I hope this is the right place to post/ask this.

When I started couponing, my intention was not to stockpile or resell. I just wanted to get our budget lower. Well, the end of next month marks my first year couponing anniversary and I have a stockpile like I never thought I would... though nothing compared to Sati's, Moons or Mr. Coupon's. Anyway, I have scaled back my shopping because we're running out of room. We've already given way so much and while I love doing that, I've found that I'm still paying for stuff (8.25% sales tax, anything not completely free and my time) and just can't really afford to be doing that and maintain our budget. So....

My husband and I have talked briefly about what to do. Our city has several ordinances when it comes to yard sales (only 3 a year, no closer than 3 months apart, can't include items purchased to resell, can only advertise with one sign and that has to be on/in front of the property where the yard sale is being held, etc). No one follows all the ordinances because you'll see yard sales signs everywhere. With that being said, I don't know that I want to "chance" it right now since they're already giving us some problems.

So, we were thinking about online. Has anyone done this? I'm not talking eBay. Here's what I'm thinking...

Setting up a website visible only to those we invite and having an inventory on there where they can order. Is that even possible? The reason why it would be private, at least for the time being, is I would like to keep it manageable. I don't really want the whole world to see/order, but I think I could keep up with friends and family.

Has anyone done this before? Or something similar? If so, do you have any recommendations for web hosting and web design software?

There is a web design software at Office Depot that is free after rebate. It's called Web Easy Professional 7. Has anyone used this software? Any other suggestions besides having a stockpile sale or going to the flea market? Or having WUC autions?

Thanks!

Well since you say that people violate these so called rules all the time, what are the repercussions if you do have a yard sale and get caught? How likely are they going to be to really care and seriously, if your police or whomever are so slow in work that they have time to check what folks are selling at yard sales, please tell me where you live because it must be paradise if that is all they have to be concerned about!

I would also consider getting a booth at a flea market before I would consider online sales. Too much work in packaging, mailing, for shipping and cost of shipping will negate savings for buyer and/or profit margin for you.

wow tough neighborhood!!! I would do it anyway

Lukas and Ella are my

I would consider doing the flea market too.
You can also consider getting a peddlar's liceasce to sit at the gas station or parking lot.
I would looking into that peddlar's licease ... Ours cost 100.00 for the yr. this was some yrs back, but it helps when they stop

Just a thought
Good Luck!

Wow I would say you have a tough neighborhood. I'm thinking I live a sheltered life.

This is what I did to start my side hobby as you can not call it a business unless you want the tax man have fun and IRS. Any how first I started small would send the list to people that work with hubby, then to friends, then had a yard sale and collected emails from people that was interested in getting my list once a week. I sent out the list every Monday so they knew that on Monday they would get my list of items I had to sale. They would email me back with what they wanted I would get it together and then email them back said I had it together and there told as some times I would sold out of something they wanted. First come first serve and they knew that. I did this for about 2 years and when I left ID I had over 200 peoople getting my list did they all buy every week no but every week I had orders and always made enough to buy our grocerys and small bills and we are a family of 9 so that a lot of food plus restock for my hobby of selling it. If you have questions feel free to PM me. I loved doing it and keep playing with the idea of starting here but we are still trying to get on track of moving here to WV at the end of Nov.
Hope that helps.

I believe in Santa!

That's exactly what I was thinking of doing, but wasn't sure if it would work. Thanks for letting me know that it worked for you!

Tried this online with craigslist and had pics, descriptions and prices and let me tell you it bombed for me. I had one woman and she bought quite a bit one time and then just ignored me after calling me for more stuff....I hope if you do an online one you do much much better, I myself would just yardsale anyways

Well, glad to know we're not the only ones who think it's a little rediculous.

I don't remember what the reprecussions are... I think it is a fine but I don't know how much.

at being paradise... we have an extremely high ratio of sex offenders compared to reg. population living in our small city.

I wouldn't have thought too much about following the ordinances (wouldn't have even thought about looking them up) a year or two ago, but now we have city workers who are trying to keep their jobs and are out there looking for people who are breaking ordinances.

About the shipping. Our idea was mainly just for friends and family in our area. They could go on the website, see what we have and order. I could either deliver or they could pick it up themselves. I don't really want to get into all the shipping/mailing unless someone *really* wants something and they just can't get it where they are.

You are very welcome. I love doing it and my customers loved me doing it. Most of the ones I sold to were working Mom or Mom that just said they didn't have the time to figure out how to use coupons and they would say no way I could get it cheaper than they were paying me. So it was a win win.

I believe in Santa!