Abu Dhabi is something of a revolving door for expats; a couple of years of sun and tax-free wonga, then it’s off to pastures new with a nice tan and a healthier bank balance. But these transient tendencies add up to a lot of excess junk, and nobody wants a reputation for leaving excess futons all over the place.
After two-and-a-half years spent working in the city as a consultant for a financial firm, Steve Hart is set to return to his company’s London HQ at the end of this month. Determined not to add to Abu Dhabi’s staggering waste statistics, he’s spent the past few weeks implementing some nifty ideas to help get rid of the things that won’t fit on the plane. We had a chat with him about his tips for making sure nothing goes begging when it’s time to head off.
‘Make a list of everything you need to get rid of, take some pictures and put the whole lot up on Facebook for everyone to have a good look at,’ says Steve. ‘Leave it a week or so for people to have a think about what they’re interested in, and then invite your friends over for an informal sale. It’s important to remember that they’re doing you a favour in taking it away, so don’t ask for too much – about half of what you paid is fair. Even if they don’t leave with anything, at least you get a chance to say goodbye!’
Not online? Friends all poor? ‘Most supermarkets in the city have an area where you can advertise things for a small fee,’ advises Steve and, again, he suggests keeping the asking price low. ‘You’ll waste a lot of time dealing with hagglers if you ask for too much, which is the last thing you need when you’re trying to organise a move. Also, if you go in cheap, people tend to understand that you’re expecting them to do the legwork and come to take it away.’
Nobody keen on your floral sofa? Fret not – if you fail to shift everything through your entrepreneurial endeavours, there is an alternative to hauling the dregs off to the dump.
‘I found this great website called TakeMyJunkUAE.com,’ says Steve. ‘They’ll remove any leftover odds and ends and distribute them to poor households in the area. I was surprised by the range of things they were happy to take away – they relieved me of everything from an old lamp to tins of food that had been lurking in the cupboards.’ Sounds very handy indeed. But seriously; it’s free? ‘They don’t ask for payment, but since they’re saving you some hassle they do appreciate a small donation – I gave them a Dhs100 note and a pat on the back.’
Safe trip, Steve. Abu Dhabi misses you already.
Just arrived?
Thanks to heroes like Steve, there’s a treasure trove of second-hand goods out there. Here’s where to pick them up.
Furniture
Back when Dubai went bust, the chap behind used furnishings store Nefertiti rounded up all the furniture left over from the expat exodus, stuck it in a warehouse near the Corniche and has been making a tidy profit ever since. His prices on household goods are extremely reasonable, and you can browse the lot online.
Corner of Corniche and Khaleej al Arabi Street, (050 641 9861) www.useditemsuae.com
Clothes
As well as offering a place for local Christians to congregate, St Andrew’s Church Abu Dhabi also runs a small thrift store, packed with second hand clothes, bed linen, kitchen goods and more. They’re only open on Sundays and Tuesdays, but the stock’s well priced so it’s worth dropping by and seeing what they’ve got in your size.
St Andrew’s Church, Airport and 17th Street
Cars
Having your pride and joy shipped overseas is costly and fraught with stresses, meaning most people look to sell up before they leave. Autodealer.ae is a popular choice for those looking to sell, so check it out and remember that, since the likelihood is that they’ll be looking for a quick sale, the bargaining power is all yours.
