How to handle this?

[ufcrusher]

I think I posted a while back about my wife's grandfather passing...well we are up here again going through a bunch of his stuff, trying to organize it and decide what to do with it. Today we spent several LONG hours working on one particular room, which I will categorize as his relaxation office. He was a techno-junkie with a penchant for collecting electronics. As a result of this, this room is cram full of electronics, some even brand new in the box but too old to return. We are trying to figure out what would be the best way to get rid of some of this stuff but due to the range and age cannot seem to reach a consensus.

For example, there are tape drives, zip drives, 3.5 drives, data switches galore (probably 10+), Ram, hard drives, mice, keyboards, routers, DSL modems, 56k modems, tons of various cards (none of which I would consider to be something of use unless you are into retro computers), and LOTS of other things including software...the majority of which is older/obsolete.

As I see it, the two easiest options are dump it all at goodwill (where I really dont think anyone would know what to do with it) or sell it as a lot on an aution site. Other options would be to give it away piece meal or just trash it.

Does anyone think any older component would be worth trying to sell or have an opinon. (Except for give it to me) Thanks.

[gear02]

Put it on craigslist, either for money or for free.

[oblongmelon]

what about an auction house? They have those box auctions all the time. Or place an ad in the paper that you're selling a whole room full of electronic stuff at a bag sale (like a garage sale)..give each person a bag for 10 bucks and let them fill it. Whatever the bag can hold is theirs..I wouldn't trash the stuff or give it to the salvation army just yet..I'm sure there are some people who will purchase some of it from you.

[BigJon]

Yeah, definately try selling before giving away. You will at least make something off of it.

[avlena]

Goodwill won't take electronics or computer parts. At least that was their policy 2 years ago when we were trying to get rid of a bunch of my mom's stuff.

Try to sell it, but you should make sure to clean off stuff that's on the drives and whatnot. And actually, it might be worth it to go through them just to see if he had anything personal that would give you a bit of insight into who he was besides "Grandpa".

[YanksFanRy]

...I could use a mouse...

But seriously, some sort of sale or auction sounds like a good plan. But donating can never be bad.

[captainhook]

Or maybe... a yard sale, I'm sure lots of people would be interested on your grand father's stuff. I think you can also sell it on ebay.. you could get more money from ebay...