How to make money reselling your stuff

Want to make money while getting rid of your stuff? 

Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in “stuff”?  

Maybe that’s a first world problem, but most people who read this can probably relate. I remember actually telling my husband that I wouldn’t mind if our house burnt down and we had to start over with nothing as long as we were all ok.  That way, I could make sure not to collect so much clutter and stuff we really didn’t need. It would be easy (or so I thought at the time), to just become “minimals” and live a minimalist lifestyle. Well all this sounds terrific, but with our current situation, it’s just not that practical.  

Here are some ways that can help you get rid of stuff, and make money at the same time. – Which I think Iis super practical for any lifestyle! 

What kinds of things can I sell? 

• Vintage/Antique

Check out all your older stuff, maybe things that have been sitting around for 10 or more years… Anything could be worth something! Think clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, (as long as they are in good shape). Old electronics are especially good! Game-boy, nintendo, China, glassware, etc.

• Collectibles

Spoons, cards, stamps, posters, mugs, hats, signs, coins,… anything that someone could collect could be valuable. Even modern stuff…think Disney pins, dvds, magnets, barbies, puzzles, etc.

• Toys

The toys that sell the best are the vintage ones… but sometimes you can find really great deals on modern toys and resell them for profit. Or just sell the ones your kids don’t play with anymore., You can still make money from them.  Check out what’s popular and what’s old enough to make money from. I’m thinking my mother-in-law’s toy closet would be worth a fortune! Toys from the 70’s-80’s are easy to profit from. Some older games are worth a TON!

• Modern

Do you have some modern clothes that you don’t wear, or maybe some toys your kids don’t play with? Modern electronics that are just collecting dust…. Anything like that can be sold for $$! In the town where I live, there is a large community consignment sale that anyone can sell stuff at.  I sold a ton of our “stuff” that we no longer used, needed, or wanted. I made almost $500 from that sale alone. 

• Name Brand/luxury

This one might seem obvious to some, but others might be clueless here.  What are some well-known name brands that are usually more expensive? Guess, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Hunter boots, Frye, Lucky, Sperry, SIlver, Ray-bans, Adidas, these are all clothing/accessories but other things from brands like Canon, Apple, Sony, Lego, Tiffany’s, and ray dunn also sell really well. 

• High quality

What do you think is high quality? I think leather items like boots, jackets, and purses are great resellers. Cashmere things like sweaters, hats, scarves and gloves.  Linen, wool, high quality textiles and rugs. If it was expensive originally, it will probably be worth something. 

• Electronics

Most electronics will sell. Vintage or modern. Some will even sell just for the parts. Go gather up those old ipods, and VHS movies and even better if you have a VHS player!  Old or new electronics of any kind will most likely sell. You just have to make sure you do your research to know how to price it and what others are going for. 

How can I find out the value of my stuff? 

Do your research. Find out what similar things are already selling for online.  The easiest thing to do is just to google it. Or if you already know which platform you will use to sell it on, check prices on there and set your price comparatively. Occasionally you’ll come across something rare and unique where you won’t be able to compare it to anything.  In that case, I generally try to find the next closest thing and use that as a guide. For example, I found a pair of genuine leather loafer shoes that were vintage and looked brand new. I could not find the same pair online anywhere- only the same brand. So I used that brand name and some other shoes they had made as my guide. 

Where to sell your stuff? 

• Ebay

Ebay is one of the most popular and well-known sites for resellers. Each month they give you 50 free listings.. Which is pretty good. The fee comes after the item sells, then, depending on what it is and how much it was etc.. There is usually a fee, but you can count that in to your sale if you research it right and do the math.  If you want to start selling on eBay, visit my link here-http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575571596&toolid=10001&campid=5338657164&customid=sell&mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fbulksell.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FSingleList%26sellingMode%3DAddItem

• Poshmark

Poshmark is a buy and sell marketplace, similar to eBay.  They are more specifically geared toward clothing, shoes, and accessories. I have found some of my favorite pants from there. They do take a small percentage of your sale, just like eBay, but I always say that what I can make on there is better than nothing. Especially if I was just going to send the item to goodwill or something.  Join me on Poshmark, my favorite app to buy & sell fashion. Save up to 70% off top brands! For a limited time, use my code SADIEPOOCH to save $10: https://posh.mk/KXHnSt0g23

• Facebook Marketplace

This is a great way to sell locally. I have sold all kinds of things here.  Just make sure you are safe when posting your items. Don’t give your address to anyone unless they are for sure coming to pick up the item. And make sure you are not alone. Or you could meet somewhere public to do the transaction. Also, you can advertise your listings for free on your own page, in the marketplace, and into other selling groups like classified groups that you are a part of. 

• KSL/Craigslist/local pages

Same rules apply here as they did on Facebook. This is a great way to sell items because you can list your stuff for free. You can also sell larger things that you wouldn’t be able to ship, like furniture and large appliances. Just be safe and make sure you are not giving out your address to someone until they are on their way to come pick up the item. Or you can meet somewhere public like the mall, or a gas station that’s close by. 

• Etsy

“Joining and starting a shop on Etsy is free. There are three basic selling fees: a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a payment processing fee. It costs $0.20 to publish a listing to the marketplace. A listing lasts for four months or until the item is sold.”(google). So selling on Etsy is another great place to sell items.  It’s especially good for gifts, handmade, and vintage items. It’s a great place to start an online business selling digital products as well.  

What do I need to do to actually sell my stuff? 

• Take Photos

Take photos of what you are selling. Make sure they are nice, clean, and clear photos without distracting background or other distracting elements. Cell phone pics usually will suffice, as long as they are clear. Make sure you have the right lighting. Make sure there are no harsh sun spots or lines in the photos. Even light on the subject, and even light in the background is the best way to go! This can be tricky sometimes.  I usually make sure I’m in a room with a window in the daytime so there’s good natural, even lighting. 

• Create the listing

Figure out which platform you are going to list on, and start creating the listing. Add the photos, describe the item, and wallah!  It’s not as hard as it sounds. Just do it. 

• Advertise

Share your listings online and to your social media pages!  Your items are more likely to sell when advertised in more places. For example, when you post on ebay, ksl, or poshmark, it will give you the option to share on facebook or pinterest, which will give you more traffic and more views. 

Where can I find more stuff to resell? 

If you want to continue to buy and resell, be on the lookout for good deals every time you shop. Check thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, local marketplaces and flea markets. Yard/Garage sales can be really great avenues for finding more stuff to resell because you can haggle or negotiate on the prices. After you’ve been doing it for a while, you’ll start to recognize valuables more easily and become more efficient in hunting and listing your products. At the end of each season/beginning of a new one… check local stores for final clearance markdowns. Stores like Tj-Maxx have some awesome final clearance deals that you can find and resell for profit. 

Conclusion 

It can be both easy and extremely rewarding to take the time to list and sell the stuff you were just going to get rid of anyway. You can sell almost anything that still has value. Antiques, vintage, collectibles, toys, modern or popular items, name brand, electronics, and high quality stuff are all worth selling. List them on sites like eBay, Poshmark, local classifieds, and social media marketplaces. And, if you want to get serious into this business of reselling, start scouring local thrift shops and yard sales. Good Luck! And remember, getting even a little bit of money for your “stuff” is better than getting nothing! 

If you have any other tips on reselling, where to sell, or finding stuff to resell, please comment and let me know!  I’d love to hear your strategy!