Ok so I'll do my update first. This month was really good in some ways and I kind of got lazy in others.... So after we bought our new TV we tried to hook up our DVD player and unfortunately it turns out our DVD player is so old we would have had to get a special and expensive cable so we decided to get a new one. We purchased a Blu ray player and will be donating our DVD player this week.
We also cleaned house and got rid of a ton of baby stuff, change table, booster chair, and a ton of baby clothes. I would normally sell these things but I knew I would be buying a few new things so the Salvation Army got a big donation !! So now for the lazy bit. My daughter and I are headed to BC for 2 weeks and I wanted to fill her travel suitcase with new toys to keep her occupied as any parent who travels with toddlers knows, you need new and interesting things to keep you from being "that parent and kid" on the plane! I did look at a few 2nd hand stores and found one good toy and the rest I got new. I know I covered my bases with all my donations ( as per rule #4) but had I not left the suitcase filling to the last minute I would have been able to find more 2nd hand. The thing I find the hardest about the 2nd hand plan is that it takes a lot more time and leg work. I got lazy and didn't plan ahead so I filled her suitcase and my boots and my neighbourhood box store.
Now on to other topics. I donated most things this week but my daughter's crib set I decided to sell on Kijiji, mostly as it was expensive and it was in mint condition. I wanted to get a little $$ for it to help cancel out the new Blue ray player. This brings me to the main point and topic of this blog. What makes Kijiji such a great service and the other sites like it is that it allows people like me to sell things to other families who are also like me in the search for the 2nd hand deal. It takes out the middle man ( not that I'm knocking consignment because it is also a GREAT service) and allows us to help each other out face to face. I love knowing that I am selling a few quality items at a very fair price and saving someone a lot of money. Now as great as Kijiji is there are a lot of people who make it a frustrating, time consuming process. So here is some friendly and helpful advice, or maybe it's just a rant. You decide.
I listed the crib set a few months ago and got a few questions and offers immediately but most people made insultingly low offers, or asked to set up times and then never got back to me. All in all it took 2 months to set up a time with someone who was serious after the 3 who asked to set up times then bailed without so much as an email. So here are my top 5 Kijiji irks.
1. Post your items in the right category, and double check your listing for accuracy. Spell check anyone?!
2. Make sure you describe all relevant details. For example size for furniture, all relevant measurements, colour of items (photos are rarely accurate), and sizes for clothing/shoes
3. If you ask to see an item or ask to buy it , do not just bail, send a polite changed my mind email
4. Do not ask people to hold an item if you are not serious about buying it, be honest in your communication !
5. Respond to all emails, if you have sold the item DELETE THE AD !
So whether it is Kijiji, Craigslist, or whatever site your community uses be thankful for it, use it politely and considerately . And remember there is a lot of good stuff on Kijiji, at your local thrift shops, and at consignment stores waiting to be given a 2nd life !!
