Ideal if you’re looking to make a little extra money during lockdown.
Two of lockdowns most ever-present concerns have collided; the need to make rent and a pressing desire to declutter. With the job market so tough to enter from home right now, many Brits are looking for ways to earn a little cash on the side by selling unwanted items online.
As with so many things we’re suddenly having to learn out of either necessity or boredom, there’s an art to advertising, getting the right price for, and ultimately distributing, your things online.
If you’re keen to learn more, here are 5 tips for shifting your belongings online, IDEAL if you’re looking to make a little extra money during lockdown.
SAY HELLO TO SOCIAL
Social media is a fantastic platform for selling all types of clothes, tech and household items that you’re keen to get rid of. That said, it’s also a fantastically informal way to do things, for better or for worse, and it pays to have your guard up to scams and misinformation if you’re to get the most from the platform.
The most popular platforms are local area groups, such as Next Door, Gum Tree and Craigslist, which allow you to advertise bits’n’bobs on forums via location. The biggest and most popular platform by a long chalk, however, is Facebook and its dedicated Facebook Marketplace facility, which has millions of users all over the world, as well as hosting various local groups on the omnipresent social media network.
Unlike eBay, Facebook takes no fee (compared to eBay’s 10% of the total transaction including postage) but you do have to sell your soul (well, let them read your messages and peruse your photos) to the company as a tradeoff. What’s more, the Marketplace has no official moderation process, and any arising disputes are settled via a flurry of insults and threats. So, if you’re looking for a fee-free, fast sale, Facebook is great, but there’s also a feel of the Wild West about it which, for some, may be offputting.
If you’re exchanging the goods in person, always meet in a busy public place, and be cautious about revealing personal information. Do remember that social-distancing is currently required by law; adhere to government guidelines strictly should you be making an exchanging face-to-face.
Check out these vital tips for more on staying safe when using Facebook Marketplace.
eBAY
And then, there is eBay, undoubtedly one of, if not the, most popular online marketplace for sellers. With an estimated 182 million users worldwide and an app which has been downloaded 476 million times, the reach of the platform is huge. In contrast to Facebook Marketplace, which works on location and is, therefore, more prevalent in urban areas and less effective rurally, eBay reaches worldwide.
In theory, selling should be faster and more secure from scams, fraud and safety concerns; there are moderators and a returns and disputes process in place to help solve any issues. Also of importance, eBay have published their own guidelines on safe selling during coronavirus; do bear it in mind going forward.
In a report by Orberlo.co.uk on ‘10 eBay statistics you need to know’, they reveal that the most successful products to sell on the site include ‘Electronics and Accessories’ (16.4%), followed by ‘Clothing and Accessories’, ‘Automotive’ (11%), ‘Health & Beauty’ (9%), and ‘Sports & Outdoors’ finishes the list. Prioritise these items if you’re keen to earn maximum value on your sales.
If you’re keen to learn more, and with the help of eBay themselves, we’ve put together this handy guide on 5 IDEAL tips for selling on eBay – do check it out if you want to shift your stuff successfully.
APPLY IT
That said, Facebook and eBay certainly don’t have the monopoly over second hand selling. Secondhand sale apps are big business these days. And during this period of national lockdown, they can be incredibly useful for the casual seller looking to earn a few extra quid from their clutter.
Some of the most popular include Vinted, Depop and Shpock, though do be warned that apps to take a cut of the profits. So which one should you use? Well, Vinted is ideal for giving pre-loved fashion a second life. Depop, a peer-to-peer social shopping app, is ‘a sort of combination of eBay and Instagram‘ and popular with Gen Z. Shpock, as one reviewer of the app writes “is the boot sale app for beautiful things in your neighbourhood”. There’s also Etsy, which is full of vintage finds and great if you’re looking to sell some of your own handmade wares.
TAKE DECENT PHOTOS
Trust is a rare commodity online, so it’s essential that you take flattering but honest photos of the items you’re hoping to sell on. As much as is possible, capture different angles to give the buyer an idea of the actual appearance of the item. While you might feel tempted to photoshop the images to give them a little sparkle and sheen, most buyers prefer raw images. You could even take videos of the items and upload them, too.
FIND THE RIGHT COURIER
Once you’ve advertised, photographed and – fingers crossed – clicked ‘sell’ on your product, you then have to work out the logistics of shipping the item to its new home. We’ve already covered Facebook Marketplace meet-ups above; remember to stay safe and socially distant if you’re following that lead. You can also use eBay’s dedicated label printing and drop-off system, Packlink, if you’re selling via their platform.
Should you be doing things more informally, then the app you’ve chosen will have dedicated guidelines on how to send your products to the buyer safety and smoothly. Alternatively, Shift Shopping have introduced a motorcycle courier service who will collect the item from your home should you not have the time or willpower to get out to the post office. The app is fantastic; simply enter your address and the delivery address, and then the type of item you’re sending, and Shift will name you a price. Easy as pie! Though perhaps don’t send a pie through the post; it’ll only arrive with a soggy bottom.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Wondering how to earn a few extra pounds on the side? Then check out our article on 7 IDEAL ways to make money online right now. We’ve also put together a guide on how to get started flipping items for profit if you’re still keen to learn more.