Our last home was a spec house. Carpet everywhere. We were relocating halfway across the country, so hubby lived in the new house w/the carpet for 6 months before I got there. I had shipped the vacuum, but I found it still packed in the box. We had planned and budgeted to replace the carpet anyhow, so I moved up the timeline a bit.
I wasn't sure where we'd go to dispose of all that carpet, but I had an idea. So I asked hubby to not cut the carpet into tiny strips when we removed it. Yes, it would be more of a pain, but the goal was to salvage as many big pieces as possible. Rolled up all the padding and tack strips in with the carpet, along with whatever else was in 6 month old un-vacuumed carpeting. Tossed it all in a big pile in the garage, and threw up a quick listing on Craig's List. No pictures, just the rough sq footage, explaining that there were several big pieces in the pile, and the first $100 takes it all. The next morning, I had like 30 e-mails about it! I gave my address to the first five, and told them all, first come. 30 minutes later, a guy showed up with a truck and a $100 bill. Problem solved, a little cash in hand, and it still blows my mind that I sold used carpeting. :)