How To Make Some Extra Money: Sell Your Unwanted Items
Do you ever get to the end of the month and you've found yourself broke or overdrawn? Just needing a bit of cash to do the supermarket shop or purchase a new outfit.
Or you need to put something extra away for a holiday or Christmas and you're too busy to get a second job?
Then take a look around you. You may have a garage full of old unwanted goods, or things in the attic covered in years of dust. It's even taking up space you could use for something else.
So what can you do with it? Sell it!
First of all, get out everything that belongs to you that you no longer want. Could it be useful to someone else? Check the condition, check if it's safe (especially if it's electrical) and check if it could be sold.
You may have more than you realized too. These are the things to look out for:
- Bicycles
- Musical instruments
- Furniture
- Office furniture
- Computers
- Lamps
- Kitchen appliances
- Kids toys, clothes and books
- Baby stuff
- Pictures
- Antiques / Ornaments
- Tools
- Shoes
- Vinyl / CD's / DVD's
Once you have decided what you want to sell, clean them up. Scrub rust from metal using scrunched up tin foil and a cream cleaner or detergent. Wash clothes and furniture covers in the washing machine, or steam clean with a steamer. Polish up brass and shine up shoes making things look appealing to someone new.
Next, where are you going to sell?
Online
Try free online sites where you can post a photograph of your item and add a description. Take a good photo in natural daylight and give measurements. Add to as many sites as you can, such as Gumtree, Preloved or loot. There are also auction sites like ebay where people can bid for your stuff.
Some places require you to post your goods to the buyer but some are local, where buyers come to you to collect.
The pros to online advertising are that people can see pictures of what you're selling. You can place multiple ads in many different places for a better chance of selling.
If people bid for your items you may get more money than you expected for it.
Local newspaper
Place an advert in your local newspaper in the classified section. People will search for something specific and check here for what they want. Newpapers are accessible and the chances are readers will come across your adverts without intention.
If your products sound attractive, you could have a buyer. With it being local, they may even collect.
Local shop window or customer service board
Another way of selling for nothing (although some small shops may charge a small weekly fee) is to place an ad on the board.
Make it look attractive with bright colors. Write 'For Sale' at the top of the card, then the name of the item with a brief description and price.
Put ONO (or nearest offer) and price it higher than you want for it, so when negotiations take place they will hopefully bring you down to the price you wanted in the first place.
Print off a small photograph and stick it on the card so customers can see what you're selling. It will also ward off time wasters who may want to see the stuff first.
Carboot / Garage Sales
If your local town has regular carboot sales then join in! Get yourself a pitch and set up a stall with all you bits from the attic and garage.
You can have a garage sale if you live in an area where many people walk by.
Summer Fayre's are also good for setting up a stall. Schools and local clubs tend to hold them - just check you can sell your private things without donating all the profit!
Do you have a talent to make things?
Arts and crafts / vintage / wooden bird tables / plant troughs / knitted toys / cupcakes - anything? Get selling!
Try craft fayre's, private adverts (like those mentioned) or online - such as etsy. Even set up your own website (but get it advertised!).
Happy selling!
