Boxes full of unneeded items have been piling up in the corner and you keep saying you will sell it, but time is always an issue. Clarkston Mini Storage has the solution and can help turn those items into cash.
In June, CMS became a trading assistant on eBay.
Owner Lisa Detkowski started the service because she saw an opportunity to help her customers and the community to sell their unneeded and unwanted items.
‘It’s a win/win situation,? said Detkowski. ‘They get to get rid of their items and get money back.?
CMS takes care of all of the steps involved.
It begins when the item is dropped off.
CMS evaluates the item by looking at the condition it’s in and figuring out the price.
The most accurate and best way for us to evaluate the price is to see how much the item is going for on eBay, said Detkowski.
Also, CMS has a software program to figure out the price.
Then, they take pictures of the item and post the auction.
‘We’re here in front of the computer. We can monitor the progress and answer any questions,? said Detkowski.
When the item is sold they use the shipping supplies they sell and will send the package on its way. The purchaser pays for the shipping and handling.
‘Recently a customer came in with a camera. The starting bid was $50 and went it went for $95. He only wanted $20 for it, but made more,? said Detkowski.
If an item does not sell, the seller comes back and picks the item up.
‘With the popularity of eBay it hasn’t happened to us yet,? said Detkowski.
CMS has two listing options, standard and premium.
The standard option has the auction running for seven days and up to 12 photos will be posted.
With the premium option, the auction will run up to 10 days and has an unlimited amount of photos to put in the gallery.
The standard listing begins at $50.
‘It is set to this amount, because by the time eBay takes out their fee for the service and our commission comes out ? it wouldn’t be worth it to the seller,? said Detkowski.
EBay receives seven to nine percent for their fees and CMS receives a commission of 33 percent.
If an item goes for $100, you walk away with an extra $59.54 in your pocket and the ease you didn’t have list the item, monitor the auction for questions, and make time to send out the package.
Clarkston Mini Storage customers can turn it into rent money
CMS will also hold auctions for any school, church or group fundraisers. The opening bids will start at $25 or more. When it sells, you designate where the money will go. A check will automatically be sent to the charity of your choice.
They can make arrangements to pick up large items such as furniture because they have a moving truck and they are able to store the item during the auction.
They are located at 4550 White Lake Road, located next to Gateway Plaza on White Lake and Andersonville.
Clarkston Mini Storage is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Arrangements can be made for after hours by calling the office at 248-625-5393.