Contents
How to Sell Your Stuff Before You Move
Moving soon? If so, it’s time to ditch some of that dead weight. After all, the more stuff you have to move, the more expensive your move is going to cost. And the more belongings you have to pack, the longer your preparations will take. So it’s in your best interest to start the pre-moving purge process as soon as possible. While some of your things will surely end up in the donation pile, other more valuable items can be sold. Thankfully, there are a slew of avenues for selling pre-owned belongings. Here’s a quick rundown on 10 such marketplaces – all of which let you get cash for your secondhand items.
LetGo
Grab your smartphone and download the LetGo app to start selling your belongings at the touch of a button. LetGo is a free mobile classifieds app that allows users to buy and sell their things locally. The advantage of using LetGo is that it’s extremely quick and easy to post a classifieds ad. Users can also chat “instantly and privately” with buyers and sellers.
eBay and eBay Valet
Whether it’s apparel and accessories or electronics and sporting goods, eBay is an easy-to-use platform for selling goods before you move. The website allows users to either list and sell items themselves, or utilize eBay Valet’s “selling experts,” who will take photos, list and ship the item for the customer. Of course, if you choose to use eBay Valet, be aware that the selling expert takes a percentage of your item’s final selling price. For more information, check here .
Gone
Need to sell your techie gadgets? Download the Gone mobile app for an easy breezy way to earn cash for secondhand electronics. Once the item has been hand-inspected and quality-certified, the company will actually sell it for you. Gone finds the best selling price for the item, handles all packing and shipping, and then pays you for your sales via PayPal, Debit Card, or Amazon gift card.
The most popular online social media networking site includes several ways to buy and sell items on Facebook . First, users can list their items on Facebook Marketplace. This marketplace will advertise your item to anyone in your vicinity. Second, you can list your item in one of Facebook’s “Buy and Sell Groups.” These individual groups have members who subscribe to updates within the group. You can find both of these tabs on the left-hand corner of Facebook’s home page.
Craigslist
Another popular avenue for selling belongings is through Craigslist . The online marketplace provides local classifieds information to every area of the country. On the website, users can post their belongings “for sale by owner.” All you have to do is click on “post to classifieds” to get started. Mark the box that best describes your item’s category (i.e. antiques, furniture, etc), and make sure to include a clear headline with the price and a high quality photo. If using Craigslist, just be aware that the website is a popular target for spammers, which means some offers may not be legitimate.
Nextdoor.com
Nextdoor is a private social network for residents of a specific neighborhood and its surrounding communities. The service is free and you can sign up online using your verified address. Once you’ve signed up, I suggest uploading a photo to personalize your profile. The online networking site allows users to list and sell items under its “Classifieds” category.
Consignment store
Looking for the easy way out? Consider consigning clothing, furniture, accessories and other items at your local consignment stores. The biggest benefit of consigning is that you won’t have to bother with listing the item online or meeting with buyers. The consigner will do the heavy lifting for you. The only downside is that you won’t be able to keep all of the sales. Most consigners take a hefty percentage of the final sale, leaving you with a small cut. However, if you plan on consigning a lot of items, the cash can quickly add up.
Trade-in programs
Whether you simply have too many electronics for your new place or you’re planning to outfit it with newer versions, you’re going to need to eliminate some of that electronic clutter. One fantastic way to go about doing this is to take advantage of various trade-in programs offered by chain stores, such as Walmart , Target , GameStop , Best Buy and Amazon . Many of these stores will offer customers the option of either getting store credit or cash in exchange for their item. Common belongings that are applicable for trade-in programs include books, video games, phones, tablets and electronic accessories.
Garage Sale
Hosting a garage sale is an excellent way to sell and get rid of your unwanted belongings. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? To host a successful garage sale, I recommend first checking your community’s rules to make sure garage sales are allowed. Make sure to choose a Saturday (weekends are always preferable for garage sales) and do plenty of advertising for your sale. Flyers and signs will do wonders to get people off the street and into your yard. Other tips for hosting a successful garage sale include: having small bills on-hand for change; being flexible with pricing; borrowing display tables from friends; and not getting overly attached to your stuff. For other advice on throwing the best garage sale ever, check here .
OfferUp
Similar to LetGo, mobile app OfferUp lets users buy and sell their belongings right from their smartphones. All you have to do is post a photo of your item, describe its condition and set a price. Once it’s listed you can chat with potential buyers on the app. OfferUp also allows users to rate buyers and sellers, so you know who you’re dealing with before chatting.
Once you’ve successfully sold your belongings, your moving load will be lighter and your wallet a tad heavier. That means, you don’t have to feel so bad about all those moving expenses. If you’re still looking for the best moving company to handle your upcoming move, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!