If you’re reading this, then you have internet, and if you have internet (unless you live under a rock, running a hamster-powered laptop), you’re aware of sites such as Craig’s List, eBay, and Amazon. If it’s up for sale, then you can bet what you’re looking for is just a click away on one of those sites. To be fair, there are most certainly others out there on the web, but for the purposes of this article we’ll focus on the shopping trinity previously mentioned.
What makes Amazon, Craig’s List, and eBay such valuable tools is the fact that they are powered by the consumer. In other words, individuals not corporate executives determine pricing. One man’s scratch-n-dent is another man’s treasure. Therefore, anything (and I do mean anything) can be bought and sold on these sites.
Although Amazon doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for haggling, Craig’s List and eBay do. For those unfamiliar with these sites, Craig’s List, simply put is big classifieds ad; eBay, on the other hand is an auction site. The latter determines price on items based on who bids what, making purchases a gamble or a steal. On Craig’s List, you’re dealing directly with the buyer/seller, pretty well eliminating the middle man. And just like folks at a yard sale, you can almost always knock a few bucks off the asking price. Plus, because the majority of what is for sale has been previously owned/used, you get an even bigger break.
Becoming familiar with these sites, if you haven’t already, is essential. In my personal shopping, I use Craig’s List to price out firewood for the winter. I can compare prices while finding local deals that won’t appear anywhere else on the internet. If bric-a-brac is your weakness, then eBay is the place for you. It’s a great starting place for Christmas shopping, for example. And for whatever else you can’t find, Amazon has it. They are kind of the catch-all of internet shopping, and at great prices.
But buying is only half the story. So you’ve bought all this stuff, and now you’re immersed in clutter. Why not sell the things you don’t want/need anymore on the same sites? From books, music, and DVD’s to cars, wedding dresses, and toys; you name it, it can be bought and sold. In fact, you can place an ad in Craig’s List for your next yard sale, inviting all who are looking for yard sales in your area to find you.
Quite literally, the possibilities are endless. Buy and sell anything you want at below retail prices. And if that’s not being thrifty, I don’t know what is. One final note as I wrap this up; if you should choose to check out these sites for the first time, recognize that Amazon and eBay end in “.com” and Craig’s List is “.org”. As the holidays creep upon us, may your shopping experience this season save you money.
Image Credit: Amazon