This year we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home and many people will have taken the opportunity to clear out their wardrobes, garages, attics, sheds and overpacked drawers. Research from eBay found that homeowners have an average of £2600 in unwanted items stored away, and half of Brits throw away items instead of selling them for cash. So, whether its clothes, toys or electronics, here are some tips on selling your unwanted goods
Clothing and accessories
Brits made more than £430m from selling their unwanted clothing during the first lockdown, according to research carried out by the wardrobe retailer, Spaceslide. And clothing still to be sold could earn an additional £558m, bringing the total to almost one billion pounds. But it’s also estimated that the usable clothing that was binned during the first lockdown could have made Brits £958m if they had sold it online instead. The calculations follow Spaceslide’s research into the clothing, shoes and accessories that sell for the highest amount on average on eBay. Trainers were the biggest money-maker for both men and women, followed by jeans for men and coats for women. So, if you’ve got items sitting around in your wardrobe that never get worn, now could be the time to sell.
Depop and eBay are good platforms for selling unwanted clothes. Follow these top tips on selling clothes and accessories online from experts at saveonenergy.com
Offer discounts
Try to offer a discount as research carried out by thredUP, a fashion resale website, revealed that 94 per cent of female shoppers rarely buy clothing that isn’t on sale.
Take great photos
Make pictures as clear and detailed as possible. A picture with you wearing the clothes, so potential buyers can get a feel for how it looks on the body, is ideal.
Look at what’s trending
In short ‘young’ designer labels can make you the most money. Think Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Tory Burch.
Honesty is the best policy
Unforeseen faults will make you an unreliable seller and you could risk losing your account due to disgruntled customers. Be candid about wear and tear.
Sell activewear
Gym/sportswear is one of the fastest growing categories of clothing, due to the growing demand for fashionable fitness attire. Don’t overlook it!
Upload items at the right time
Most second-hand shoppers are night owls and shop between 9pm and 10pm, according to the research carried out by thredUP.
Toys
According to eBay figures, the average family home contains 35 unwanted toys – worth a collective £171m across the UK.
Research the value
Vintage, or rare and collectable toys can be big-money makers. So do your research and know the value of what you are selling. If you think you’ve got something special on your hands, there are lots specialist collector websites and toy auctions where you might get the best price. It’s also worth looking for forums dedicated to the type of toys you’re selling, where you might find a keen buyer.
While it won’t make you a fortune, big brands like Disney also sell well and it might we worth thinking about when the next film or animation in a series is being release. For example, an upcoming superhero movie might lead to children asking their parents for those toys. So, consider whether it’s worth timing the sale of certain items. Also, research from eBay revealed that Children's old toy collections - from Polly Pocket to Barbie and Sylvanian Families sets - are still worth a penny or two, with each item generating an average selling price of £15.80.
Clean them carefully
If the toys have been well loved, it might be time to get the toothbrush, a clean paintbrush, Q-tips, a small amount of water to give them a good clean. Photograph in good lighting and on a white background and don’t overlook Instagram as a selling platform.
Be specific
Wherever you’re selling the item, make sure you clearly describe it in the listing. Rather than listing it as a ‘toy train’ give the brand, colour and condition. When selling online think keywords. It’s important to second guess what potential buyers might type in to find your item. And go for longer online auctions to give people time to see and bid.
Make sure you want to sell
Some things will have sentimental value. An item might bring back so many happy memories that you’re unsure if you want to sell it at all. Think carefully, so you don’t later regret your decision. But rather than keeping lots of your child’s old toys, maybe limit yourself to a small box of keepsakes.
Electronics
Don’t forget the kitchen
It might not be the first room in the house you think of when doing a clearout. But if you have a cake mixer or a bread maker that’s sitting in the back of a cupboard and getting no use, sell it online, as eBay research shows these goods could bag you £59.
Retro value
Buyers love a bit of nostalgia, according to eBay research which found VCR players can earn you £85 and a cassette player can be sold for up to £30.
Selling platforms: Alongside eBay, try musicMagpie, Shpock and Preloved
Other
If it’s books, CDs, DVDs or games you’re looking to get rid of, Ziffit could be a better option than Amazon and eBay, all you have to do is scan the barcode on your items using the app, complete the trade, parcel your items and drop them off at a designated pick up point. Once the items get to their depot, they will check them over and send you payment via bank transfer, Paypal or cheque. It might only be a small payment. But every little counts!
Also, don’t forget to clear out the shed. Outdoor items such as tents and bicycles that your children might have outgrown could fetch on average £47 and £69 respectively, according to eBay research.
Things to Remember
Set a target: Having a figure in your head of how much you hope to earn from your home clearout and an idea of what you plan to spend that extra money on will help keep you motivated to put the effort into selling and getting the best price for your items.
Postage: Factor in postage costs and make sure to add this to the listing. To get a clearer idea of how much it’s likely to cost you to post an item, check Royal Mail’s Price Finder. Also remember, sometimes selling in bundles might make better use of your time than selling items individually. This will save trips to the post office too.
Take care: Exercise caution when messaging strangers and arranging pick-ups/drop offs of items and money. If you live alone, it might be worth having a friend or family member with you at the arranged time, so you aren’t by yourself when a buyer arrives.