We all have a stash of things that we don’t use anymore but have too much value to give or throw away. Garage sales can be a lot of work, and physical stores only want to pay pennies on the dollar.
Fortunately, it has never been easier to sell stuff online. There are tons of websites looking to attract buyers and sellers by making the process as simple and straightforward as possible.
If you have a box, closet, or basement full of old stuff, it might be time to dust it off and sell it online. This article will help show you how!
Benefits of Selling Online
People sell things online for all sorts of reasons. Many do it to make extra money, some just want to declutter, and others buy stuff for the sole purpose of reselling for a profit.
No matter which category you fall in, here are some benefits you enjoy when reselling products online:
Sustainability
When you break it down, a lot of stuff sold online doesn’t seem worth the hassle. Sometimes the shipping fees are more than the item itself! So why bother?
For many, throwing away a perfectly usable product seems like a waste, especially knowing it will sit in a landfill for decades. So sure, it might be easier to toss that old DVD in the garbage and save yourself the trouble, but selling it online means one less object in the landfill. It also doesn’t hurt that someone might enjoy it, plus you’ll make a few bucks for your effort.
Convenience
Depending on what you’re trying to sell, the online route can be much easier. Just snap a picture, set a sale price, and take it to the post office.
Frequent sellers can print their own shipping labels and leave purchased items in their mailbox for delivery. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Better Reach
While there are some advantages to selling locally, there are billions of people shopping online. For rare collectibles or niche items, the chances of finding a buyer willing to pay a fair price in your local area can be slim.
Online, people will buy nearly anything for the right price. The trick is using the right platform or marketplace to connect with the right online buyers.
Online Selling Sites for Nearly Anything
Using the right website to sell items online can mean the difference between earning a good profit or making a sale at all. Marketplaces catered toward specific product categories can simplify the process if you want to focus on one type of item, but that isn’t always an option.
Many product categories don’t have dedicated marketplaces, but you can still move them to popular platforms where people will buy practically anything. Below are the best websites for turning your old stuff into cash.
If you aren’t selling something from a popular category like clothes or video games, these marketplaces are so vast that they deal in just about everything. Whether you’re selling a car or a keychain, the original art of mass-produced media, you can sell it on one of these platforms:
1. Amazon
Amazon has evolved from a small secondhand book-selling operation to account for over a third of the entire ecommerce industry. It is a place where individuals, businesses, and Amazon itself peddle products of all shapes and sizes to customers all over the world. While you will be up against a lot of competition with new and used alternatives and have to pay substantial selling fees, you will also be selling to a massive audience of active users.
2. eBay
eBay has also changed from its early days as an online auction platform. While that is still very much an option, many sellers, including full-fledged online businesses, simply use the site to make traditional sales. There are over a billion products listed at any time on eBay, selling just about anything you can think of.
3. Etsy
Though Etsy has guidelines for what can be sold on its marketplace, it is an excellent option for unique, handmade items. Whether you’re an artist, crafter, or just looking to sell a vintage treasure, Etsy is designed for more eclectic audiences.
4. Your Own Site
Selling products on your own website gives you the most control over your brand, customer experience and profit margins. You can pretty much sell anything on your Shopify Site. You can connect your ecommerce platform to any major sales channel to increase sales.
Best Places To Sell Locally
If you’re looking to make a quick sale or avoid the cost and hassle of shipping, selling locally may be the way to go. These are the most popular websites for finding local buyers; just be sure to think about safety when meeting strangers on the internet. Consider using your local police station or another public place as the meetup location.
5. Craigslist
Though Craigslist started charging a product listing fee for different post types, it is still a popular option for local classifieds. You can sell just about anything on Craigslist, and there are even categories for posting about job openings and community events.
6. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is the new kid on the block, but by leveraging the popularity of the Facebook app, it is quickly becoming a popular choice for many. Simply upload a picture, item description, and general location for a product to make a deal with interested buyers in your area. You can also arrange for shipping. Everything is easily coordinated via Facebook Messenger.
7. Nextdoor
Nextdoor started as a place for people to share news and information with their local community. It wasn’t long before people started using it to advertise garage sales and post things for sale. This is an excellent option for meeting local buyers and is generally a safer community than some of the broader options.
8. OfferUp
OfferUp is essentially a more modern Craigslist, facilitating local sales with the help of a mobile app and user ratings. If you’re put off by the rough edges of the Craigslist website, or stories of rough individuals abusing it, OfferUp may be a better option for getting rid of your unwanted stuff.
Websites to Sell Games and Electronics
The pre-owned tech and video game market is a massive category online. Many people like to sell games after they’ve played through them, and collectors will pay good money for old and rare games. While many people buy and sell games on websites like Amazon and eBay, here are some alternatives that specifically cater to gamers and techies:
9. Decluttr
Decluttr sets itself apart with its easy-to-use app and simple process. For items with barcodes, like video games and DVD cases, you can simply scan the barcode for an immediate valuation. For electronics like Android smartphones and video game consoles, merely search the brand and product number, select the item’s condition, and you’ll get an offer.
Decluttr will send you a prepaid shipping label; just put the items you are selling in a box, print the label out, and take it to a UPS drop-off. Simple!
10. Gameflip
Gameflip is a straightforward marketplace that connects buyers and sellers. They primarily focus on used games and digital products, including game keys, in-game assets, and even NFTs.
You have control over making your posting and setting your selling price. When an interested buyer finds you, you ship them the product to complete the transaction. Gameflip takes a cut, and you keep the rest.
11. Gazelle
Gazelle is similar to Decluttr, though they focus more on gadgets like iPhones, laptops, tablets, and other Apple devices. Simply tell them what you have and its condition, and they’ll make you an offer. Send the item in for inspection, and then you will receive your payment.
They will also clear your personal data off of devices you send, so you don’t have to worry about whoever purchases your pre-owned cell phone.
Websites to Sell Clothes Online
There are a ton of great options for selling clothes. Depending on the brands you want to sell and whether you want to manage your own listings, some websites are better than others.
The secondhand apparel market continues to grow, as does thrifting. Here are our favorites:
12. Poshmark
Poshmark aims to be a social platform for clothing sales. Sellers have a wardrobe that app users can follow, and shoppers can comment and ask questions about items for sale. Shipping is easy: buyers pay a fixed cost for each item of up to five pounds, and sellers get an automatic label printed out and sent to their email addresses.
Poshmark also has four themed shopping events per day called parties, where sellers share relevant merchandise with their fans. You can also offer deals on listings, which the sellers can accept or reject. Sellers can also give discounts or lower shipping costs to shoppers who have liked their items in the past.
13. Swap.com
Swap.com markets itself as a community of thrifters. Instead of paying full price for new clothes, you can get great deals on gently-used pieces from their shop.
This is a good option for lower-value clothing, as their focus is affordability and keeping items out of landfills. If you’ve got some unwanted clothing items taking up room in your closet, consider selling them to Swap for some quick cash.
14. ThredUP
ThredUP is one of the best online sites for people who want to make money selling their old clothes. They take care of everything for you, including listing your items. This store is popular with mid-range brands like GAP and J.Crew.
15. Tradesy (Vestiaire Collective)
Tradesy is an online store that sells authenticated designer brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Rolex. Unlike other high-end resellers, Tradesy allows you to set your own prices, and you get to keep 80% of that amount.
They inspect these high-end items for authenticity and can help you with pricing and images. This is a good option for those who don’t mind managing their own items for sale, with the advantages of a ritzy customer base.
16. DePop
Depop is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell clothing items. Users can browse through thousands of products and find new styles they love. You can also create your own store pages and start selling your favorite clothes. Depop offers a unique shopping experience that combines the best features of eBay and Facebook.
17. Mercari
Mercari is a C2C online shopping platform where users can buy almost anything. Merchants offer a wide selection of items, including electronics, clothing, home decor, toys, books, and much more.
18. Rebag
Rebag is another website that authenticates items to remove knock-off products. They also have the Claire AI, which can instantly tell you the value of a piece based on a photo and basic information. Use this to see what an item might sell for, so you can decide whether to send it in. This is one of the best options for high-end clothing and accessories, with an immediate payout or consignment option.
19. Vinted
Vinted is a mobile marketplace where sellers don’t pay fees on their used clothes. That might sound too good to be true, especially when you consider you get to set your own prices. When an item sells, you receive a prepaid label for easy shipping and are paid once the package is received.
20. ASOS Marketplace
ASOS is a global online fashion retailer offering high-quality clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. They offer thousands of brands, including leading designers such as Burberry, Paul Smith, Kate Spade, and Louis Vuitton. Their mission is to provide customers with access to great styles at affordable prices.
21. The RealReal
The RealReal is an excellent place to sell your high-end goods because they have experts who check every item before listing it. They ensure no fakes are listed, so you can get top dollar for your stuff.
22. Style Alert
Style Alert offers a personal stylist service paired with gently used designer goods. They take in any brand listed on their site. Once you’ve accepted their offer, they’ll help you ship your items to them and pay you quickly.
It is worth noting that Style Alert only accepts specific adult clothing items from certain brands: no children’s clothing, jewelry, or watches.
How to Sell Stuff Online
While choosing the right website or marketplace to sell your stuff makes a difference, there are other factors that can affect your success and profitability. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t as you start making online sales and padding your bank merchant account, but here are some things you should know before you get started:
Take High-Quality Pics
Anyone in ecommerce can tell you how important pictures are to make a quick buck. The same goes for you!
Especially when it comes to pre-owned products, buyers want to see exactly what they’re getting before sending you their money. Condition is important, as is proof that you actually have what you claim and aren’t another scammer. High-quality photos can even earn higher prices!
Write a Captivating and Informative Product Description
A helpful product description can not only help you land a sale but might even help shoppers find you when typing in search terms. Be sure to include relevant information like brand, year, and other descriptors they might be searching for.
You should also describe exactly what the item is, along with any disclaimers or selling points about quality, condition, age, and functionality. Be honest and thorough if you want to be successful.
Research Other Successful Listings
If you’re wondering why other merchants are selling more than you on these platforms, go and take a look! Try to figure out what they’re doing better than you, whether that be better product photos, more competitive prices, or they’re just more established.
Chances are you’ll have competition selling the same or similar products, so you need to find a way to stand out and encourage shoppers to pick your listing. Research the competition and find a way to do better!
FAQs
Become an Entrepreneur Reselling
Many people have found online selling to be a fun side hustle since it’s a great way to earn extra cash. Whether you’re decluttering, raising funds, or thrifting and reselling, you can make a lot of money on C2C marketplaces.
In fact, some have found the industry so profitable and exciting that they go on to start their own business. Independent boutiques, video game small businesses, and YouTubers who focus on thrifting and flipping are just a few examples.
Fees commonly range from a low flat fate of a few dollars to as high as 30%, but if you can still find a margin for profit, you might find it easier to start selling stuff online than stop!
