Want To Turn Your Clutter Into Cash?

If the answer is yes, you need to take a few minutes to check out this quick guide. It’s amazing how much money you have laying around the house that you converted back into cash in your hand! But if you hate selling stuff on Marketplace as much as I do, you will avoid it like the plague. What if I told you I could help you get your items noticed and out the door quicker? As a Declutter Expert in the Regina area, I know this can be a tricky feat. Here are a few tricks I have used that helped my clients and I bring in a little extra cash by selling stuff on Marketplace.

Know When to Sell:

Seasonal stuff is a huge seller on Marketplace, but most people sell this stuff at the wrong time, hoping to get it out of the house. Items sell best when the demand is at its peak and the top of the mind before they head to a store. Christmas decorations, sporting goods, outdoor furniture, Halloween costumes, and winter jackets all have a small window to sell, and its optimal time is 2-3 weeks before a person needs it.

Take Quality Photos:

The amount of garbage photos I see on this platform is astonishing. No wonder people have a hard time selling stuff here! First things first, take a CLEAR, well-lit photo at multiple angles. I like to take my photos against a white wall or on top of a white countertop. Show any small flaws or damage upfront to avoid surprises. This will increase the trust and interest in potential buyers. Marketplace even has an option to take a video of your item. This generates more views and will get your listing noticed more.

Accurate Descriptions:

Writing detailed and accurate descriptions would be incredibly helpful. It doesn’t need to be a novel, but key information like dimensions, colours, brands, and why this product is a good buy will likely make the potential buyer feel more inclined to take the plunge. It’s also a great idea to show buyers what the retail value is vs. buying it from you, putting a spotlight on the potential savings.

Competitive Pricing:

Just because you paid for an overpriced item and now you need to try and make up for it financially, does not mean that your stuff is worth retail price. Feel out the market by checking out what others in your area are asking for similar products. Consider factors like condition, age, and demand when setting your price. Remember the end goal is to get this stuff out of your house!

Selling in Groups:

This tactic works great when you have multiple of similar items, like 5 pairs of 2T joggers, or the collection of Judy Blume novels, or those 10 action Blue Ray DVD’s. It comes off like the buyer is getting a better deal and in turn, you’re able to get more items out of your home quicker! This saves you a tonne of time. But don’t forget to take clear photos… sometimes all we see in a photo is a tub of clothes with a few items on the top, which screams SKETCHY and RISKY to a buyer.

Sell a Little Bit at a Time:

The amount of DM’s that come in from selling items can be overwhelming and stressful. Managing ghost inquiries, hagglers, and no-shows can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are trying to sell a tonne of stuff at once. I would try and focus on selling five or less items at a time so it’s not so much of a burden.

Income Tracker:

If you are new to this, I would suggest creating a tracker for the entire year to show you how much money you are actually recouping from selling items that no longer serve you. You would be incredibly surprised what that dress in the back of the closet can fetch you or that treadmill in the basement that’s collecting dust. Things that are stuffed in a dark storage room that hasn’t seen the light in years could be your ticket to some serious cash. It will be a great motivator to continue with the process, but it’s also a WAKE-UP call on your spending habits and what you bring into the home in the first place.

Cross-Post:

Take this opportunity to become a member of your local “Used” pages in your specific area. People are more likely to purchase something from a person they know in their community so take advantage of posting your items on multiple sites. In fact, I actually tend to post my things on my personal Facebook Page as well as my Instagram account because I would much rather sell to my specific sphere!

Worst-Sellers:

• Certain things are just not a great thing to sell on Marketplace:

• valuable antiques (take to an appraiser and sell to collectors or specific shops for fair value)

• Clothing items can be difficult unless they are in pristine condition, with tags on, or a high-demanding brand (your best bet would be a consignment store, Poshmark, or donation)

• Used kitchenware does poorly unless it’s still in the box or is a small appliance that is in mint shape (donate to a non-profit)

Other places you can sell items: pawn stores, consignment stores, Poshmark, garage sales, eBay (good for collectibles), VarageSale, auction companies, antique curators.

Best-Sellers:

• Baby/Maternity gear

• Wooden toys

• Book collections

• Kid’s clothes that are in great condition that are sold in lots

• Items that are season

• Sporting goods

Remember to ensure that transactions are safe and convenient for both our you. Built-in payment options, e-transfers, meetings in a public location, or non-face-to-face scenarios are the safest.

Turning your clutter into cash is liberating and allows you to contribute to a circular economy, where goods are reused and repurposed, minimizing your environmental impact. Pre-loved items still have a lot of extra life in them and don’t belong in a landfill. Take this opportunity to recoup some costs, make less of impact on the environment, and taking in all the advantages of living in a less cluttered home.