If you have recently decluttered your home, you may be finding yourself overwhelmed with items that you don’t wish to throw away, but don’t want to donate or keep. These items are perfect for selling online to make a little bit of side cash.
How to Sell Stuff Online
Have you been inspired by Marie Kondo to declutter your home? Now you need to get rid of all of the excess items. Donating the items is the quickest and easiest way to get rid of it, but if you have some valuable items, you can sell them to make some extra money.
Selling your unwanted stuff isn’t hard, but it isn’t always profitable either. If you aren’t sure what the best practices for online selling are, these tips for selling your clutter online will help you get started.
Don’t sell junk
If you consider something junk, chances are most other people will as well. Would you want to purchase something that is junk? The answer is no which is why you shouldn’t attempt to sell it. If something is broken, ripped, torn or otherwise unusable, it is better to recycle or even trash the item. The only exception is if you’re selling something such as an old, non-working phone, as a parts only item.
Clean each item well
Before you take a single photo or list an item, it should be cleaned to the best of your ability. Make certain to remove as many stains as possible and to remove any visible dirt or dust. A clean item will always sell quicker and at a higher price than a dirty one. The only exception to this is antique or vintage items such as silver and coins that have developed a natural patina. These items are worth much more with the patina than if they are cleaned.
Take detailed photos
When you are selling cutter online, your photos are the selling point. This means they need to be amazingly detailed in order to sell your item quickly. Try to photograph the item from every angle, be sure to document any cosmetic issues and be sure they are lit well enough to see. The better your photos, the better price you’ll get for your items. Also, don’t use a stock photo of your item or a screenshot off your phone. It simply looks bad and almost as if you don’t really have the item in hand.
Keep your prices fair
The one issue that most people trying to sell items who are unsuccessful have is they have their prices too close to retail. If someone can run to a store and get your item new for a few dollars more, they are going to opt for new over used every time. Instead, price your items at 50%-75% off retail prices depending on what the item is. For instance, clothes should be priced around 75% off retail prices. They are used far more often and don’t hold up as well as certain other items. An iPhone, however, will last longer and even used should be priced at around 50% off retail.
Be willing to meet locally
If you are selling locally, being willing to meet your buyer will always mean you have more sales. Some people simply aren’t willing to drive the entire way or to do something such as porch pickup. Try to pick a place that is a halfway point, public and safe to do your meetups.
Know where to sell
The places you can sell clutter online vary, but typically, Ebay, OfferUp, LetGo and Facebook marketplace are your best options. You can list your items in multiple places, but be sure to monitor them closely and take the item down from all locations as soon as it sells, so you don’t upset people and get negative feedback.
Write well-written descriptions
Finally, a well-written item description is key to selling your item. Make certain that you list what the item is, any issues it has, what you paid and so on. The more info you give, the more buyers you will attract and the quicker you will sell your item. You’ll also want to make sure you use proper grammar. There is nothing that will chase a serious buyer away than having to try and figure out what your listing says.
More Tips for Selling Online
15 Household Items You Can Sell for Cash
6 Places to Sell Your Used Clothes for Cash
7 Ways To Make More Money Selling On Ebay
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