If you are furloughed, unemployed, or underemployed, you might have more time on your hands than you’re accustomed to. A productive – and potentially lucrative – side project could be sorting through your closets, attic, and basement for gently-used items that you can sell for cash. After all, what no longer suits you might suit someone else!
Sell your old electronics
Sell on: Decluttr
Decluttr is an easy way to sell your tech, especially laptops, phones, and video game consoles. They buy your devices from you and the process is very quick.
With Decluttr.com or the Decluttr app, you enter the make and model or scan the barcode of each item to find out what it’s worth. When you’re ready to sell, you ship the items with the pre-paid shipping label and once the items arrive as described, you get paid. They also pay an average of 33% more than other buyback programs, ship for free and you get paid the day after your items arrive by direct deposit or PayPal!
Sell general items
Sell on: OfferUp & LetGo
Do you have extra bikes, scooters, tools, games, or furniture taking up space? OfferUp & LetGo are two popular marketplaces for selling these items, and they are trending right now due to the pandemic. The two marketplaces just merged, so it’s easier than ever to access lots of interested buyers (and sellers, if you’re in the market to buy!). They have safe meet-up options or you can ship your items.
Sell your used clothing
Sell on: Poshmark
You can sell your clothing locally at Once Upon a Child for kids, Plato’s Closet for teens & tweens, or Style Encore for adults. There are hundreds of locations around the country.
If you’d prefer to sell and merchandise yourself, Poshmark is a great option, especially for mid-high end clothing, handbags, and shoes. You will earn more with Poshmark than by selling at Style Encore, but you have to do the selling and shipping yourself.
Tips for selling used items online
For the platforms where you’ll be selling things yourself, like OfferUp, LetGo and Poshmark, you’ll be more successful if you treat it as you would a little business. Here are a few tips:
Item photos
A picture is worth a thousand words, and it also means more money. You’d be surprised by how much a good photo will make or break a sale—so go the extra mile to make sure you photograph everything in good light and show multiple angles.
Now, some apps will do everything for you, but for the platforms where you sell on your own, how you present your items is very important.
Item descriptions
Describe your items as concisely as possible. Buyers are more attracted to a brief but accurate summary. And don’t forget to use keywords in the title and description that others might use when searching for specific items.
Pricing
To determine your price, look at comparable items and set your prices competitively.
Customer service
Offer good customer service! You want to build a good reputation on these platforms so people will be more likely to buy from you down the road. You can do this by replying quickly to any inquiries, packing all items carefully, shipping items quickly once they are sold, and adding a personal touch, like a note or a little goodie.
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