Are you long overdue a big clear-out? Perhaps there are certain items you don’t use but still can’t bear to part with – or a section of an attic or garage that you daren’t even look in. But what if you knew that you could sell certain items for a serious profit?
A recent study found that many of us have valuable items lying around our homes untouched. Be it rare Pokemon card collections, first edition Harry Potter books or vintage records, the average UK household could make £100s from selling forgotten items.
eBay alone has close to 160 million active users worldwide – and there are lots of other online marketplaces out there. So, if you think you might have some prized possessions to put up for sale, read practical tips below to help you cash in on your next clear-out.
Go from room to room searching for valuable items
The worst part of a clear-out is of course the manual work itself. But going from room to room and searching thoroughly is the only way you’ll uncover hidden gems that you’d forgotten about or didn’t know existed.
Valuable items could range from upscale furniture that no longer suits your property to rare video games, coins and other collectables. Avoid basing your evaluations on personal preferences – an item that means nothing to you could offer huge value to someone else.
Research what similar items are selling online
Unless you regularly shop in used markets yourself, it’s unlikely you’ll have an accurate idea of what your items are worth. Research what similar items are selling for online and be sure to check recently completed sales, not just the highest listing prices.
The study referenced above found that rare comics have a potential value of up to £8,450 – while even retro Tamagotchi toys can fetch over £100.
Sign up to multiple online selling platforms
As discussed already, there are lots of online marketplaces out there and it’s worth spreading your bets. Big names such as eBay can attract international sellers, while the likes of Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are great for making local sales.
Sign-up, listing and selling fees vary from one platform to the next, so it’s worth reading the fine print too. Be sure to budget for things like postage and packaging too, as some platforms may not release the funds until the goods have changed hands.
Think about customer service
You expect a certain level of service when you pay for new goods online – and used items should be no different.
Make sure to fill out detailed item listings – including information on faults – and consider what delivery and payment options will work best for you and your customers.
Being open, honest and flexible will help attract more potential buyers. Did you know one in three UK customers now use Buy Now Pay Later methods for clothing, for example?
Clear-outs can be rewarding in more ways than you might think. Comb through your forgotten items and see if you could earn a little extra income.