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Aug 15, 2023

A Guide to Selling Your Unwanted Items

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Today, there are a ton of ways to pass on something that we no longer want and give it a new lease of life. Recycling your unwanted things has so many benefits, and thankfully we’re all becoming better at it. Whether you’re doing it for environmental reasons, to earn a bit of extra cash, or you’re just looking to declutter, selling your old stuff is a great way to recycle your unwanted belongings.

But when it comes to selling items, there are two questions you’re probably asking: ‘What items should I sell?’ and ‘How and where should I sell them?’. Well you’ll find out everything you need to know in this guide to selling your unwanted stuff!

What Second Hand Items Should I Sell?

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Most people have a bunch of stuff that’s just lying around gathering dust. Well that stuff could fetch a pretty penny if you were to sell it! You might already have an item in mind that you’re looking to shift, or just considering selling a few things to make some extra money or free up space. Either way, it’s useful to know what type of items are commonly sold and how much they tend to sell for.

Check out our blog post 10 second hand items that sell well, for all the answers!

Where Should I Sell My Unwanted Things?

When it comes to selling your stuff, there’s several different ways you can go about it. One of the most popular ways to sell things is on online selling sites and marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook. There’s also the option to sell your stuff offline, via car boot or yard sales.

Which option you choose will depend on what you’re selling and whether you’re willing to ship it. If you’re looking to sell things locally, we have a blog dedicated to just that: What’s the best way to sell things locally?.

In general, here are a couple of popular ways to sell your unwanted stuff…

eBay

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eBay has revolutionised the second-hand market! However, if you are new to the site, you may struggle to find a buyer. The site works with a system of feedback stars; every time you make a transaction, both buyer and seller leave feedback for each other. Unfortunately, if you are a seller without much feedback, potential buyers may be put off your wares. You could use eBay to make several purchases, thereby building up some feedback, but didn’t you want to make money rather than spend it?

Another downside to eBay is the auction format. You need to start with a low initial price so people are tempted by it, but be aware that it may not rise much, so you may end up selling for far less than your item is worth. You also need to factor in the postage costs so you are not left out of pocket.

Amazon

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Amazon has a similar marketplace to eBay. You advertise your second-hand items on their site and hope to tempt people to buy from you. Your biggest problem here is the plethora of competition. Your stuff may be listed along with many others identical items, so to get people to buy, you need to offer them something special. Usually, this is price, so it is not uncommon to see things listed for dirt cheap.

Facebook Marketplace

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Facebook Marketplace is a great buying and selling platform that allows to advertise all the stuff you don’t want anymore - it tends to be best for furniture and other home goods, although you can sell anything and everything on there. This can be a pretty handy place to reach lots of people in your local area, but your post can be hard to spot on Facebook selling sites, as they usually get flooded with posts by other people. Unfortunately, you may encounter time wasters on here. There are plenty of resources online with tips for how to sell on Facebook Marketplace, so check them out prior to selling on here.

WeBuyBooks

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Books can take up a lot of valuable storage space, so they are an ideal item to sell on, particularly if you have textbooks for courses you have finished. So how do you choose the best way to get rid of them?

WeBuyBooks is the best place to make money from your unwanted books. Straight away, you can see how much you’ll get for your book, so there is no guesswork involved. Postage is free and we also offer a free home collection service too, so there are no surprise expenses when it comes to sending out the goods. Plus, you know you will get paid, without the risk that other online marketplaces carry, and it goes straight to your account, so you don’t need to worry about cash! Webuybooks will also buy your used CDs, DVDs, games and vinyl records - so you can swap all these items for cash in one go.

Car Boot Sales

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Car boot sales are a good way to sell stuff, but you need to be aware that they involve a lot of work. You need to be up with the lark to secure the best pitch and bear in mind that what doesn’t sell will be coming home again with you, so you may have to bring it all back, too. Buyers can be extremely crafty, from driving a hard bargain so you sell for less than the item is worth, to actually taking things while your attention is elsewhere, so you really need your wits about you to do well at car boot sales. Check cash carefully, as fake notes and coins often turn up at car boot sales, and be very wary of accepting cheques, even with a guarantee card. All that being said, car boot sales are a great way to shift a lot of unwanted items at once and can be a lot of fun!

There are also a couple of niche selling sites that are tailored towards selling a particular item, such as:

The best places to sell clothes and shoes: Depop, Vinted, eBay, Sell my Soles

The best places to sell electronics: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, Music Magpie

The best place to sell books, CDs, DVDs & games: WeBuyBooks, WeBuyGames

The best places to sell furniture: Facebook Marketplace, Second-hand shops

Top Tips for Selling Your Belongings:

  • Before you price any items you’re looking to sell, have a look at what similar items are currently listed for. This will give you an idea of how much your unwated stuff is worth second hand.
  • If you’re looking to sell your stuff in a hurry, consider pricing your item lower than its competition.
  • Take good photos! People shop with their eyes, so lighting, angles and making your items look presentable will help them sell better.

You’re ready to start selling!

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