When my mother bought the home I grew up in, she bought all the pieces. For months main as much as her transfer, she saved telling me about all of the gross sales she was having. In the future, she talked about she’d bought 20 empty pickle jars for $20. I couldn’t consider it! I believed, “If she will be able to promote used pickle jars for $20, I positively want to start out promoting my stuff too.”
That second marked the beginning of my journey into promoting undesirable objects. I started by itemizing issues on Craigslist however ultimately switched to Facebook Marketplace after a pal beneficial it. My mother wasn’t the one nice salesperson—one in every of my mates was too. I requested them numerous questions and picked up some priceless suggestions. (I nonetheless often seek the advice of them for recommendation on pricing objects or writing a list.)
Now, with over $5,000 in gross sales beneath my belt, I contemplate myself an knowledgeable. When you’re interested by downsizing like my mother or simply need to do away with some additional stuff round the home, listed here are some suggestions that can assist you promote your objects and enhance your earnings.
1. Give your self time
When you’re planning to downsize in a yr or extra, beginning to promote your objects now might help you maximize your earnings. Some objects take time to promote, and if you happen to’re not in a rush to do away with them, you received’t really feel pressured to decrease your worth and even give it away at no cost. One merchandise I bought—a pirate signal—took virtually a yr to promote. However I obtained the total worth of $40 by ready and it most likely helped that it was close to Halloween.
2. Pictures make a distinction
Naturally, you’ll need to embody footage of your merchandise on the market. When photographing it, test that there isn’t something within the background so your merchandise is highlighted. Additionally, make sure that it’s clear and well-presented with good lighting. I normally submit two or three pictures of the merchandise with totally different angles (entrance, again and aspect).
3. Decide your worth appropriately
Probably the most difficult elements of promoting objects is determining the appropriate worth. Value it too excessive, and nobody will purchase it. Value it too low, and also you received’t earn as a lot as you would have. Plus, pricing too low can result in a flood of patrons, which could be overwhelming and time-consuming to handle.
My rule of thumb is to cost objects at 50% of what I initially paid for them. After I decide that worth, I search Market for comparable objects to see what others are asking. I additionally lookup the merchandise on-line to test its present worth. Often, the worth of an merchandise can have elevated since I purchased it. In these circumstances, I base my worth on 50% of the present worth as an alternative.
Some patrons will settle for the total asking worth, whereas others might attempt to negotiate for a decrease one. When you’re not open to negotiation, you may state in your itemizing that the worth is agency. Nevertheless, some patrons might ignore this and nonetheless make decrease affords.
After I’ve simply listed an merchandise, I normally reply to decrease affords by saying, “I recognize your curiosity, however I’m not reducing the worth at the moment.” Even when an merchandise has been listed for over a yr—like my pirate signal—I would nonetheless stick with my asking worth.
Deciding whether or not to barter depends upon components like whether or not eliminating an merchandise is extra essential than getting your full asking worth.
4. Persist with your weapons
Most patrons don’t attempt to negotiate after agreeing to buy and choose up an merchandise. Nevertheless, I’ve been caught off guard earlier than. As soon as, whereas answering questions on an merchandise, a purchaser unexpectedly requested for a reduction. For some purpose, I stated sure, and I’ve regretted it ever since. I feel I wasn’t ready for the negotiation. So, all the time be prepared for a purchaser who would possibly attempt to haggle—even on the final minute.
It’s essential to do not forget that this can be a enterprise transaction, so that you shouldn’t really feel dangerous about sticking to your worth or accepting the next supply when you could have a number of bids. Additionally, I all the time attempt to keep skilled with patrons, even after they annoy me—for instance, by providing much less after I’ve clearly said the worth is agency or asking concerning the dimension when it’s already listed.
Typically, patrons would possibly ask for an merchandise at no cost, claiming they’re donating it to charity or going by means of laborious instances. Whilst you can select to supply it at no cost in order for you, don’t really feel obligated—that is nonetheless a enterprise deal, and it’s OK to prioritize your individual wants.
5. Play it protected
Though I haven’t personally skilled any issues of safety with patrons, I’ve heard some regarding tales from others. To remain protected, I by no means give out my cellphone quantity—all communication is completed by means of Fb Messenger. I additionally make a behavior of checking a purchaser’s Fb profile earlier than agreeing to fulfill with them. This helps me affirm they’re actual. You’ll be able to normally inform by taking a look at particulars like their variety of mates, pictures and when their account was created (that is listed on their profile). You can too search present on-line scams to be sure to will not be being focused.
Usually I solely settle for money however I’ve additionally accepted Venmo if we’ve mutual mates or the client seems to be a reliable particular person. Typically I exploit this selection if the client needs to pay me upfront, and I’ll go away the merchandise in a protected location by my storage.
Past incomes cash and selling eco-friendliness, I like the concept of giving my undesirable objects a second life. Because the saying goes, “One man’s trash is one other man’s treasure.”
Picture from New Africa/Shutterstock.com
