Do you feel guilty every time you open your wardrobe? Are you faced with an overflowing rack of clothes you never wear, don’t fit or still have the tags on? You deserve to enjoy a wardrobe where you can actually see the clothes you own and be inspired to wear them!
Or perhaps you recently downsized or moved house which has resulted in excess furniture cluttering your new space.
By prioritising some time to declutter that spare room or garage filled with items you no longer use and you’re not sure what to do with can be very quickly turned into cash…with a little bit of effort.
It’s definitely a lot more motivating to get started and make those decisions to let go of your possessions once you know you can potentially make some money from them!
I’ve had over 10 years of experience selling thousands of personal and client preloved items through various online platforms, including eBay, Gumtree, Consignment Stores, Buy Swap Sell Groups and Facebook Marketplace and I’m excited to share my top tips on how you can very easily get started selling your unwanted clutter today.
What are the benefits of selling your unwanted items?
- Create more space in your home.
- Pay off debt.
- Relieve stress.
- Put funds towards a personal savings goal – emergency fund, property deposit, new car, home renovation, holiday, support a charity.
- Recognise and reassess your spending habits to eliminate future unintentional purchases.
- More sustainable way of limiting waste.
Questions to ask yourself before selling
- When was the last time I used it?
- Do I love it?
- Would I buy it again today?
- Does it fit me?
- Have I ever worn it?
- Does it make me feel guilty?
- Would I be comfortable letting go of it today for substantially less than I paid for it?
- If I need it in the near future could I borrow it?
Things to consider before selling
- Condition and age of the item.
- Is there a current market for your item?
- Accessibility & location for buyers to collect.
- The timeframe you have to sell.
- Co-ordination of pick ups and money collection can often take days.
Pricing your items
- In reality, secondhand items are only worth what someone else is willing to pay.
- Do your research of similar items currently for sale.
- Be realistic, just because you paid $500 for it 5 years ago doesn’t mean you’ll sell it for $450.
The reality of selling preloved items
- There are no guarantees your items will sell.
- Communication is key. Be prepared to answer lots of questions.
- Set a deadline. If it doesn’t sell by a certain time and you urgently need to rehome it, then donate it.
- Be prepared for hagglers. Everybody wants a bargain.
- A sale is not a sale until you have received payment and the item is in the buyer’s hands!
Tips
- Take lots of photos. Make sure the lighting is good and showcase many angles.
- Detailed descriptions. Think ahead and anticipate what questions buyers may ask.
- Thoroughly inspect and test your items to confirm they are in good order for re-sale.
- Outline any flaws & provide accurate measurements and weight.
- Include authenticity papers or original receipts for designer items.
- Explain if the item is located upstairs or in a difficult space to collect from.
- Be honest and fair – do not sell fake or unauthorized items.
- Be patient. Don’t be discouraged if your items don’t sell right away.
- If you’re new to online trading, avoid selling expensive items until you’ve practiced selling cheaper items.
- Establish a reputable online presence. Buyers like to purchase from trustworthy sellers with positive feedback from previous customers.
If this all sounds too overwhelming and you’d like some further support to help get you started, then please do not hesitate to reach out via email hello@scouthgd.com.au to make an appointment for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation with me.
Keep an eye out on my Instagram and Facebook pages for more tips and tricks to help you stay organised and clutter free.
