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I have heard so many people say, “I want to get rid of things, but I just don’t know where to begin with selling things” or “I have tried listing multiple things and nothing ever sells.” Selling a few things that I was no longer using was incredibly helpful to make a little money. Perks to using Facebook Marketplace include the extra money, no shipping (unless you choose to opt into that feature), getting rid of clutter, and how easy it is to use!
For 2021, I have set a rule for my No Spend Year that if I want to purchase something, I have to sell similar items for the money to purchase something new. This isn’t necessarily a money saving tactic for me, but more of a clutter thing for me. We have SOO much stuff filling our house. My word of the year health goal is to declutter and create a better environment. My goal at the beginning of my debt free journey was to aim for more of a minimalistic approach to life. So selling items helps with two of my major goals for 2021.
A few overall tips for selling things:
Take GREAT pictures
Taking multiple pictures from different angles in natural lighting will help you sell items! Make sure that the picture looks like the item. Also, try having a solid/plain background. Using a table or the floor is usually a safe option. I almost always take pictures on the floor. If it is a clothing item, I try to take pictures of the item hanging up and on the floor for two different views of the item. If the item has any flaws, I always try to photograph those up close and put it in the description. Another tip is to photograph the item in use. So if it is a coffee maker, take a picture of it on the kitchen counter. If it is wall decor, take a picture of it hanging on a wall.
Detailed Descriptions
Make sure your buyers don’t need to ask 100 questions about the item. I try to include measurements, sizes, colors, brands, flaws, condition (hardly used, great condition, or preloved). If I notice that I am getting a question often, I try to edit the post to include that piece of information. I included an example of a listing below and a copy and paste script for you to use! Once you list one thing, you can copy that description and just change it to the specific item.
List in multiple places
I mention this in a couple of other places in this post, but I can not stress enough to join multiple groups or list on Mercari/Poshmark as well as Facebook is the best way to optimize your sales. You never know where the sale will come from! Don’t forget that copy and paste is your friend! I will list on one site from my phone and then copy and paste the item across a few other sites. Just don’t forget to delete the item from all sites when it sells.
Know if your item is worth selling
Some things aren’t worth listing. If I can’t sell it for $5 or more, I give it away because it really isn’t worth the time to try to sell for just a few bucks. There are plenty of items that I just list on our local free page because I want it gone, but I don’t feel like it’s actually worth selling. Joining a free group or listing the item for free on sales pages is a great way to get rid of stuff quickly.
Check comparison sales
Sold comps can be your friend to see how to price your item. I check eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari and use the SOLD filter to see what that item has sold for in the past. I price items just a few dollars higher than the average comps so there is room for offers and deals!
Renew/Relist is your friend, but know when to give in.
Don’t hang onto an item for a year in an attempt to make $5. I am totally guilty of this. If something doesn’t sell, I try to relist it every 2-3 weeks. If it doesn’t sell after relisting it 2 times (and lowering the price a little bit), it goes into the donate pile or listed on the free sites.
Have a place for your listed items in your home
Having one small pile of stuff in the corner of your house can save you from running all over the house looking for it when it sells. I have a metal shelf in the basement that stores all of my Poshmark clothes and the top shelf is specifically designated for other sales items.
Facebook Marketplace Selling Tips
Join multiple local Facebook sale pages
Most areas have at least two or more local pages for selling things. On Facebook, I would just search (Town/City/Neighborhood), State For Sale. Don’t do what I did. Make sure that the page is actually in your state if you live in a commonly named town!
I suggest joining at least 2 or more sales pages as well as a free/buy nothing page if there is one of those in your area. If something doesn’t sell after a few weeks, I list it on my Free/Buy Nothing Facebook page with the same description (except the price). That way you don’t have a pile of stuff waiting years to be donated. Anyone else that drives around forever with bags of clothes to donate?
Group like items together
Instead of listing one cheap item, if you have 3 items that are similar in theme or size, list them all together. This could be shirts, coffee mugs, books, or whatever you have. Usually, when I list multiple items, I tell people whether I am willing to separate the items or prefer to sell them all together.
Ideal Weather
This tip is not always a must, but I have noticed that things move a lot better when listed on days that people want to leave the house. So if there are 15 feet of snow, people are more than likely not going to want to come to get the item. It is more just something to keep in mind than a hard-fast rule. This does not mean to hang on to everything until the perfect day, but rather to just not get your hopes up on a snowy/rainy day.
Porch Pick Up
I ALWAYS do porch pick up. I never meet people. When you list your item, say “Porch Pickup Only. Located Near XX and XX Street.” I never give the address until someone has confirmed a time that they are coming to get it. For me, it serves as a safety thing, but it is also a time issue. I don’t want to drive across town and spend my time and gas for $5 for an item (especially with a small child)
I have a little plastic basket with a pencil bag in it. When they tell me they are on their way, I put the item in the basket and put it on my front porch. I just let the buyer know that the item is on my porch and there is a little bag to put cash in if that is their payment choice. I have never had someone not pay!
Discount to Move Items
If someone is interested, I try to offer a few dollars off the item if they can come to get it that day. It is a great incentive for people to make it work to get it. If they don’t come to get it after 24 hours, the chances of them coming to get it is reduced significantly. If an item is $12, I will offer them $10 if they come to get it. This is also something I try to remember when I am pricing items. If they make me a lower offer, I usually say “Yes, if you can get it today/tomorrow” depending on the time of day that they message.
No holds/First Come First Serve.
This means the first person who comes to get it, gets it. I don’t hold the item until next Friday if there are other people in line. I am polite about it and tell people that I have someone else willing to come to get it right away. It may seem redundant to post both of them, but I have found that saying both of them makes it just a little more clear that I don’t want to hold this item forever. If I don’t have anyone in line for it, I will just tell that person to check back in on that day to see if I still have the item.
OBO/ Price Firm
“Or Best Offer” lets interested people know that you are willing to wiggle on the price to move the item. “Price Firm” allows you to say you won’t take less on the item. These are great for telling people whether or not they can make an offer on an item.
Offer multiple payment options
Offering multiple payment options if you have them available allows people to pay without going to the ATM for cash. If someone can pay through another source, they are more likely to get it since they don’t have to have cash. I say, “Cash, PayPal, Venmo, or Facebook Pay available for contactless pickup” If you are willing to ship, there is an option on Facebook for that now as well.
Renew/Relist
I renew the post as often as it will let me. Renewing the post helps bump your post to the top again. I just try to check my marketplace once a day to see if any posts need to be renewed. Download and use the printable below to make sure that you aren’t just letting an item sit for sale forever.
What to Post for Selling on Facebook Marketplace
Here is a Facebook Marketplace sample description
Blue and Yellow Winter coat for 12-month-old boy. Brand new condition. Too big for my son this year and will likely be too small next year. Size 12 MO. $5 OBO
Pick up near 1st and Jane Doe Street (Specific Neighborhood). Can take cash, PayPal, Venmo, or FB pay for contactless pickup. No holds. First come first serve.
Here is a copy and paste script to use
Item Title with color. Condition. Size or Measurements. $$$ OBO
Porch Pick up Near XX and XX Street (Neighborhood Name). Can take cash, PayPal, Venmo, or fb pay for contactless pickup. No holds. First come first serve.
Other Sites than Facebook Marketplace
I will have another blog post coming about selling on Poshmark and Mercari tips, but a lot of the same tips apply to those sites as well.
If you want to get started with Poshmark (primarily for clothes) use my code “ELYLYONS”. If you would be so kind to use it, we both get a little bonus when you start using Poshmark.
I also love Mercari. Mercari is great because it is way more than just clothes. There is pretty much any item that you can think of on Mercari. If you use my referral link right here, we both get a little bonus!
I know a lot of people also have success with Ebay and OfferUp, but I haven’t ventured into working on those sites, so I can only speak from my own experience.
Get to Listing on Facebook!
I will say that some cities or neighborhoods just have some better luck with different items. One of the number one things to remember is that it won’t sell if you don’t list it. If it is sitting in the corner of your house untouched, but unlisted, you aren’t going to move that item.
Wishing you the best of luck with selling items!
Click here to download my “Sell Your Stuff Tracker” to help you get started with listing items for sale!
I would love to know, what is the best thing that you have sold to help pay off debt and meet your savings goals?
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