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Holiday shoppers turning to web retailers

By Zahid Arab - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - With our nation's economy reeling in recession, holiday shoppers are strategizing ways to put more money in their pocket.

And for some, that means selling off their old stuff online and making cash.

Those strapped for cash this holiday are looking in closets, attics, and storage, hoping a trip to a web retailer will reap some big rewards.

"We take the pictures, write the description, create the auction then ship it out and send you a check in the mail," said wesellthings4U.com Owner Tiffany Tanaka.

Welcome to Wesellthingsfor4u.com where buyers and sellers are making shopping simple.

"It's always more cost effective when you buy things on the internet because you can find something new but at a discounted rate," said Tanaka.

E-tailers say more and more bargain hunters are staying out of the malls and going online.

Holiday shoppers toughing it out are on a constant treasure hunt. Collectibles like dolls are expected to be sold for 200 dollars to crazier items like ivory chop sticks; wesellthings4u.com says business goes up as much as 50% during the holidays.

Selling about 20 items a day, workers say for the pickiest shoppers, presentation is a secret of success.

"People actually want to see what they're buying, instead of just getting a written description of the item," said Worker Tyler Yamaguchi.

The company says unlike a yard sale, they do all the work. you pay a listing fee of up to ten bucks, and if your stuff is sold, they take 30% commission and cut the seller a check for the rest.

"There's no hassle, you don't have to deal with the traffic and the parking," said Tanaka.

Out with the old and in with the new, it's an option for cash-strapped consumers to hit the jackpot.