how to give away bits'n'bobs

[roger9182]

How to give away a collection of several audio & computer cables and an Apple iPod nano (2006 vintage) etc for free?  Maybe someone can use or sell -- better than simply chucking into landfill!

I cannot package or post, but

I can deliver to any London tube/rail/DLR/tram station.

Should I create a listing of the stuff pointing out free delivery to London station?

[61stephenuk]

You can't give items away on eBay,it's a selling site, try local Facebook pages, Gumtree or similar

[roger9182]

OK, I'll sell for £0.01.
The point is I cannot package or post, no returns, no aftersale support, and I cannot spend much time on enquiries.

I don't have Facebook or socials.  I have tried Freecycle, but this is only local not Londonwide.

Someone else could sell on the bits individually for approx £50-£100 total, but I don't have the time or ability.  If no takers then it'll have to get wasted in landfill.

[papso22]

You can list as collection only at the lowest price ebay will allow, but the sale will still be covered by the money back guarantee. 

[red_magpie]

eBay is an online business, not a charity. As you can see below, it doesn't allow its site to be used for giving things away.

You can sell items for the lowest price for which eBay will allow you to list them for sale, but will have to register as a seller first, and nominate a bank account to be used for this purpose. Cash sales are not permitted so your buyers will have to pay online through eBay's checkout. No collection address can be given to the buyer until they have paid. eBay's mandatory "Buyer Protection Fee" will be added to the cost.  eBay's money back guarantee will apply to your sales.

If you just want to give items away there are sites line NextDoor that will enable you to do this.

[john1297576]

Why not give to a charity shop, or contact Salvation Army I believe they will collect.

[roger9182]

Q:  Why not charity shop?

A:  Charity shops don't know what to do with specialised gear, it takes someone knowledgeable in the gear and nationwide reach over the Web.  (My sister works for a charity shop, they accept all sorts but then get stuck with things they can't use and then have to pay to dispose of it.)
Recycling centres also don't have the savvy or individual processes for tech gear -- they simply strip the metal.

Items such as these are on sale on eBay.  I'd hoped to find someone who can accept the items for free in London and know how to sell it on with all the packaging & despatch & handling that I cannot do myself, (& possibly refurbish the iPod nano), thus making £50-£100 for their trouble (more for any refurb).

'Freecycle' only works locally and posts disappear after a day or 2, so unlikely to reach someone tech-savvy.  It's also mainly for household items.  ('Freecycle' members have taken my spotlights and electric extension cables.)

[tressygirl · Accepted solution]

@roger9182  wrote:  Someone else could sell on the bits individually for approx £50-£100 total, but I don't have the time or ability.  If no takers then it'll have to get wasted in landfill.

You could list it for collection only, so no packing involved,  and if you think the amount is worth between £50 - £100 then surely listing it for £5 / £10  it would sell quickly,  then you could put that money into one of the many charity boxes around town.

[roger9182]

Thanks very much.  I guess this is the solution to easily getting tech gear into the hands of someone who has the know-how to market, describe, package, possibly refurbish, and sell it on taking a turn (fee) for their trouble, and then on to someone who wants it & can use it.  (Better than landfill or scrap metal!)

Hope it's not too much of a palaver for this 60-something ex-techie: setting up accounts, navigating this website, handling enquiries, etc -- we'll see.  It seems eBay allows donating all proceeds to charity so no need for a Paypal account.

[61stephenuk]

You will need to setup a bank account when you start listing to receive payments from eBay. Paypal is no longer used, this account will also be used for any refunds or payments eBay may need to take if you use any optional upgrades even if you donate all proceeds to charity