Selling preloved pieces does two things for you. First, it gets an item you no longer have a need for out of your home. Second, selling the item puts some money back in your pocket. It can be confusing to begin selling your items. We have some tips to help you sell your preloved pieces.
eBay
eBay is probably one of the most well-known online auction sites. It’s so popular, and this popularity means that you have instant access to a massive number of potential buyers. Be aware that there is a fee when you sell something on eBay – 12.8% of the sale price. There is also a small fee for the listing if you’ve listed over 1,000 items per month.
How To Sell On eBay
- The first step is to create a profile. You can include a photo, and a short blurb.
- Make sure all your listings have the appropriate information included. If you’re selling clothing, make sure to include the size, material, and condition of the piece. Include keywords to help buyers find your item.
- Check when the site is busiest, and time your listings to end during the busy periods. Evenings are often busy when people have more time to look, so try to have auctions which end then.
- Think about setting a reserve price. The lowest reserve on eBay is £50, and eBay charges 4% of the reserve, so only do this for items that are going to give you a substantial profit.
- Make sure that you have a PayPal account so you can get paid for your items. PayPal also gives you as the seller, and the buyer more protections and comebacks if something goes wrong with the transaction.
Depop
Depop is an auction site for second-hand clothing that is popular with a younger audience. As with eBay there is a fee on your sales. Depop charges 10% for sales made through the Buy button.
How To Sell On Depop
- Create an account, and include a short blurb, and a profile picture.
- Take lots of high-quality photos. Make sure that your photos are in good lighting and take close-ups of any interesting details. You might also want to include photos of you wearing the item, as this lets buyers see the fit.
- Make sure that your listing has relevant hashtags.
- Buyers can message you, and will probably want to haggle, so be sure that you know exactly how low you’re willing to go.
- Make sure you have a PayPal account so you can take payments for your sales.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace gives you access to buyers closer to home. It also means that you can avoid the hassle of posting an item as you can arrange for the buyer to collect or meet them somewhere. It’s also free to post an ad, and you can accept cash payments in person.
How To Sell On Facebook Marketplace
- You will need a Facebook account to post on Facebook marketplace, but you don’t need any kind of special account.
- Make sure you have hashtags on your ad. Be as specific as possible, include materials, or brand names in the hashtags.
- Take good quality pictures and be honest about the condition of the item.
- Be prepared for a face-to-face exchange and take steps to make sure that you feel comfortable. This could mean making sure that you’re never alone during a transaction, or completing the exchange in a public place.
Vinted
Vinted is another popular clothing sales platform. It doesn’t have any fees for sellers.
How To Sell On Vinted
- You need a Google account, or a Facebook account to create a Vinted account.
- Use hashtags to make your listings easier for buyers to find.
- You won’t need a PayPal account, as Vinted has its own payment system.
General Tips
- Take lots of pictures of your pieces. Upload the best photo first and use it as the thumbnail.
- Build a good reputation. eBay, Vinted and Depop all track your reputation as a seller, so ask your buyers to leave feedback.
- Keep buyers updated on where the item is, and make sure that you give accurate descriptions, and quick postage.
- Research similar items to decide on a price point. Make sure you know how much postage will be as well and include this in the price.
