How each way out pays, and what to ask first.

Auction company

The firm sells each lot to the highest bidder and pays you the hammer price less its seller commission and any fees in the contract (setup, advertising, lot, removal, cleanup). Many firms also charge bidders a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price; that is paid by the buyer, but bidders allow for it in what they bid.

Ask before you agree

• Is anything leased or pledged to a lender? Check before you sign.
• What is the seller commission, and is it the same on every lot?
• Which other fees come out of my proceeds (advertising, setup, labor, cleanup, removal of unsold items)?
• Is there a minimum fee or a reserve?
• Is the sale online, on site, or both, and when is it held?
• How many days after the sale am I paid, and how?
• Who removes what does not sell?
• Is the auctioneer licensed where licensing is required in my state?

Bulk buyout offer

One buyer names one price for a group of items (or everything) and usually removes it. You trade price for speed and certainty.

Safety and the law: Disconnecting gas, water and electrical lines is work for a licensed plumber, electrician or gas fitter, or for the utility company. Do not let a pickup crew cut or cap lines themselves.

Ask before you agree

• Is anything leased or pledged to a lender? Check before you sign.
• Is the offer for everything, or only the items they pick?
• Does the price include removal, and by what date?
• Who pays for disconnecting equipment (gas, water, electrical), and is that done by a licensed plumber, electrician or gas fitter, or by the utility?
• How and when is payment made, before or at pickup?
• Is the offer in writing, and for how long does it stand?

Consignment

A dealer or shop offers your item for sale and pays you an agreed split when it sells. What does not sell within the agreed time comes back to you, or is disposed of as the agreement says.

Ask before you agree

• Is anything leased or pledged to a lender? Check before you sign.
• What is the split, and does it change over time?
• Who sets the price, and can it be marked down?
• How long is the consignment period?
• What happens to items that do not sell?
• Who pays to move items to the shop and back?
• Is my property insured while the dealer holds it?

Sell it yourself online

You list and sell each item yourself. Platform and payment fees come out of the price; packing, shipping or local pickup, answering questions and meeting buyers all take your time.

Ask before you agree

• What does the platform charge per sale, and what does payment processing add?
• Will you ship, or offer local pickup only?
• How many hours will listing, messaging and handover take per item?
• Do you have until your move-out date to wait for buyers?

Scrap or recycler

A scrap yard or recycler pays by weight and grade of material. Worth it for metal-heavy items that will not sell whole.

Safety and the law: In the United States, refrigerant in coolers, freezers, ice machines and air conditioners may only be recovered by a technician certified under EPA Section 608, and scrap yards commonly ask for proof that it was recovered before they accept an appliance. Batteries and used oil go to a recycler that takes them, not into the scrap pile. Source: EPA: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act (refrigerant management).

Ask before you agree

• What does the yard pay per pound for this material today?
• Must refrigerant, oil or batteries be removed first? Refrigerant recovery needs an EPA Section 608 certified technician: who will do it, and will the yard want the paperwork?
• Will they pick up, and at what charge?

Donate

No cash. A charity may take items it can use. Whether a donation lowers your taxes, and by how much, depends on your own situation; the ledger only multiplies the value you enter by the tax rate you enter (zero unless you change it).

Ask before you agree

• Will the charity accept this item, and does it pick up?
• Will you get a written receipt?
• Have you asked your tax preparer how a donation is treated for you?

Haul away

You pay someone to remove the item. Shown as a cost so you can see which lines cost more to get rid of than they bring.

Ask before you agree

• Is the price by the load, by volume or by weight?
• Are there extra charges for appliances, tires, electronics or stairs?
• Do they recycle or donate what they can?