Consignment Shops:

Just because you looked great in the lime green halter-top 20 years ago, it might not be that flattering now. And that guitar in the basement that you thought was going to bring you rock fame and fortune brought you blistered fingers and a hatred of Led Zeppellin's "Stairway to Heaven" instead.

Items like this are perfect candidates to sell on consignment. Consignment shops are full of clothing, antiques, collectibles and other household items. Selling items on consignment offers you exposure to buyers, an easy way to sell and it gets your stuff out of the house! The typical consignment agreement is 50/50 with you and the owner of the shop splitting the final sale price.

While clothing makes up most of the merchandise at consignment shops, other specialty shops offer consignment as well. There are many new and used music, jewelry, furniture, and collectible shops all over the country where you can bring an instrument or item to sell on consignment. Many will also buy the items from you outright. You won't get as much money as you would selling to another person directly, but it's a lot quicker and easier than trying to find a buyer yourself.

Pawn Shops:

Contrary to popular belief, pawnshops do carry more than guns and jewelry. TV's, VCR's, DVD players, video games, computers, CD's, movies, furniture and just about anything else can be found at the local shop. If you're looking for some quick cash a pawnshop can be a life saver. But if you are interested in getting the most money for your stuff, you're better off selling by another method.

Unlike consignment shops, when you take an item to a pawnshop you don't have to sell it outright. Pawnbrokers will give you a cash loan based on the value of your item, ranging from 25-75% of what the shop would charge if they had to sell the item. When you pawn something the contract generally lasts between two and four months. At the end of that time if you haven't paid back the loan the shop keeps your collateral and sells it. There are no marks on your credit or any collection actions taken against you. But whatever you took into the shop to pawn is now property of the shop. The transaction is considered complete with the shop selling your item. In the view of the pawnshop, the loan to you was paid for already when you gave them your item. If you pay back the loan on time, however, you get your item back.

Selling an item at a pawnshop is extremely easy if you don't want to get it back. Simply put, you walk in, tell the clerk you want to sell your item, they look it over then give you cash. The downside to this is pawnshops don't make any money by giving you full value for your stuff. Many will tell you that they routinely give 50-75% of what they would sell it for in the store. In reality you will get 25-50% of the value.

If you're thinking of selling at a pawnshop you need to ask yourself if getting cash quick is more important than getting what your item is worth.

Flea Markets:

Flea markets have been as popular as ever lately with bargain hunters and sellers alike. If you have a lot of items you need to sell, setting up a table at a flea market could be a good idea. Many times the cost is only five or ten dollars for your own table. Look for schools, churches or other organizations offering tables at their flea markets.

If you have one or two items that you want to unload, taking them to a flea market could work in your favor. Talking to flea market vendors can be a good way to get rid of collectibles or specialty items. While vendors are there mostly to sell their stuff to you, if you have something they might be able to resell, you could walk away with some cash. Just make sure they don't lowball you!