Have you ever looked around your house and felt overwhelmed with all the stuff? You know you don't need an item anymore, but you don't know what to do with it. It just sits in your home collecting dust and cluttering up precious space. This doesn't need to continue! Since the internet, there are many ways to get rid of things other than garage sales or donating, though those are great options as well. There are numerous websites for reselling things so you can make a little extra cash. I'll be discussing the three sites I have personal experience with: eBay, Craigslist, and Swip Swap.
Each of these sites are a little different. eBay is great for smaller items because you'll most likely be shipping to someone far away. Craigslist and Swip Swap pages on Facebook are great for larger items, like furniture, since you'll be dealing with local buyers, but other items could work with these sites as well.
I sold my wedding dress on eBay a few years ago. I struggled with this decision because I wasn't sure if I was ready to let it go. Ultimately, I decided to post it and got an okay amount for it. My husband and I used the money to buy a new record player with speakers. Now, every time I use it, I'm thankful someone else got to use my wedding dress instead of it just sitting in my closet.
After moving into our first home, I continued striving for a more minimalistic look. I realized we had a lot of furniture we didn't need and decided to sell it on Craigslist. One of which is the TV stand pictured above. I have sold some household items on Swip Swap pages in the past, but for some reason I had more success with Craigslist. I do think local Swip Swap pages can be great for reselling things, I just didn't have the best luck and chose to stick with Craigslist.
So how do you go about posting an unwanted item? Craigslist and eBay have self explanatory sign ups. You just put in your email and create a password. There a ton of Swip Swap pages on Facebook. Search for your area and ask to join that group. Once you've been accepted, you can start posting.
One of the most important aspects of a selling post is the picture. People won't be drawn in unless the pictures are high quality and have good lighting. There shouldn't be any clutter in the background and the entire item should be in frame. Post multiple angles if you can so people can get a really good idea of what they're looking at.
If you're selling furniture, make sure to include the length, width, and height. For clothing or shoes, include the size. When writing a description , always be clear and concise. For Craigslist or Swip Swap I always say "cash only" and if I have an item posted on multiple sites I include "cross posted". I also start at a higher price than what I think I'll get because more often than not, the buyer will try to get a better deal. Be flexible and fair when it comes to prices. If an item doesn't sell, consider reposting it with a lower price and you'll most likely make a sale.
Beware of scammers who want to write a check or give you a money order. If someone contacts you and sounds sketchy, they probably are. Just ignore them and always respond to people in the order they contact you. Another safety tip is to meet potential buyers in a public place. If you have to meet someone at your home, make sure someone else is home with you. It's better to be safe than sorry!
I hope these tips inspire you to try this out on your own! Below are more examples of things I've sold in the past.
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