The COVID-19 pandemic has brought ordinary life to a halt. The world is on lockdown with the hope that we can get back to normal in the not too distant future. This crisis has weighed on millions of individuals. Some have lost family or loved ones, and others have lost jobs or financial security.
Without neglecting the tragic elements of the pandemic, it is vital to note that each crisis comes with a chance to get better. There have been many positive, such as reducing pollution, community spirit, fundraising, and increasing family time. Best of all, healthcare workers are finally being recognized as their heroes.
Quarantine is also forcing people to take care of household projects that have been delayed for months, or even years. Whether you have been spring cleaning, redecorating, or decluttering, you may find that there are numerous things in your home that you do not really do. need.
Being confined to our homes has caused many of us to place greater value on the things we truly value. While you are in this headspace, perhaps now is the time to rid your home of unnecessary things chaos. It can do wonders for your home, your property mental healthand your pocket.
So the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. While most of your stockpile most likely needs to be thrown in the trash right away, there may be valuable items. With online shopping on the rise, and folks trying to find bargains on every corner, now is the perfect time to make some extra cash from your trash.
Here’s everything you need to know about selling your home items.
Decide what to sell
Go through your messy bag and find out what has value. Sports equipment and furniture are bulky items that take up quite a lot of space. If they’re in good condition, they can have a significant resale value. Bicycles, kids’s toys, and baby equipment are other examples of valuable items that you may no longer use.
Some things you might not think of are clothes, kitchenware, electronics, books, comics, DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, jewellery, tools, and art.
Create a master list of things for sale.
Know what to throw in the trash
The title of this article is “how to make money from your trash”, but the line has to be drawn someplace. Some old stuff just fits in the trash. Know what’s valuable, and what you should not sell.
Where to sell?
Old-fashioned yard sales may be gone today, but fortunately there are many options for home sales.
Facebook Market is a wonderful option for targeting people in your area. It’s free and simple.
Research Facebook group which is devoted to people who buy and sell used goods.
eBay is a tried and tested selling platform. However, there are millions of sellers who may whip up an identical product for you. This may not be the fastest way to get rid of your items.
Amazons can be for sale too. The problem is they’re selling on your behalf, so you aren’t in total control.
There even is more choices out there, with some being better suited to certain niches. Alternatively, you can choose a more traditional sales platform such as a local market, car boot sale or fair.
Write excellent product descriptions
If you sell online, put extra effort into writing good, detailed product descriptions. Make the customer’s job easier by providing concise information and using engaging language. Tell readers why your product will add value to their lives.
Set realistic prices
Don’t diminish the value of your used items, but avoid overfilling. Research the market and set a fair and realistic price.
Honest
Be honest and forthright about any mistakes or damage to the items you are selling. It shows respect for your buyer, and it will save you trouble in the long run. Most of your item has been used, so it is understandable if it is a little rough around the edges.
Take great photos
Nice pictures selling products. There’s nothing worse than finding a product online that has blurry, dark, or distorted images. Don’t sell yourself out by taking bad photos.
Most people have an iPhone or a smartphone with a wonderful camera. Here are some tips for taking the best photos:
Set a plain background with good lighting.
Take a photo on your iPhone with the image quality setting enabled.
Transfer photos from iPhone to Mac.
Check the photos and edit a little if necessary.
At this point, your photo is prepared to upload.
Consider selling in bulk
The best way to get rid of enormous quantities of goods is to sell in bulk. Consider selling a batch of things at a discount. This encourages larger purchases and offers customers higher perceived value.
It is best to combine likes with likes. For example, you can sell one shirt for $2, but offer three shirts for $5. This shows clear savings. There’s no point in offering a discount on a t-shirt when you buy a lamp.
Other items appropriate for mass selling are DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, books, toys, and kitchen equipment.
Prepare yourself to waste time
If you sell quite a lot of stuff online, you are likely wasting your time. These come in many forms. Some people will comply with buy something, set a time and place for the exchange, only for you to never hear from them again. Others will try to haggle for a hefty discount, then decide they are not interested.
Time wasters are inevitable. If you see someone coming, cut off communication early. If you are meeting someone, choose a location and time that’s comfy for you.
Be careful
Selling privately has its risks. People may try to deceive, take advantage or harm you. These cases are rare, but they do occur, so precautions must be taken. Here are some tips to make sure your safety.
- Limit the amount of personal information you provide to strangers.
- Don’t set up sales meetings at your personal address.
- Don’t travel alone when meeting buyers.
- Don’t share your bank details – opt for cash sales only.
- If you use a sales platform, follow their rules and regulations carefully.
- Proof of delivery document.
- Take photos that clearly show the condition of all items before selling them.
- Following the steps above should make for a safe and enjoyable selling experience.
