be willing (and able) to buy them from us?

I'd sell all of my guns, my motorcycle, etc. I'd be left with my car and my clothes, CDs and my books.

I don't have a lot of material wealth so I'm kinda screwed if I lose what is in the bank.

I'm not very big on things or sentiment.

First to go would be my new camping trailer. I got a good deal on it, we'll use the hell out of it; but it is definately a luxury.

Last to go? My motorcycle. Book value on it isn't very high, it is totally customized to my taste.

Not going under any circumstance? Molly, my dog. Her and I will be sleeping under bridges together if it comes to that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crompsin (Post 2599609)

I'd sell all of my guns, my motorcycle, etc. I'd be left with my car and my clothes, CDs and my books.

I don't have a lot of material wealth so I'm kinda screwed if I lose what is in the bank.

Not the bike!!!!!:eek:

NGDawg,

It's just a purdy hunk of metal, lady. And you said it was tiny anyway! 'Sides, I can always get another bike later when I'm rollin' dough from my hot-hot fed LE job (gag).

...

This thread totally goes with my user title and that makes me happy. Makes me wanna start a new thread.

I would get rid of my truck first. Last, would be my Condo. I also could get rid of my: xbox, ps3, treadmill.

I have a coin collection that was worth quite a bit but since the market is overloaded with people trying to sell coins right now, I doubt it's worth very much anymore. I would rather not sell it; I have a very cool 1849 penny and various silver dollars, including a Morgan dollar.

I wouldn't sell my laptop. Its entertainment value is worth more than what I could get for it.

I don't really have a lot of valuables. I suppose I could always sell my Wii or iPod, but I just don't think it would be worth it. I get more out of both than I would out of the money I'd get from the sale.

I would happily lose my house. Seriously. Its a shit hole in the worst part of town, I get burgled every 6 months or so and I have £25000 negative equity in it.

If Northern Rock are ever stupid enough to try and repossess it I'd bite their hands off and ask them to make me bankrupt while they were at it. To be honest Im not that far from declaring myself bankrupt anyway and telling all my creditors to wank for it.

I'd start with DVDs - they have some re-sale value. I would sell time if I could - consulting or otherwise.

I don't have much to sell beyond that. I can't sell my car as I need it for work, and my house if my family's home.

The first: One of my guns.
The last: My last gun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlish (Post 2600293)

my virginity..im 31

First or last?

both. first and last

haha

First: CD's (they've all been uploaded, anyhow), some of my furniture, some of my superfluous kitchen crap.

Last: my computer. It has my photos, my music, my writing....everything I treasure.

I'm not suffering too badly right now, given that I've always been broke, and I'm still broke. Unfortunately, I'm entering the job market for the first time this fall. (as a full-time, out-of-school employee--I've been working since I was 17) What a horrible time to graduate.

I don't have much to sell. I have already reduced the amount of stuff I own. I was staying here, would sell off the remaining things in my basement back home (couch, bed, shelves, etc.) then I would sell off the house. After that there really isn't much left.

This is perhaps one of the most honest and up to date threads we've had on TFP. At least for us older posters who had some IRAs and inheritences. In fact, it appears many of us are all in the same boat. Seems like there are several of us starting to look around and re-evaluating what "assets" we're sitting on. And what to liquidate.

Sadly, I have a nice paid off home (I'll split with my brother) that we will be selling...and I fear that I won't get all that it's really worth since it's in Youngstown, Ohio, sitting on 1/3 acre of land. It's worth 140K. We'll be lucky to get 78K. And yeah, then there's Taxes...always the flipping Taxes.

1st the car
last my small collection of old signed first edition books

never understand the willingness to get rid of the things that mean the most to people or why some things people place high value on that others place relatively little

First, my designer brand stuff. (Clothes, shoes, perfume, makeup, etc.)

Last, my car.

1st thing I'd sell would be entertainment items, TV, DVD, video game systems, DVDs and CDs, books, etc. Then sporadically used furniture and tools. My car is one of the last things I'd sell. It isn't worth squat (maybe $1500), it's paid for, and it is too useful as potential future jobs may rely on it. Also my computer is way down the list as it too is pretty important to have. I only have a couple of family heirlooms, they aren't worth much $wise and they take up virtually no space so they aren't going anywhere.

My car, I suppose, since work and school are both nearby.

The only other things I have of value, I could never sell. Jewelry from my mother, my camera...my computer, perhaps...but the value is in what I have stored on it...not the hardware.

I have cds, books and movies, but that stuff isn't really valuable.

My camera, I guess would be the last thing I would sell. At least I would be able to photograph my own nosedive into impoverishment and that would be kind of interesting.

Is selling the children bad? ;)

My house is pretty well setup; transport wise and shopping wise (can easily walk to both train and supermarket). The car would probably be first to go. I really don't have too many other possessions that would fetch much, though we are going to be offloading baby things soon - have a decent 3 wheeled jogger pram that will probably sell well, though without a car this might actually get more use!

I have lots of books, but I don't think they have a great re-sale value, but might be a place to start.

Last? I think the house would be the last to go and I'd have to be pretty desperate to do it.

First would be my toy car that isn't even running and all our luxury baby trash...we've got $1500 in strollers, for example. Who knows what would be last...probably my shotgun, as if things were getting that desperate, it might be needed.

This is a hard one for me.

Before our wedding, the only thing I owned of any value was my car.
Now we have a kitchen of wedding gifts. I suppose someone would consider those worthwhile.

The last to go? The silver hairpiece my grandmother gave to me just before leaving.

for me it would be some computers and game systems. probably followed up by one of our cars. then some furniture. got some autographed books i could part with i suppose. last of all? probably the house. heh, we would have to sell enough crap to fit into a smaller one or an apartment. :)