If you’ve caught the spring-cleaning bug, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has tips for finding trusted companies to help you declutter, finding a place to donate used items and staying safe if you’re selling items online.
Clearing the clutter can be a daunting task for busy families, and some turn to professional cleaning or organizing services. It’s important to choose a trusted, reliable company who you can rely on to respect you, your home and your possessions.
And once all is said and done, you may be left with items that need new homes. You can opt to donate gently used items to a charity or sell them using an online marketplace—but keep in mind that these platforms are popular with scammers attempting to steal money or personal information.
Whatever your spring-cleaning plans, research before you choose a company to work with or charity to donate to. And if you’re selling online, be protective of your personal information.
HOW CAN I HIRE SOMEONE TO HELP ME ORGANIZE?
- Decide whether you need a cleaner or an organizer (or both!). Professional cleaners and organizers may seem similar, but they offer very specific services. Cleaning companies will offer services like vacuuming, washing and disinfecting. Organizing companies can help you sort, store, downsize and dispose of belongings, but they don’t typically provide cleaning services.
- Research companies in advance. Search for trusted cleaning companies near you with BBB. Look for BBB Accreditation, reviews and any complaints the company may have—you want a company with a strong track record. Consider interviewing companies in-person before you hire them.
- Get multiple quotes. Ask at least three companies for estimates for the same services before you decide. Remember that the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best one, especially if the price is much lower than the market average.
- Get everything in writing. Make sure you get a written contract that covers all details of the service. Read it carefully before signing or paying.
- Prepare for the services. Before the company arrives, secure any personal items that you would prefer to keep private, and plan to keep pets out of the way.
HOW CAN I FIND A TRUSTWORTHY CHARITY TO DONATE TO?
- Research charities with BBB. At Give.org, you can search for BBB Accredited Charities near you. BBB Accredited Charities meet 20 standards for transparency and accountability to stakeholders, so you can know where your donation is going and how it will be used.
- Check for acceptable donations. Not all charities accept used items, and some will only accept certain items or items in good condition. Check with the charity before you donate. Avoid donating items that are broken or in poor condition.
- Check names on collection trucks and bins. Don’t assume that collection trucks or bins are directly connected with a charity. Give.org has more information on donating wisely to these sources.
HOW CAN I AVOID SCAMS WHEN I’M SELLING USED ITEMS ONLINE?
- Watch out for shady buyers. Scammers may fake interest in a sale to get your personal information or money. Some major red flags:
- Buyers who ask you to make transactions outside of the marketplace, where there are no protections for your purchase.
- Buyers who ask for personal information, such as your contact or banking information. They don’t need it for the sale—not even a phone number!
- Buyers who overpay for an item and ask you to send the extra money back. This is the setup for a common scam.
- Be cautious when selling valuable items. Big-ticket sales may be more likely to attract scammers.
- Be safe when making local sales to strangers. If you plan to meet up with a stranger for a sale, consider meeting at a populated place rather than giving them your home address. Bring a buddy with you.
**Don O’Brien is the regional director for the Quincy Better Business Bureau. Contact him at dobrien@quincybbb.org or 217-209-3972.
