5 Things to Remember When Selling Your Old Stuff Online

If you play your cards right, it can be extremely rewarding to sell secondhand items online. Doing so will give you the opportunity to declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer need, as well as earn some extra money on the side.

But there are certain things that you need to be aware of if you want the experience to be a good one for both you and your buyers. For sellers of preloved items like a second hand sofa and other furniture, refurbished electronics, secondhand clothes, and old collectibles and memorabilia, here are five useful tips:

Choose a Good Selling Platform

There are a lot of avenues to sell preloved items online, from dedicated ecommerce marketplaces like LookingFour to social media platforms and apps. But one type of platform may be better suited for you for reasons like convenience and ease of use.

A trustworthy selling platform can also protect you from buyer scams and other security issues that you may encounter while selling your items. Other platforms can allow you to take the extra step of establishing yourself as a reliable seller to your buyers. For example, going through LookingFour's three-step user verification system will earn you the distinction of being a Sigurado Seller—someone that buyers wouldn't hesitate to interact with.

Weigh the options you have at your disposal and choose your selling platform wisely. The right choice of platform could make all the difference in your selling experience of secondhand items.

Be Clear and Be Fair When Deciding Your Prices

Next, to sell your items more quickly and to gain the trust of your potential buyers, be as fair as possible when appraising your secondhand items. Normally, buyers don't expect preloved items to command the same prices as brand-new ones, and unless your item is in mint condition or has never been used out of the box, they won't be too pleased to shell out.

A good rule of thumb is to find out the item's current retail price, then to mark it down anywhere between 25 percent and 50 percent of the original price. It would also be a good idea for you to look up similar items that are also being sold secondhand and to price your items within the same range.

In addition, be clear about the item's price when you put up your listing. Buyers are easily turned off by requests to DM or “direct message” for an item's price, and they may choose to buy from another seller for this very reason.

Lastly, be upfront in your listing about whether you'll give buyers room to haggle. Base it on how soon you want to let go of the item, as well as how much you think it's fair to retain its original price.

Be Honest about the Condition of Each Item

One thing that can either make or break a selling experience is whether the seller has lived up to the buyer's expectations. Satisfied buyers will be motivated to purchase from you again, while disgruntled buyers can speak ill of you to other people who are also in the market.

That's why it's very important to be upfront about the condition of your items and to back up your claims with evidence. For example, make sure to take clear and detailed photos of your items from various angles. Ensure that these photos have good lighting, but don't doctor them so that the item looks drastically different from how it does in real life.

You should also consider keeping each item's price tags and receipts, as these can help you convince your buyers to buy from you. Keeping the price tag on an unworn clothing item will increase your chances of getting a buyer to pay close to its original price. Having a receipt for a secondhand item of great value can prove its quality and authenticity to a buyer, therefore making it easier for them to say yes.

Create Eye-Catching and Detailed Listings

The more details you provide about your items, the greater your chance of garnering a buyer's interest in them. Regardless of which platform you're using to sell your items, don't scrimp on the details that you put in your listings.

On top of the basics, like the item's price and its exact specifications, you can add details about where you sourced it from and what buyers can use it for. Say you're selling off an old tent; it would be good for buyers to know that it comes from a reputable local or international brand, and that they can use it for both mountain camping and beach camping.

Of course, there's no need to overload your listing with details. That said, listings that contain more than the basics, and listings that have a sense of “story” to them, are the ones that will stand out the most to your customers.

Find the Best Strategies for Shipping and Delivering Your Items

Finally, even before your buyers have agreed to purchase something from you, think about the best strategies for getting your items to them. It may be efficient to ship some secondhand items via courier, but you can request meetups with your customers or handle the deliveries personally if you're selling delicate or high-value items.

Even if they're buying secondhand items at great value, buyers will still want to know the whereabouts of their deliveries. Put their minds at ease by giving them updates, and do your best to ship out your items on time.

With a little more knowledge of how to use your chosen platform, how to arrive at the right price, and how to draw your customers' interest, you'll soon be a pro at selling secondhand items online. Sign up on an ecommerce marketplace like LookingFour, grab your camera, and start creating your secondhand product listings!