How to Sell Your Decluttered Items Online

When I started my decluttering journey a few years ago, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with my unwanted items. So I left them in a box with the plan to sell them eventually. Before I knew it, a year had passed and they were still sitting in the same spot. But that’s not decluttering. That’s just moving items from one area of the house to another. Since then, I have learned a few tricks that have helped me actually get my unwanted items out of my house for good. There are many ways to get rid of your decluttered items, but today we’re talking specifically about selling online. These tips will show you exactly how to sell stuff online so you can feel confident that you’re earning a fair amount in return for your time.

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Get clear on your why

Getting rid of years worth of clutter isn’t easy. And neither is selling your stuff online. It’s tempting to just stash your decluttered items in your garage or basement. But that won’t do you any good in the long run.

So first and foremost, you need to get clear on why you’re wanting to sell your decluttered items.

Maybe you need some extra cash because 2020.

Or you might want to build up an emergency fund.

Maybe your spouse is insistent that you sell the items you choose to get rid of. Or maybe you’re just unwilling to let go of something unless you can make back what you paid for it.

Regardless of your reasoning, make sure you have a clear goal set.

This will keep you motivated when you’re having to answer messages from people who only want to pay $5 for 20 unworn toddler outfits.

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where to sell stuff online

There are dozens of different websites and apps that will allow you to sell unwanted items online. But if you’ve never sold something online before, the entire process can seem a little confusing. I’m going to share the top 5 places that I think are worth your time and effort for selling online.

So let’s break it down!

CRAIGSLIST

Craigslist is an oldie, but it’s still a pretty reliable place to sell stuff online.

It’s best used for selling larger or more expensive items, like furniture, bikes, electronics, musical instruments, appliances, or valuable toys.

To get started, type yourcityname.craigslist.org directly in the address bar of your browser. If there’s not a listing for your specific location, you can choose the city nearest you.

On mobile, there will be an option at the top right that says post | account. You want to click on ‘post’.

On desktop, the option is on the top left, ‘create a posting’.

From there, you will be directed to choose what type of posting this is.

The posting options range from jobs, housing, and items to services and events. If you are selling your personal items, you will typically want to choose ‘for sale by owner’. There is another similar option, ‘for sale by dealer’. But this is usually for recurring sellers with an inventory or for someone who makes items to sell.

Next, you will be prompted to choose a category. With over 40 categories to choose from, you will more than likely be able to narrow it down to the specific category you’re looking for.

For this example, I chose baby and kid stuff because I have 4 kids and a million baby things that I need to sell. 😂

Once the posting page opens, you will have a couple of different options to fill out. The posting title, price, city, or neighborhood, and zip code. You also need to fill in a description and plenty of posting details such as the make/manufacturer, the model name/number, the size or dimensions, and the condition of the item.

For the description, you want to make it as specific as possible. It will also be helpful for you to make it a little catchy, like an ad. And above all else, be honest! Don’t claim that’s something is in good condition if it’s not.

At the bottom of the page, you will see an option for cryptocurrency and delivery. If you’re willing to deliver the item to the buyer, go ahead and check the delivery box!

If you have the model name and the dimensions, you definitely want to add them to your listing! You will be more likely to get some takers if you have the posting questions filled out completely.

Further down the page is an option to show your address and phone number. My personal belief is that you should only use your email address and never show your physical address!

Once you click “continue”, you will be taken to another page where you are given the option to choose the cross streets. You also have the option to just choose your zip code.

Choosing your cross streets is a lot safer than listing your address!

The next option is to add some images. If you want to sell your item, be sure to include a few pictures! Keep in mind that the first image uploaded will be the featured image that is shown first.

When you’ve finished adding all of your images, you will be shown a preview of what your post will look like. Check to make sure everything looks good and then click “publish”.

FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE

In my opinion, Facebook Marketplace is one of the best options for selling decluttered items. You can list smaller items in ‘lots’, which will make it easier to sell similar items.

If you’re listing items on a desktop, the option to sell something will be shown on the left side of the screen. Whereas on mobile, you will click on the little marketplace image in the middle of the top menu and then choose ‘sell’ at the top.

From there, a window will appear that prompts you to create a new listing. The options given are items, vehicles, homes for sale or rent, or jobs.

If you’re selling decluttered items, you will want to choose ‘items’.

Next, you will need to create the listing. Similar to Craigslist, you have the option to add photos, a title, price, and category. The category options are very detailed, which is a good thing because it helps potential buyers narrow down their search.

You also have the option to list as a single item or list as in stock. You would only choose ‘in stock’ if you were a dealer selling something from a store. For unwanted personal items, the correct option is ‘list a single item’.

Then, you want to add the brand name, your location, and a description.

And as of recently, Facebook has added an option at the very bottom for “Door Drop Off or Pick Up”. This is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you would rather keep your social distance, you can check this box. But keep in mind in order for this to work, you will need to have the buyer come to your house. I will get into some safety tips a little later in this post. But please use discretion when deciding whether or not to give out your address. If you are a single woman, I do not recommend having anyone come to your house, global pandemic or not.

A few things to note about selling on Facebook

• You will not be able to list the item if you do not include a photo
• If you are a member of any local buy, sell, or trade groups, you will have the option to list your item in the Marketplace AND your groups
• You also have the choice to join more groups specific to your area
• I suggest listing your items in 1-2 groups plus the Marketplace

To be honest, I don’t have a lot of experience selling through apps, specifically because I prefer Facebook.  But my husband LOVES Letgo.  He sells a lot of his unwanted items through the app and he also purchases a lot of toys, tools, and outdoor equipment.

Letgo, Decluttr, and Poshmark all free, but you will need to sign up with an email or a Facebook profile.  You will also need to include your location, just like with most online selling sites.  Once you’ve got everything set up, there will be an option to “sell”.

LETGO

The cool thing about LetGo is as soon as you choose what type of item you are selling, it opens your camera.  I had it positioned over my laptop and it immediately recognized ‘laptop’.  It even proceeded to tell me that a laptop typically sells for $100 in about 13 days. 

POSHMARK

If you have a lot of unwanted clothing, Poshmark is a good choice. But they will take a 20% fee of the sale price, so keep that in mind when you are pricing your items.

Typically, shoppers turn to Poshmark with the intention of purchasing used clothing for a good price or to buy items that are hard to find. It might be helpful to fill out your profile and include an image of you so buyers can have that personal connection.

DECLUTTR

Decluttr is primarily used to sell CDs, DVDs, games, books, cell phones, electronics, and Legos. You can download the app or go directly to the website at www.decluttr.com.

What really sets Decluttr apart is the fact that they offer free shipping, which is a great option! They are also known for fast payments. But unfortunately, some smaller items like CDs and books will only sell for a few dollars, if that.

If you choose to sell through the website, you will need to enter the barcode of the item you are selling. Alternatively, when you use the app, you can scan the barcode directly.

If you are only selling a couple of items, Decluttr is probably not the best option for you.

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set limits & deadlines

From snapping photos and listing items online, to responding to potential buyers and meeting them to hand over the item, selling your decluttered items online is a lot of work. And storing those items in your home takes up a lot of space.

So do yourself a favor and set a price limit and a time deadline!

Price limit

Your time is valuable! Which is why it will be in your best interest to avoid trying to sell something for less than $10 or $20. When you factor in the time it will take you from start to finish, $20 is hardly worth it considering the hours you will likely put in.

With that being said, I do know what it feels like when you’re living paycheck to paycheck and barely have enough money to get by. It’s tempting to list every single one of your unwanted items, no matter how low. But if you truly need the money and are willing to take a lower amount, try not to go any lower than $10. I can tell you from experience how disheartening it is to spend all day on something, only to get a couple of bucks.

Plus, there is always the risk of having a potential buyer show up and claim that they are a few dollars short. By sticking to a strict limit, you will ensure that you will always receive a fair amount, even if the buyer tries to shortchange you.

If you have a lot of smaller items that can only be sold for a few dollars each, your best bet will be to group them together and sell them as a ‘lot’ on Facebook. For items that can’t be sold in a lot, I personally like to either donate them to the homeless shelter, put them on the curb in front of my house, or trash them.

So whether you choose to set a $20 limit or even a $10 limit, be sure to choose a specific amount and stick to it.

Deadline

Similarly, you should also set a deadline for how long you plan to wait for your items to sell.

Without a deadline, you may be tempted to hold onto your unwanted items, even if they never sell. But saving your decluttered items for months waiting for a buyer means you’re technically just moving them from one part of your house to another. If you’re trying to get rid of clutter, you want to get those unwanted items out of your house for good.

Depending on where you’re listing your stuff, you should set a deadline of approximately 2-3 weeks. If the item has not sold within that time frame, your best bet will be to go ahead and donate it.

Safety

When it comes to selling your decluttered items online, there are a couple of safety tips you should keep in mind.

My personal opinion is that as a single woman, you should never give out your address. But of course, there will always be exceptions. If you live with another person, whether that be a spouse or a roommate. Or if you’re armed and ready to protect yourself against an intruder.

Personally, I choose to always meet people away from our residence, despite the fact that I live with my husband. This is because of the fact that he’s not always home. But my kids and I are always home, especially during this pandemic.

And speaking of the pandemic, that brings me to my next point.

When you do meet someone in public, use all of the precautions that have been suggested every time you go in public. Wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart! 😷

tips for a smooth sale

• Be sure to include as much detail as possible in your listings. Instead of just listing “newborn bassinet”, include the brand name, color, and any relevant features. Make it catchy!

• When possible, leave feedback! This will encourage buyers to leave reviews on you, which will boost your chances of selling your next item quickly.

• If you are unsure what price to list an item for, do some research beforehand. Don’t just assume that you will be able to sell something for a specific price, because more often than not, you won’t get any takers, which will cost you more time in the long run.

• Once you have listed your items, keep an eye on the app or messaging options. If someone is looking for a particular item and you don’t answer them in a timely manner, they could very well move on to someone else.

• If you plan to sell more than a few items online, you may run into the problem of not knowing where a particular item was stored. The best way to avoid this is to keep your listed and unlisted items separated into two individual piles. Personally, I like to use a handful of small boxes and some moving labels from Uhaul. This makes it super easy to keep everything separated so I can find what I need the minute I get a potential buyer.

• Instead of selling individual items for a few dollars, I suggest listing them as a ‘lot’ on Facebook. This could be a lot of clothing, collectibles, toys, china, tools, etc.

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Final thoughts

Well, there you have it! The ultimate guide to selling stuff online. By following these tips, you will be able to follow through and get the clutter out of your house, all while making a little bit of extra cash!

To recap, here are a few of the key takeaways that you should remember:

• Get clear on why you want to sell your stuff online
• Guard your time! Don’t sell items for less than $20 ($10 is the lowest you should go)
• Set a deadline so you aren’t holding onto your unwanted items indefinitely
• Keep your listed and unlisted items in separate piles so you can find what you need right away
• Aim to always meet people in public (wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart!)

Good luck selling your decluttered items online! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below! And stay tuned for next week’s post on how to donate your decluttered items.

Ready to get rid of your clutter and get organized? Grab the FREE 30-Day Declutter Calendar and start tackling your home one step at a time, in less than 15 minutes a day. 👇

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