HOW TO... buy and sell successfully

Make sure you do your homework to find the right platform for you…

• Have a look at the most popular apps and platforms, read the small print about the commission that’s taken when selling items, and whether postage is included when buying. Check the policies on returns, too.

• Do you want to set a price for selling items or would you prefer offers? Are you happy to post or deliver homewares or would you prefer an in-person pick-up? Facebook Marketplace is the best for local collections and deliveries.

• There’s an app for buying and selling homewares called Narchie – think Depop but for homes rather than fashion. It’s a social marketplace that looks like Instagram and allows users to buy, sell and connect all in one place. To browse and buy, set up a profile, check out the curated

‘for you’ section, use filters or a keyword search and buy instantly by card, Apple Pay or Klarna, or make an offer. You can also sell items with its payment partner Stripe (you’ll need to connect a Stripe account) and Narchie takes 10% commission for each sale and delivery cost.

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Vintage Cash Cow will buy your antique and vintage homewares in any condition including tableware, enamel signs and collectibles. Order a free postage pack, take your box to the Post Office or book a home collection and receive an offer for your goods within three to five days. If you don’t want to accept, they will return your items for free.

• Facebook Marketplace is a good place for both buying and selling. Stick to local groups if you want to deal with those more likely to collect or join broader groups to reach a wider audience.

• Vinted is more for clothing, but if you’re selling or searching for small items, then it’s worth having a look. eBay is also a good platform, but lots of sellers tend to have ‘buy now’ tags rather than bidding wars.