SELL UP A STORM ONLINE!

There are endless websites to help you buy and get rid of unwanted stuff, so follow these tips to maximize your money deals of the week

We’ve all got that friend who makes a small fortune from selling things we’d have chucked in the bin, and another who fills her house and wardrobe with the most amazing buys for next to nothing. So what’s the secret? We grill vintage expert Kate Beavis and Hannah Wilson, head of insights and operations at Gumtree, to get to the bottom of how to buy and sell online. Take note… USE CLEVER SEARCHES Grabbing a bargain is all about finding what others have missed. “Try to find things that have been wrongly labelled,” says Kate. “When buying vintage, I search for ‘old’ instead of ‘vintage’ or ‘antique,’ as often these sellers haven’t worked out the item’s true worth.” Also consider searching by distance, as collecting in person saves on postage costs. “When selling, include as many words as possible that a buyer will search for,” adds Kate. “Learn abbreviations such as BNWT (brand new with tags) and use them to entice people. Measure the item and list any flaws so the buyer has all the information.” DO YOUR RESEARCH Consider any fees (such as Paypal) you’ll have to pay and factor them in when deciding how much you charge. Kate says: “On ebay, I use ‘Buy It Now’ with my price set so I get the amount I want.” Hannah recommends doing your research. “Choose the most suitable category when posting the ad, as this will result in more exposure,” she says. “Search for similar items to get an idea of how much money you could make.” TIME IT RIGHT “The best time to sell depends on the item you’re selling,” says Hannah. “According to Gumtree data, home appliances, baby & kids’ stuff, clothes and technology receive the most views on Wednesdays, but homeware receives 15 per cent more views on Sundays.” Kate adds that the end time of an auction is crucial, and says: “Make it when people are at home, such as a Sunday night. Avoid conflicting with big events such as a football final – although womenswear sells well during a big match!” GET CREATIVE Capture the buyer’s attention by being creative, keeping it short and mentioning your item’s best feature. “Focus on the price, quality, or that it’s a ‘must-have’ item,” says Hannah. “Being more descriptive allows buyers to understand what you’re selling. For electrical items, include the make, model and RRP (recommended retail price).” PERFECT YOUR PICS “There’s nothing worse than a bad photo,” says Kate. “Take at least five photos from all angles in a good light, including a close-up of any flaws. Position against a white wall and crop out any background if needed.” Hannah advises against using generic images from the internet, and says: “Buyers are savvy and want to see the actual item. You could also add a video to see the item in full motion.” l COOL OFF! All costa Frostino drinks are half price between 3pm – 6pm, Monday to thursday, until 3 August. l HOLIDAY GEAR! home Bargains has beach towels for £5.99 and suitcases from £25.99, plus kids’ trolley cases (bee, ladybird, monster or tiger) for £9.99.