Every time I want to get rid of something, I face the same question: Sell or give away? In theory, selling sounds better -- you get money for it. In practice, it's often more complicated than that.
Here's my honest calculation of when each option makes sense.
The Hidden Effort of Selling
Selling costs time. Many people forget that.
You have to take photos, write a description, set a price. Then the messages come: "Is this still available?", "Would you take less?", "Can you deliver?" Some interested people never get back to you, others don't show up at the agreed time.
I once tried to sell a chair for 30 francs. After two weeks of answering messages, three no-shows, and endless price negotiations, I sold it for 15 francs.
If I factor in the time invested -- maybe two hours total -- that was 7.50 per hour. Less than any minimum wage.
That's the paradox: Selling feels productive, but it's often less efficient than you think.
When Selling Makes Sense
That said, there are cases where selling is the right choice.
For high-quality items that still have real value. A well-maintained branded piece of furniture, a relatively new electronic device, a designer piece. If you can realistically expect 100 francs or more, the effort is justified.
For things with a clear market. Games consoles, iPhones, certain brands -- these sell quickly because the demand is constant. The effort is manageable.
When you have time and there's no rush. Selling takes patience. If you can wait six weeks for the right buyer to come along, it can be worth it.
When Giving Away Is Better
In all other cases -- and that's most of them -- giving away is more efficient.
For IKEA furniture and standard household goods. The competition on selling platforms is huge, and prices are correspondingly low. Selling a Billy bookshelf for 20 francs isn't worth the effort. Giving it away is faster.
For things in middling condition. When something shows signs of use, it becomes hard to sell. People expect good quality for their money. When giving away, signs of use are fine.
When you want to get rid of it quickly. During a move, a household clearance, when time is pressing. Giving away is usually much faster than selling, because the threshold for interested people is lower.
For things you simply need gone. Some stuff you just don't want in the house anymore. An old sofa taking up space. Clothes you'll never wear again. The psychological value of getting rid of it outweighs the potential selling price.
The Time Calculation
Here's a simple formula I use:
How many hours will I invest to sell this thing? And how much will I get for it? If the "hourly rate" is under 30 francs, I give it away.
Example: A shelf I could probably sell for 50 francs. Estimated effort: 2 hours (photos, listing, communication, pickup). That's 25 francs per hour. Giving it away is simpler.
Another example: A MacBook I could sell for 400 francs. Estimated effort: 2 hours. That's 200 francs per hour. Selling is worthwhile.
The Emotional Factor
Sometimes it's not about the money.
When you know your things can help someone, giving them away feels good. The student who can't afford new furniture. The young family that has to think twice about every franc.
I gave away a desk that was still in good shape. The person who picked it up was so happy they sent me a photo of it in their new room. That was worth more than the 50 francs I might have got.
The Practical Middle Ground
What I often do: First I try to sell something -- but with a time limit. If it hasn't sold after two weeks, I drastically reduce the price or give it away.
That way you might still get some money for the really good stuff, but you don't sit on everything for months.
And What About Taxes?
A word for completeness: Private sales of used goods are usually tax-free in Switzerland, as long as you're not making a profit (which you're not with used items -- you're selling below the purchase price).
However, if you sell regularly and in large quantities, the tax office might have questions. Then it gets more complicated.
With giving things away, that question never arises.
Conclusion
Selling makes sense for high-value items where the expected return justifies the effort. In all other cases, giving away is often the smarter choice -- faster, simpler, and sometimes more satisfying too.
Next time you face the question, do the maths. And when in doubt: Give it away and move on is also a perfectly good strategy.
How do you decide what to sell and what to give away? Write to me -- hello@pikitup.ch