How to Sell Your Stuff Online Before You Move
Written by: StorageUnits.com Editorial Team - Updated: Dec 18, 2024
Selling unwanted items online can help you declutter and earn extra cash before moving. Whether you're downsizing, moving far away, or just want a clean slate, there's no reason to drag along items you won’t miss. Read on to learn how to price items, create eye-catching listings, and choose the right selling platform.
Inventory Your Items
While packing for your move, set aside unwanted items and inventory what you plan to sell. Extra dishes, unused school supplies, clothing, furniture — it all has a potential new owner somewhere. Once you establish your inventory, you can choose the most suitable marketplace and create listings.
Research Pricing
Explore auction sites and other listings to understand the going rate for items you’re selling. Consider how long it takes for things to sell. If you’re in a time crunch, offering lower prices than other sellers will help your items move faster.
For high-value items and antiques, consider approaching a physical auction house. Work with a reputable company to sell it, and don’t worry about the timing. Most auction houses will store the item until the sale date.
Take High-Quality Photographs
When listing items yourself, be as transparent as possible. Take multiple, high-quality pictures of the actual item for sale. Be sure to:
- Highlight any damage, such as small stains or scuffs
- Capture items in a real-world setting
- Use a single-colored background for smaller items
- Display clothing on a white sheet or mannequin
Find the Best Selling Platforms
There are many types of online marketplaces to choose from, including:
- Local selling sites: Avoid paying to ship heavy items like furniture by selling locally on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Letgo, Nextdoor, OfferUp, or 5miles. You can efficiently list items with a few photos, communicate with interested buyers, and arrange a place to meet and make the exchange.
- Wide-reaching sites: For small items, sites like Amazon or eBay allow you to reach a broad marketplace. You can set items at a specific price or list an item for auction to spark a bidding war.
- Buyback platforms: Buyback sites like BookScouter and Decluttr let you skip the hassle of finding a buyer. You simply list the items you have for sale, and they make you an offer. You then ship the item to them, and once they receive it, you get paid.
- Niche marketplaces: For clothing, makeup, or other beauty products, consider sites like Poshmark, The Luxury Closet, or Vinted. These online marketplaces let you list your items to users worldwide and allow direct negotiations. Buyers can make you an offer, and you can say yes, counter, or decline.
When selecting a platform, consider the most popular sites in your area and the type of products you want to sell.
Craft Compelling Descriptions
No matter where you’re selling your item, the description is vital to attracting potential buyers. Avoid using negative language; instead, reframe damages into positive opportunities for improvements or customization. If you’re listing clothing, mention places where they might wear it or accessories that work well. By humanizing the listing, you’re more likely to encourage sales.