9 online tips: Is it time to declutter your home?
The start of a new year is a great time to clean out your home and organize your living spaces. But what should you do with the gently used clothing, furniture, home items, or electronics that you aren’t using anymore? Fortunately, online marketplaces make it easy to sell without even leaving your home.
That said, there are a few perils to selling used items online. To avoid the dangers and to successfully make sales, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas recommends the following nine tips:
Choose an appropriate platform. There are dozens of online marketplaces to choose from, but many of them focus on a specific kind of used goods, such as electronics or designer clothing. Before you create an account with a marketplace, make sure it is a good fit for the kind of goods you want to sell. Check out its BBB report at BBBHouston.org.
Know the worth of your items and price appropriately. On auction sites, look at completed sales and pay attention to the selling price rather than the minimum bid price. If you are selling an item that was never used and is still in its original packaging, remember that technically it is still coming to the buyer second hand, so you’ll need to charge a little less than the original retail value if you want to make a sale.
Make a quality listing. Without a good listing, you may not sell your item. Make sure the images are clear and accurately show the item’s color, form, and other key details. You will also want to include specific measurements and detailed written descriptions that inform buyers of any flaws the item may have, no matter how small. Make it clear that the price you set takes the flaws into account. Finally, use search engine words in your item description that accurately describe the item, its aesthetic, and its use to attract buyers who are actively looking for what you are selling.
Prepare items for sale. Before you pack your item for shipping, clean it thoroughly. If you are planning on selling multiple items online and want to keep buyers coming back, put some love into your packaging as well. Wrapping the item in tissue paper and including a thank-you note can go a long way toward creating a returning customer.
Understand the fees. Each online marketplace has its own set of fees, which can vary quite a bit from platform to platform. Before you sign up, take some time to read the fine print and understand whether you will pay a percentage of your sale, a flat rate, or both and how the fees are collected. In addition, find out how many sales each platform allows you to make each month.
Consider swapping or donating used items. If you decide not to sell an item, consider donating it or giving it away to someone who needs it. Several online sites allow you to give things away to someone who needs them for free, lend and borrow items from others in your community, and even to trade items instead of selling them for cash.
Watch out for shady buyers. Con artists often pose as buyers in scams. Sometimes they offer to overpay for an item, but that’s not their only tactic. Beware of buyers who ask you to make transactions outside of the selling platform or those who ask for personal information, such as your banking information.
Be extra cautious when making local sales. Some platforms allow you to meet up with people in your local area to exchange your item for cash in person. While this can be an effective way to sell big items and avoid marketplace fees, use caution when meeting up with strangers. Don’t be quick to give them your home address; instead ask buyers to meet you in a safe place, such as outside your local police department. Never meet up with a buyer you don’t know alone. Always bring your partner or a friend to make the transaction.
Always protect your personal information. As you sell items online, keep your sensitive personal information under lock and key. Avoid communicating with buyers outside of the online platform you are using to make the sale and don’t give out your home address, phone number, or email address.
Visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-8689500. Leah Napoliello is BBB vice president of operations. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail lnapoliello@bbbhou.org with address and phone number.