Right after University when I couldn’t get a job for a while, I started to casually sell things on Craigslist and Facebook. There were several reasons for doing this:
- earn some extra cash without being taxed
- declutter (because let’s face it, most of us accumulate and hord)
- connect with friends (on Facebook, by selling items, it was an opportunity to catch up over coffee while getting rid of stuff and getting money)
- electronics such as computers, cameras, tablets and phones quickly becomes old and obsolete. It’s best to sell them while you can and get a new one (though I’m not the type that aggressively keep up with the latest phone or anything. I’m actually a late buyer, and not into the hype and trend, so while I wont be lining up to get the latest iphone, once I move onto the next, I would sell the old one and prevent hoarding.)
Since then, I’ve sold about $4000 worth of stuff. Might not sound like a lot when you consider it’s over 10 years, but with the above benefits, it’s a plus. And I wasn’t selling anything super expensive. Sure I had a computer/cell/camera phone every 3-4 years for $100-$200, but the rest were usually in the $5-$20 range. Sure, at the beginning, I was very cautious of selling stuff to strangers, but soon it became almost a routine.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- make sure to meet in public places whenever possible. That’s not always the case, for instance, when selling furniture. In those cases, have a family member or friend be there with you
- choose a location that is convenient for you so that it won’t take time or money (like having to drive or take public transit to meet someone). There are unfortunately a lot of people who are flaky and are no-shows, So if you value your time, make sure it’s close to home and easily accessible
- take the time to take some decent photos. Buyers want to see what the product looks like in detail. If there are defects, show it in the photo and also mention it in the description. If they notice it when they see it in person, they’ll likely ask for a discount.
- write a detailed description, otherwise, you’ll have to waste time replying to email inquiries. (note that you will still get those that asks even if the information is listed)
- don’t tell your phone number until the buyer has confirmed a date and time of pick up.
- don’t think that you’ll sell your stuff right away. Some do, but others don’t. Just keep re-posting until you do.
Unlike me, if you have a yard, it’s great to do a garage sale every year. I’ve had the opportunity to join a group of friends who hosts a yard sale yearly since I live in an apartment. This is a great place to sell things are more in the knick knack sections, or too low (in price) to sell on Craigslist. It’s again, also a nice way to enjoy the sun and chit chat with your friends. You might also get to know the neighbours in that area as well. Also, having more than one person sell at the yard sale means more stuff to sell. It’s also helpful if there are more people to help assist anyone (like in a store).
There are of course many other ways to sell these days, through eBay or Letgo. Just keep in mind that some services take a cut.
Anything that’s not sold or can’t be sold, you can always donate them at your local thrift store to keep as much as possible out of the landfill.
