Have you got plenty of items to part with but not sure where to start with selling? Take a look at the information, hints and tips below to help you have a safe and stress-free clear out experience.
Selling online
There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to sell your stuff online – eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Preloved, Depop, Facebook groups, Vinted and Gumtree to name but a few!
With pros and cons to each online selling platform, it can be confusing to work out which website will be best for you. Here are some of the benefits, as well as what to watch out for:
- eBay – Originally an online auction site, eBay is now a global marketplace where you can buy or sell anything from clothes to cars. One of the downsides of eBay is that it charges a fee, usually about 10% of the total transaction including postage when your item sells. An advantage of eBay is its enormous audience, meaning it may be better for selling a specialised or collectable item. If you’re selling outside of your local area though, remember that you’ll have to factor in the time and cost of posting your things
- Facebook Marketplace – If you’re on Facebook, chances are you will have seen the Marketplace section, or maybe you’ve already bought or sold something on the app. It’s quick and simple to use and is a great option for selling in your local area as Facebook shows your item listing to people living near you. Another bonus is that Facebook Marketplace is free so there’s no selling fee taking a cut of your profits unlike eBay
- Preloved and Gumtree – Similar to eBay, you can sell all sorts of items on these classified advertising sites, and they both are well established with a large number of users across the country. There are no listing fees or selling fees, however a drawback is you need to create an account to be able to sell on the platforms
- Depop – This online marketplace for clothing is especially popular with fashionistas looking to buy and sell vintage or designer clothes. Depop has 26 million users worldwide so that’s a huge network of people who could be interested in your cast offs. It charges the seller a 10% fee so bear this in mind when pricing your items as the platform takes a slice of the cash
- Facebook groups – There are thousands of hyper-local ‘buy and sell’ groups on Facebook which may help you make a quick and easy sale to someone living in your town or village. Remember though, these groups are not regulated so give you less protection as a seller and it is never a good idea to post any personal information like your address on public social media pages. Read more tips about safe selling online below
- Vinted – An alternative to Depop, this is another platform geared towards selling second-hand clothes, shoes and accessories. The app is user-friendly so it’s easy to get started with creating listings, however you will need to sign up for an account. A benefit of Vinted is that it doesn’t charge for listing or selling items, instead it has a ‘protection fee’ that the buyer covers, along with any postage costs
Top tips
Once you’ve decided on your preferred online marketplace, you’re ready start listing! Here are some pointers on how to get the most out of your sale.
- The devil is in the details. Make sure to list your items as accurately as you can, including the exact size or dimensions, brand, description and type or category. Always use clear, quality photos from a variety of angles to ensure your buyers know exactly what they’re getting and avoid any quibbles later. For a professional style, try taking the photos in a neutral, decluttered space so that it’s your item for sale that catches people’s attention.
- Get the price right. Before you decide on a price, do your research by searching for listings for similar items to see what they sold for recently. This will help you determine what people might be willing to pay for it. You can also bear in mind how much you paid for the item but remember that most buyers won’t be willing to pay full price for second-hand goods, with the exception of some vintage, collectable or highly sought-after pieces.
- Build a community. If you have a few items to clear out or already sell online regularly, you may start to grow a following that encourages more sales. Perhaps you have particular products like handbags or records that keeps buyers coming back to you. Even if you’re new to selling and don’t have a following, share the links to your listings with friends on your own social media. You never know who might be interested in your cast offs!
- And most importantly, stay safe. Never give out your personal details like address or phone number. Instead use the selling platform messaging service to communicate with buyers. If you are selling an item in person as it’s too large to post or the person lives locally, take precautions such as meeting in a public place and take someone along with you if you can. And of course, if you’re not comfortable with the arrangement, don’t go through with it.
Selling in-person
If the thought of selling online doesn’t suit you, don’t worry, you might choose an in-person sale. Whether it’s attending a local car boot or hosting a good old fashioned jumble sale, here are some hints to help you to selling success!
- Car boot sale – They can be hard work, but many people enjoy the thrill of a ‘booty’! Even if you’ve never been to a car boot sale before, we all know how it works. Local sellers come together to create a temporary marketplace, with people selling goods out of their vehicle or sometimes with proper stalls. Car boot sales often get a great turnout and are particularly popular with buyers looking for a bargain! If you’ve got a wide variety of different items to sell, or lots of low value clutter, a car boot sale could be a great option for you. From finding a sale near you to pricing your items, here are some more tips to planning your first ‘booty’.
- Jumble sale – Sometimes called garage sales or yard sales, you could hold your own mini market in a local venue like a hall or community centre. Jumble sales are usually advertised in a traditional way with flyers and posters in shops near to where the event will be taking place, but you can also share the details on social media to reach a wider audience. Boost your fundraising on the day by considering an entry fee or a cake sale. Alternatively, there may be an organised jumble sale happening in your area that you can book a stall at. This is a convenient choice if you have fewer items to sell or have less time to arrange your own sale.
And don’t forget if you have anything left unsold, drop it off at your nearest Cats Protection shop and we’ll make sure your items get a new lease of life!
