Selling Your Unwanted Items Online
Over the last few years, we have become keen lovers of selling unwanted items from our homes. Selling your unwanted items online stops stuff from going to landfills and gives it another loss of life. The saying goes that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Decluttering room by room will allow you to box up unwanted items, start the selling process, and make some money along the way.
Choosing Items To Sell Online
When going through your boxes of unwanted stuff, it’s best to divide it into groups. For example, if you have clothes and shoes, divide them into two groups: spring/summer and autumn/winter.
Labeling clear plastic tubes for items like toys, homeware, clothes, and shoes is a good idea. Once sorted, you have smaller chunks to start selling. Take the stress away if you have a lot of stuff to sell and need help knowing where to start.
If you have lots to sell, it can become overwhelming, especially finding the time if you have a job and are looking after children, too. We want the best prices for our items. So, you want to create great photos and detailed write-ups to get the most from your item. The best thing to do is pop it into your day-to-day plan. Then, you have allowed time to get this job done.
Choosing how to sell your unwanted item online
There are a few ways to sell items these days. Choose the best way for you. Some people sell online all year, and then some like to pack the car and do a few boot sales to eliminate unwanted items quickly. Check out unwanted items selling at Boot sale. You may have time to wait for online sales. So, choose what is suitable for you. Let’s take a look at selling unwanted items online.
Selling online
Many selling sites exist, including eBay, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace, and they are preloved by Gumtree. You can determine which one will serve you well. Check out top sites to sell unwanted items online. Once you have chosen, you must sign up and fill in your details. It will take a few minutes. Once completed, you can sell straight away.
If you can treat your platform for selling as a business, you want to build excellent 5* feedback. Doing this can take time, but if you are selling great items at competitive prices. Items are sent out in good time and packaged well. Excellent 5* feedback comes rolling in. Over time, you will likely get some following as buyers love what you are selling. Plus, with the 5* rating, you will find that items sell quicker because you know you are a good seller.
Step-by-step selling unwanted items online:
- Wash or clean items before taking photos.
- Ensure the Camera lens is clean, as you want clear photographs.
- Take pictures in light to get accurate color and detail.
- If the item has some imperfections, then photograph these as well.
- Once you have all your photographs, crop them to remove all unwanted areas around the item. Leaving this in can be distracting for the buyer.
- Upload all photos to the site.
- Fill in the size, color, make, and item standard category.
- Achieving a tremendously detailed write-up should be a place to explain your item in detail to people who considerably understand the item.
- Use Hashtags to promote your items.
- Add your price.
- Set the postage, which most sites have a drop-down menu to help you with. Consider the weight, as this can be the deal breaker when a buyer buys an item and you want to charge the right amount.
- Then, activate your item.
Tips
Clothing items with bobbles? Why not use a bobble remover to refurbish them? Shoes have marks. Try removing them with a magic sponge. Leather items polish and shine. Have you got the original boxes or packaging? For the item, send it with them. Some buyers love this. Now, the items are at their best, and then photographs begin.
Photos of your items
Take as many photos of your item as possible. Potential buyers love pictures and like seeing as many details as possible. Allow yourself to use your allowance of photos. Many sites vary in how many images you can have, so check that. Equally, make sure that you photo any imperfections. Make sure you have a clear space to take your pictures so you have no distractions in the background, and keep your feet out of the photo. Buyers look at the item you are selling, not your home or feet. A plain background would be the best. Be creative with your item when photographing by the colour background to the way you place your item.
Write-Ups about your items
When you do your write-up, make sure you are honest about your item. Describe any marks of stuff or if anything is missing from your item. Ensure you pop in the size, measurements, and brand. Promote that you are open to questions and if the item has come from a smoke or vape environment. People could be unhappy if their items smell or have pet hairs, plus if a buyer brought an item and is allergic. Demanding they may want their money back, as was not mentioned in the write-up.
Price is essential, as this is what you want for your item. Before listing an item, I do homework and look at what others sell it for. Then, I typically go in the middle, from the highest to the lowest, to create a better chance of selling and getting a reasonable price.
Questions about selling your unwanted items online
Buyers will send you questions about your items so they may make you an offer on your items, too. It is best to communicate as soon as possible as this could be a potential to sell your item. I usually get back to someone within 6-12 hours, depending on if I am working.
Potential buyers will make offers for your items. However, you may be happy to let the item go for that price, depending on your circumstances. Listing items, you have some checky offers. I decline, especially if the item has yet to be on long enough to gain traction. Firstly, buyers who want the item will pay the price or offer a discount. Secondly, if my item has been on for more than seven days and I get an offer, typically a reduced offer. I will drop 10%. Your items are worth what you put them on for, meaning you should get a reasonable price.
Postage
After selling your item, it’s time to pack and send it out. To achieve the best results for your selling profile, you want to do this within 24 hours of purchasing. People love it when items arrive quickly, as they want them as soon as possible. Most of the time, they will mention this in their feedback.
Choosing your packaging
Ensuring you use good, strong packaging when packaging your items. Consider using parcel bags, which I usually purchase online. Idea: when sending clothes, I will send them in a secure postage bag and a little dryer sheet, giving the buyer a pleasant experience. On opening their parcel, they will see clean, folded clothes with a fresh smell, not plastic. The aim is to receive great feedback, so going that extra mile will help.
Printing your labels
Print your postage label and secure it well on the parcel. Try to prevent damage, as you want to ensure your parcel gets to the buyer. However, make sure you check the size and weight of your parcel. Ensure the customer is not charged or sent back to you as underpaid. Always check the size and weight of the postage company you are using.
Feed Back selling your unwanted items online
On the item’s arrival, we want to ensure we get feedback. Several online sites promote the idea that buyers give feedback. Another way is to give the buyer a polite message and ask if they are happy to provide you with feedback to help build your profile.
Treating the items you are selling like a business, you will put in the effort to get good results and end up with some decent cash for things you no longer want.
Remember that if you earn over £1000, you must keep a record of this, as you will need to declare it to HMRC, as your personal allowance is £1000 per year. From January 1st, 2024, the government now requires online platforms to declare sellers’ income. If you do go over your personal allowance, then you will need to fill in a self-assessment online through HMRC.
Why not declutter your wardrobes and cupboards today and start selling your unwanted items online? Using these tips and advice, you may make some extra pennies to spend or save some extra pennies. Remember your items’ worth and get the best results. Happy selling your unwanted items online!