When my mother bought the home I grew up in, she bought every part. For months main as much as her transfer, she saved telling me about all of the gross sales she was having. Sooner or later, she talked about she’d bought 20 empty pickle jars for $20. I couldn’t imagine it! I believed, “If she will promote used pickle jars for $20, I positively want to begin promoting my stuff too.”
That second marked the beginning of my journey into promoting undesirable gadgets. I started by itemizing issues on Craigslist however finally switched to Fb Market after a good friend beneficial it. My mother wasn’t the one nice salesperson—certainly one of my mates was too. I requested them numerous questions and picked up some priceless suggestions. (I nonetheless often seek the advice of them for recommendation on pricing gadgets or writing a list.)
Now, with over $5,000 in gross sales below my belt, I contemplate myself an skilled. Should you’re excited about downsizing like my mother or simply wish to do away with some additional stuff round the home, listed below are some suggestions that can assist you promote your gadgets and enhance your income.
1. Give your self time
Should you’re planning to downsize in a yr or extra, beginning to promote your gadgets now might help you maximize your income. Some gadgets take time to promote, and for those who’re not in a rush to do away with them, you gained’t really feel pressured to decrease your value and even give it away without cost. One merchandise I bought—a pirate signal—took nearly a yr to promote. However I obtained the complete value of $40 by ready and it in all probability helped that it was close to Halloween.
2. Pictures make a distinction
Naturally, you’ll wish to embrace footage of your merchandise on the market. When photographing it, examine that there isn’t something within the background so your merchandise is highlighted. Additionally, be sure it’s clear and well-presented with good lighting. I normally publish two or three photographs of the merchandise with totally different angles (entrance, again and facet).
3. Choose your value appropriately
Some of the difficult components of promoting gadgets is determining the best value. Value it too excessive, and nobody will purchase it. Value it too low, and also you gained’t earn as a lot as you can have. Plus, pricing too low can result in a flood of consumers, which may be overwhelming and time-consuming to handle.
My rule of thumb is to cost gadgets at 50% of what I initially paid for them. After I decide that value, I search Market for comparable gadgets to see what others are asking. I additionally search for the merchandise on-line to examine its present worth. Often, the worth of an merchandise could have elevated since I purchased it. In these circumstances, I base my value on 50% of the present worth as a substitute.
Some consumers will settle for the complete asking value, whereas others could attempt to negotiate for a decrease one. Should you’re not open to negotiation, you’ll be able to state in your itemizing that the value is agency. Nevertheless, some consumers could ignore this and nonetheless make decrease affords.
Once I’ve simply listed an merchandise, I normally reply to decrease affords by saying, “I admire your curiosity, however I’m not reducing the value right now.” Even when an merchandise has been listed for over a yr—like my pirate signal—I’d nonetheless follow my asking value.
Deciding whether or not to barter is dependent upon components like whether or not eliminating an merchandise is extra essential than getting your full asking value.
4. Follow your weapons
Most consumers don’t attempt to negotiate after agreeing to buy and decide up an merchandise. Nevertheless, I’ve been caught off guard earlier than. As soon as, whereas answering questions on an merchandise, a purchaser unexpectedly requested for a reduction. For some motive, I mentioned sure, and I’ve regretted it ever since. I believe I wasn’t ready for the negotiation. So, all the time be prepared for a purchaser who would possibly attempt to haggle—even on the final minute.
It’s essential to do not forget that it is a enterprise transaction, so that you shouldn’t really feel dangerous about sticking to your value or accepting a better supply when you might have a number of bids. Additionally, I all the time attempt to keep skilled with consumers, even once they annoy me—for instance, by providing much less after I’ve clearly acknowledged the value is agency or asking concerning the measurement when it’s already listed.
Typically, consumers would possibly ask for an merchandise without cost, claiming they’re donating it to charity or going by laborious instances. When you can select to supply it without cost if you need, don’t really feel obligated—that is nonetheless a enterprise deal, and it’s OK to prioritize your personal wants.
5. Play it secure
Though I haven’t personally skilled any questions of safety with consumers, I’ve heard some regarding tales from others. To remain secure, I by no means give out my cellphone quantity—all communication is completed by Fb Messenger. I additionally make a behavior of checking a purchaser’s Fb profile earlier than agreeing to satisfy with them. This helps me affirm they’re actual. You possibly can normally inform by taking a look at particulars like their variety of mates, photographs and when their account was created (that is listed on their profile). You may also search present on-line scams to ensure you usually are not being focused.
Sometimes I solely settle for money however I’ve additionally accepted Venmo if now we have mutual mates or the customer seems to be a reliable individual. Typically I exploit this feature if the customer needs to pay me upfront, and I’ll go away the merchandise in a secure location by my storage.
Past incomes cash and selling eco-friendliness, I really like the concept of giving my undesirable gadgets a second life. Because the saying goes, “One man’s trash is one other man’s treasure.”
Photograph from New Africa/Shutterstock.com
