Auction it on EBAY
If you no longer need it, someone else might really want it. And they may be prepared to pay good money for it. So why not auction it on eBay?
You will find a new user, liberate some space in your home and raise money to help you change the world - all in one go!
...create hope from junk
Take Action
Go through your possessions, identify all the things you no longer need and which you think someone else might want to buy from you. Then start selling. See how much you can raise!
If you are not already hooked on eBay, there are simple instructions on the website on how to buy and sell. You can also buy guidebooks that will help you through the process.
More about eBay
eBay was created in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar as an online marketplace for buying and selling. He wanted to create an efficient internet trading space for individuals and small businesses.
eBay pioneered an auction format with a simple, easy-to-understand mechanism that lets buyers and sellers decide the true value of items, build relationships with others, and become part of the eBay community. Pierre and co-founder Jeff Skoll are now major philanthropists.
eBay now has 114 million registered users, trading in more than 50,000 different categories in 29 different countries. At any time there will be more than 25 million items for sale. 3.5 million new items are added each day. People have auctioned everything from genuine Glastonbury mud (sold for a staggering £490) to a 40lb buffalo head (complete with detachable horns).
Charity auctions on eBay
In the UK, eBay has a Charity Page, where non-profit making organisations can publicise their auctions. Selling fees still have to be paid, but this provides some free additional publicity.
Approach celebrities, and see if they will give you things to sell. They may sign something, provide some bit of memorabilia or get you tickets to an upcoming film premiere.
Dave Rowntree, drummer with Blur, offered to auction two hours of his time for a drumming lesson and a glass of champagne.
Just ask. You will find that many people will be prepared to help you.
eBay charity page: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/charity/information.html
Find Out More
Download a factsheet on buying and selling on eBay: www.harrimanhouse.com/ebay/factsheet.htm
This is based on The eBay Book by David Belbin.
Information about the charitable foundation set up by Pierre Omidyar: www.omidyar.org
Information about the charitable foundation set up by Jeff Skoll: www.skollfoundation.org
The Great Chicago Fire Sale
This was the first charitable eBay auction, organised by a municipality to raise money for the arts.
Items donated for the sale included a 1960s Playboy bunny costume, a dinner party prepared by Art Smith, personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, the opportunity to dye the Chicago River Green, and much more.
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Swords into ploughshares?
Take 10 things that you no longer really need and sell them on eBay. Then donate the proceeds to help turn a burnt out tank in Sierra Leone into farm implements to help in the rebuilding of this war-torn country.
Tell all your friends to do the same.
