How to Make Money Selling Your Stuff Online: Expert Tricks Get You Top Dollar
Got an eye for secondhand goods? Clearing out clutter in your home? Gone are the days of waiting for your next neighborhood yard sale — all you need is an Internet connection to start turning pre-loved pieces into extra cash! Thanks to the rise of reselling apps and platforms, you can easily sell your stuff online and boost your bank account on your own time. The demand is growing by the day: According to online resale site ThredUp, 64% of women are now interested in buying secondhand products, up from just 45% in 2016. What’s more, ThredUp projects that the global secondhand market is expected to nearly double by 2027, reaching $350 billion. Keep scrolling to learn how you can cash in on this growing market!
(And for more ways to make money working from home, click here and here!)
What are the benefits of selling your stuff online?
One perk of knowing how to sell stuff online as a side gig is that there’s no initial investment required. In fact, the average household already contains potentially reusable goods worth roughly $4,500, so it’s possible to turn a profit without any upfront costs.
Plus, no special experience is needed. There’s a wide variety of goods to resell and an equally wide variety of platforms to choose from, so there’s a niche for all ages, interests, financial goals and lifestyles. It’s a super flexible side gig, which means you can devote as much or as little time as you’d like. Some resellers treat it as a full-time job and bring in six figures per year, while others earn a little bit of extra income each month.
There’s even more to gain beyond the financial boost. For one, decluttering your space has proven mental benefits, like reducing stress and improving focus. Two, giving items new life keeps them out of landfills, which is good for the environment. Three, it’s fun! One person’s trash is another’s treasure, and it’s super rewarding to help find a new home for secondhand goods. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to sell stuff online.
Related: Here’s How to Spot the Best Deals on Pre-Owned Items + Get More for Your Money
Reselling clothing and accessories online
Don’t let those old favorites collect dust! Reselling clothes and accessories online is a booming industry, with women as the key consumers and sellers. 75% of consumers have shopped or are open to shopping secondhand apparel, so there’s no shortage of potential buyers.
Here are some of the most popular resale platforms for clothing and accessories:
Poshmark: A leading social marketplace for selling clothes online, with over 80 million users.
Mercari: An online consignment shop known as “the selling app” for all kinds of goods, including clothing and accessories.
ThredUp: A sustainability-focused online marketplace for thrifted clothing.
The RealReal: An online marketplace that specializes in the resale of luxury designer brands.
The Alloy Market: A platform that makes it easy to sell your gold, silver and platinum jewelry.
Rebag: An e-commerce platform for reselling designer handbags.
Vinted: An online marketplace focused on secondhand clothing and accessories. Its main customer base is in Europe, but it’s slowly growing in the United States.
eBay: One of the oldest online marketplaces for selling all kinds of goods and items.
Facebook Marketplace: A convenient and free platform for buying and selling used items (including clothing and accessories) in your local community.
Feeling overwhelmed by the options? When learning how to sell stuff online, there’s no need to choose just one platform, says Casey O'Rourke, owner of Blue Suede Vintage. Cross-posting on various platforms is a great way to boost your success.
“Ideally, it's great to own your own audience, and to not be at the mercy of any one platform. That’s why I have my own website and also post on Etsy, eBay, Instagram, and Depop. But owning your audience could be as simple as starting your own customer email list,” she says. “There are now plug-ins and platforms (such as List Perfectly) that allow you to cross-list on multiple marketplaces. These are helpful because what may sell well on eBay may not sell as well on Poshmark, and vice versa; it's great to diversify.”
Regardless of the platform you choose, one thing is for sure: Photos matter. You don’t need a fancy camera, says O’Rourke, but it’s important to focus on lighting and editing.
“There are limited free services that can drop the background out of your photos to make them super clean. If you’re really getting into reselling, I recommend Canva Pro (which also has this feature). It’s $15 per month, but worth the investment,” she says.
How to sell stuff online: clothing and accessories
1.Start with your own closet
You’ll be surprised with how much stuff you already own, says Lena Lee, a publicist who sells clothing on the side on resale platforms like Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari. (Click the links to see her stores!) “Don’t forget to ask your friends and family if they have any items they don’t wear anymore,” she says. “You’ll never know how many people want to donate and support your small business if you don’t ask!”
2. Research different platforms and item pricing
With so many options, you’ll want to do your homework to understand the best platform/s for what you’re selling. For instance, Poshmark and The RealReal are great options for higher-end items, while Depop or Mercari are favorites among the younger crowd for on-trend items. Ditto for pricing — check what other resellers are pricing similar items to stay competitive.
3. Set up shop policies
According to O’Rourke, having clear guidelines (Will you ship internationally? Will you accept returns?) can help you mitigate issues down the road.
4. Don’t be afraid to stick to your selling price
While many people will try to lowball you, know that you ultimately control the sale, advises Lee. It’s important to stay polite and professional in your replies, but don’t accept offers that don’t feel right to you.
5. Leverage social media
Share your listings on Instagram and Facebook to reach more people and spotlight your items in a more personal way. Bonus points if a secondhand item has an interesting backstory!
6. Set up a shipping station
Even if it's just a single small table, O’Rourke recommends having shipping supplies at the ready. “Consider a shipping label printer if you plan on selling with any regular frequency — you can find one somewhat reasonably on Amazon,” she says. “Save all the packaging from your own online purchases and reuse them to save money and the environment!”
7. Add a personal touch
It may sound simple, but including a “thank you” card in the package is a great way to stand out as a memorable seller, which is the key to repeat customers.
8. Consider timing
Seasonality and holidays can drive sales, so keep this in mind to maximize your profits.
9. Support other buyers
For Lee, showing support to other resellers by sharing their items on the platform is a must. “This is also a great way to increase engagement and sales opportunities,” she says.
For more tips and inspiration on selling secondhand clothing and inspiration, check out My Thrift Life, a blog which covers everything from the best accessories to sell on Poshmark to how to properly package delicate items.
Reselling furniture or home goods online
Clothing isn’t the only money-maker when it comes to knowing how to sell stuff online. If you’re ready to ditch your couch or swap out your dresser, you may be sitting on a potential goldmine. So don’t take that ancient armoire to the landfill just yet: The E-commerce furniture market was valued at an estimated $27.7 billion in 2023, and is predicted to top $40 billion by 2030.
Of course, the amount of earning potential depends on the kind of stuff you’re selling and how much time you plan to put in. You can easily earn hundreds selling a couch or dresser you already have — and even more if you choose to pursue furniture-flipping as a steady side gig.
Here are some of the most popular resale platforms for furniture and home goods:
OfferUp: The largest mobile marketplace for online buyers and sellers.
The Varage Sale: A family-friendly app to buy and sell new and used items locally.
Chairish: A marketplace for buying and selling unique home furnishings, with more than 2,000 items posted each day.
Bonanza: An online marketplace for selling all kinds of products.
Bookoo: An online classifieds community called “the world’s giant online yard sale.”
1stDibs: The world's largest online luxury marketplace for one-of-a-kind antiques, modern furniture, vintage fashion, jewelry and fine art.
eBay: One of the oldest online marketplaces for selling all kinds of goods and items.
Craigslist A classified ads website where users can buy and sell used items locally.
Facebook Marketplace: A convenient and free platform for buying and selling used items (including furniture and home goods) in your local community.
How to sell your stuff online: furniture and home decor
1. Give items some TLC
While some people may be willing to buy “as is,” you should always give items a scrub before listing them. A good vacuuming, dusting or Magic Eraser session can work wonders!
Related: The ‘Iron’ Secret To Removing Red Wine Stains From Upholstered Furniture
2. Choose your platform
Think of yourself as a matchmaker for furniture, pairing each piece with the perfect online date, says Karina Newman, owner of iBuyers. “Each choice is a deliberate decision. eBay is like the bustling city market, while Facebook Marketplace is like introducing your pieces to neighbors. Platforms like Chairish or Etsy are like niche galleries for connoisseurs,” she says.
3. Tell a story
According to Newman, it's more than just dimensions and materials — it's about bringing each item to life. “Share the quirks, the history and the personality of each piece. The aim is to make the buyer feel they're not just purchasing an item; they're gaining a piece with a story to tell,” she says.
4. Be a good communicator
It’s important to respond promptly and authentically, just like you would in an in-person conversation. “Be open about imperfections, treating potential buyers like friends you want to be honest with. The aim is to establish a connection, making buyers feel comfortable and confident in their decision,” says Newman.
5 . Consider logistics
Selling furniture, especially bulky items, requires more advance planning than say, a handbag. Make sure to provide buyers with accurate dimensions and emphasize what they’ll need to pick up the item (i.e. a truck, two sets of hands or a roof rack).
Reselling electronics
Selling your old gadgets is easier than you think. If an electronic item is in fairly decent condition, there’s a good chance you can score some dough for it. Even if you think an item is far past its prime, there are plenty of tech collectors who may be willing to pay for it. Reselling electronics might not make you rich, but it is a side gig you can feel good about it. Considering that e-waste contains toxic substances like lead, mercury and cadmium, it’s super beneficial to the planet.
Here are some of the most popular resale platforms for electronics:
Decluttr: A buyback service that specializes in miscellaneous tech, including cell phones, game consoles and DVDs.
Swappa: An online marketplace specializing in tech such as cell phones, laptops, video games and more.
Amazon Trade-in: Search for an electronic item on Amazon and provide details about its current condition, and Amazon may just make you an offer.
Apple Trade-in: Did you know that Apple will pay you to trade in devices from other companies, too? The catch is that it’s a trade-in program, meaning it only works if you’re also buying a new device.
eBay: A classified ads website where users can buy and sell used items locally.
Craigslist: One of the oldest online marketplaces for selling all kinds of goods and items.
Facebook Marketplace: A convenient and free platform for buying and selling used items (including electronics) in your local community.
For even more work-from-home jobs, click through the links below:
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Jobs Working With Animals: How to Turn Your Love for Cats and Dogs Into Extra Cash
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