Something I like to do on a semi regular basis, is to purge some of the stuff in our home that is not needed anymore.  Although there always seems to be some sort of mess around these parts, extra clutter drives me crazy.  Plus, it’s always nice to earn bit of extra spending money!

While I’m a fan of the traditional garage sale, selling some of our old things online is really gaining popularity in my books.  I’ve found it to be less work and I tend to make more money then if I were to sell the items in a garage sale.

I’ve been dabbling a fair bit with some local Facebook Buy & Sell sites, so that’s where I have most of my experience. But Craigslist and Kijiji are also great free options for selling your stuff online.  Although, I’ve found that small items typically don’t sell well with Craigslist and Kijiji so that’s why I’ve been sticking with these Buy & Sell Facebook groups.

Here are some tips to help you successfully sell stuff online:

Research

Spend some time taking a look at items similar to what you want to sell to get an idea of what you should price your item at.  It might also be a good idea to research some of the details you think buyers might want to know.

Price Your Item Well

If you simply want to get rid of stuff quickly, price your stuff quite low.  If earning a bit of money is your goal, price your items by what you see similar items selling for.  Quite often I’ll price something a bit higher then what I’m willing to take because it’ll be a bonus if someone does purchase it at my asking price, but I know people like to barter to get a lower price.  So they’ll feel like they’re getting a deal and I’m happy I was able to earn some decent spending money!

Take Good Photos

Having good, clear photo(s) with your item is fairly crucial if you want to sell it quickly.  Here are some basic tips for taking a good picture:

• Find good lighting. Try to take your pictures in natural light. In a dark room, the photo won’t show clearly, and artificial light can change the color of the item.
• Clean the item. Make sure you give the item a good wipe down or wash to show off the condition.
• Create a clear background. Place the item in an area of your home or yard that is free of  clutter.  You want to make it clear what you’re selling so don’t let any other distracting items show up in the photo.
• Take several shots. Take at least one shot from every angle.

Write a Clear Headline

In the headline, I like to include what it is and the price.  For example:  Fisher Price Jumparoo, $40.  Having a good headline is important because it’s the first thing people see about your ad and it’s how buyers search for items they want.

Write a Good Description

In your description, you’ll want to include:

1. What you’re selling. Start the ad by explaining what your item is.
2. Item’s condition. Briefly explain the condition of the item. Make a note of any damages.
3. Technical details. Include as many technical details as you can about the item.
4. Price. Don’t forget to state the price again. Be sure to include whether you’re firm in your price or willing to take a best offer.
5. Your contact information. At the bottom of your ad, note your preferred method of contact.

Once you have your ad up and running, and you have your buyer, you’ll want to meet in a safe place.  If I’m home alone, I like to arrange a public place for item pick-up.  I try to plan it with an errand I’m already running to save running around all over town.

Have you ever sold anything online?  Will you be giving it a try?  What are your tips for selling, or even buying online?