We’re all guilty of holding onto items we no longer need. From clothes and shoes to household items and old electronics, sometimes it can be really hard to get rid of things, even if we haven’t worn or used them for years! Some of us hold onto things because they’re sentimental while others stockpile unused items simply because it takes a lot of time and effort to sort and sell them.
The good news is that the days of yard sales are over! Instead of unpacking all of your stuff, placing it on the lawn, and hoping that people come along to buy it, there’s a much easier option to consider: online bidding sites.
Using online selling and bidding sites like eBay, Decluttr, LetGo, OfferUp, and Amazon Seller Marketplace is a quick and easy way to get rid of things you no longer need. If you’re thinking “I need money”, and I want to declutter”, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s how you can maximize your earnings when selling your stuff online.
Use the Right Sites
While there are general websites and apps that you can use to sell any and all items, depending on what you’re looking to sell, it may be more ideal to use a niche selling site. For example, if you’re looking to sell brand name clothing or shoes, you may want to use sites like Poshmark, ThredUP, or Tradesy, which are sites that offer marketplaces for clothing and accessories.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to sell old electronics, you’ll want to use sites such as Amazon, Gazelle, Swappa, and Decluttr. This way, you can target the right consumers, making it more likely that you’ll be able to sell your items at a good price.
If you’re selling a wide variety of items and want to save yourself time, you can list your items on general online selling platforms like eBay or Amazon. But if you find that your items aren’t selling as quickly as you had hoped, consider moving to a more niche marketplace.
Know What Your Items Are Worth
Before listing your items on any online platform, one of the first things you’ll want to do is to figure out what your items are worth. This part of the process can be the hardest. Knowing that you paid $500 for an XBox a few years ago, only to find that it’s worth $200 now can be a tough pill to swallow!
But in order to get customer interest and to make sales, you’ll want to ensure that your items are reasonably priced. So how can you go about valuing and pricing your items? One place to start is Amazon, eBay, and other general marketplaces. Do some research to see what other people are selling identical or similar items for. You’ll of course want to pay attention to details such as:
- Model
- Age
- Condition of the item
- Accessories that are sold with the main product (ie. charging cables, HDMI cables, etc.)
Valuing your items before listing them is the best way to ensure that you aren’t over- or under-pricing your items. This means that you can offer consumers a fair price while also having peace of mind that you’re making the most money possible.
Take High-Quality Photos
Once you know what your items are worth, the next step is to make them sales-worthy. Because buyers can’t see your items in person, it’s important that you take clear, high-quality photos that accurately depict the condition and wear and tear of the item.
Part of being a valued online seller is being honest about the items you’re selling. Don’t portray an item as being brand new if it has scratches, dings, rips, or some other defect. Take pictures that fully portray what the item looks like so that buyers can feel confident in their decision to purchase what you’re selling.
Along with high-quality photos, you’ll also want to provide a solid text description of the item. Make it catchy and fun so that you can catch the eyes and interest of consumers.
Be Aware of Seller’s Fees
When choosing which platform to sell your items on, you’ll want to be aware of seller’s fees. For example, Amazon charges a $0.99 fee for each item that you sell through their marketplace. Other sites, such as AptDeco, take 23% of your profits. Depending on seller’s fees, you may be better off selling your items on a platform without seller’s fees. While you may have to sell at a lower price, you’ll ultimately come out ahead.
Also, keep in mind that there are truly free ways to sell unwanted items. Let friends know that you’re spring cleaning and have things to get rid of. Post your items on Facebook and other social media networks. Get the word around and chances are people will be interested in what you’re selling.
Conclusion
Selling your stuff online is a great way to make some extra cash. Before listing your items, be sure to follow these tips and tricks so that you can make the most profit. Here’s to successful sales!
