TYou can probably think of more than one time you received a present you didn’t need or want. Maybe you have a closet full of clothes you don’t know what to do with or you just updated your home decorations and you don’t feel like having a yard sale. If you have countless items collecting dust around your house, consider selling those unwanted items for cash. Here are 5 tips to help you purge and boost your bank account as the same time.
Post like a Pro
If you’re selling things online, you need to stand out from the crowd. Make sure your posts use eye-catching words and be as descriptive about what you are selling. Use your smartphone to take high quality photographs of what you’re selling – make sure the light is adequate and that the pictures are clear. The photographs are what grab the potential buyer’s attention, so it’s vital to use the best ones possible. In the listing, include the size of the item, brand name, and if applicable, model numbers.
Research the Value
Whether you have a junk car to sell – this guide can help you – or want to sell a designer brand purse, make sure you choose the right price to sell your item. Buyers will want to haggle, so feel free to pad your price a little bit so you have some wiggle room to agree to a lower amount of money. The last thing you want is to let something go for too little money and have “seller’s remorse.” Don’t agree to the lower price under pressure.
Post Multiple Listings
It’s hard to juggle family and work; this is why more people are turning to the powerhouse selling sites like eBay to make extra money. If you’re listing on eBay, keep in mind that you can maximize your reach by posting the listing in different categories. It’s free, so you can copy and paste the text and slightly change the title. Upload the photographs and wait for some people to contact you! If you live in a large city with suburbs, go ahead and list your item in those places too. The more places you list, the greater the odds of your advertisement being seen and your item selling.
Meet in Public Places
It’s smart to err on the side of caution and ask to meet in a public place if possible. Think about a popular spot like a coffee shop instead of your home. You can consider bringing another adult with you. If someone is picking up a large item like a sofa and must come to your home, make sure another grown up is there with you. Accept cash only.
Do not Hold Items
Never hold an item for a buyer. Instead, follow the “first come, first serve” approach. While you may want to be kind to a person who reaches out to you, it will likely backfire. There are a lot of flakey people out there who will claim they want an item, but then never follow up to actually get it and pay you. So if you list your item on a Tuesday and someone asks you to hold it until they get paid Friday, move on.
No one can deny the amount of money you can make selling unwanted items. Whether you turn to eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, Etsy or Facebook marketplace sites, these selling platforms will allow you to churn a profit (for a minimal amount of work) and get rid of items you no longer want or need.