EASY WAYS TO SELL YOUR STUFF ONLINE
With so many e-commerce platforms around now, it’s simpler than ever to make extra cash by flogging the things that you no longer need. Here’s where to list what...
Whether it’s your old mobile phone, the crib your baby has outgrown, or that TV stand gathering dust in the garage, most of us have stuff we want to get rid of. While years ago, we might have logged straight onto ebay, there are now so many selling sites – some free and some not – it can be baffling to know where to turn. We asked Julian House, founder of Myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk and online selling expert, for his advice on where to sell your unwanted belongings.
USE EBAY FOR HIGHER VALUE & NICHE ITEMS
ebay charge fees (usually 10 per cent of the final selling price), but it is still good for selling niche pieces, like specialist technology or highervalue items, because with that fee comes protection. “ebay has a huge audience, so selling particularly niche items is often much easier here than on smaller platforms,” says Julian. “You can generally sell anything on ebay – including things you might otherwise have considered rubbish, like empty perfume bottles or cardboard boxes. While the fees can be quite high, they offer good buyer and seller protection [you are covered from fraud if you sell and pay through the site].” It’s best to list items on a Sunday evening, when most buyers are at home and ready to keep an eye on their auctions.
LIST FURNITURE ON SHPOCK
Shpock – short for shop in your pocket – allows users to sell items locally with no fees. “Shpock is a solid platform if you’re selling bulky items that are simply not practical to post, like furniture or baby equipment, as buyers are local, so they can collect their goods themselves,” explains Julian. “Shpock doesn’t get involved in the transactions – it is just a listing platform – so ensure you receive the payment in cash before handing over the item.”
UPLOAD SMALLER PIECES ON FACEBOOK
Facebook Marketplace is growing in popularity. It’s easy to upload items, and as it’s linked to your Facebook account and messenger services, it’s hassle free. “You get a lot of local shoppers here, so again, it lends itself well to selling bulky items that aren’t easy to post. But the transactions take place in person, so buyers don’t benefit from payment protection. As such, you’d expect lower-value items like baby clothes to perform better here.”
TRY DEPOP FOR CLOTHES
Most people choose to sell fashion items on Depop. “Depop charges 10 per cent commission, so it isn’t too dissimilar to ebay in terms of the cost of selling there,” says Julian. “It’s predominantly a fashion platform, so is great for selling clothes that you just didn’t wear as much as you thought you would when you bought them.”