Second chances

I like to fix and repair things. I’m willing to go to fairly unusual lengths to maintain, repair, and upgrade things to squeeze more use out of things. I have repaired things like a dishwasher, many computers, a washing machine, a microwave, 2 refrigerators, many backpacks, toys, bikes, etc.  For things that are gently used and still working, I just couldn’t bear to throw it away. Especially technology things that I have put in time to upgrade, repair, and keep it running for as long as possible. 

source (credit : theprettyplaneteer)

My options are 

• Throw it away
• Donate it
• Sell by second hand store
• Sell by owner
• Rent it

The big picture. 

• I want to live and help all of us to live more sustainably with less consumption
• I want low hassle and deal with reasonable people (avoid hustlers and fraudsters)
• I want to give once cared for things a second chance at a new home

Here are the winners based on my experiences. 

• For books and medias, the local library is the best choice. I frequently visit and see many people donate and purchase items from the local library. The volunteers are very nice. It’s a good community of people that care and share the books. I have sold textbooks on Amazon and eBay. Amazon is better with a low fraud rate and convenient transactions, but more hassle to setup and maintain the account for low volume sellers. eBay is mixed. Craiglist is a sh*t show. I’m staying away from both for now
• For cloth, 2nd Street thrift store has been the only option for a few nicer pieces of cloth. The rest has been donated but I’m highly uncertain how those donations get handled. I’m a bit weary of them. 
• For furnitures, sport equipments, and kitchen appliances, I had good experiences on Facebook Marketplace. Most people show up for meetings on time, make an effort to communicate, and low fraudsters, and only a few hardcore hagglers. Occasionally, I get a story. Once I sold my daughter’s gently used bike to grandparents who are raising their granddaughter abandoned by her mom. It’s sad but also heartwarming that there are good people that do their best for their family and making ends meet. 
• I recently discovered Yoodlize. I’m going to give that a try. I suspect early adopters are most likely people that share my value on sustainable living. 

What’s your philosophy and practice on second hand things? 

Ricky