You’ve probably received or bought a lot of new stuff over the holidays and it’s probably time to get rid of the old ones. It’s also that time of the year when you need to declutter your home and get organized for the New Year. But instead of throwing out your pre-loved clothes and shoes or let your used gadgets, appliances or furniture collect dust, why not turn them into some extra cash? And you can easily do it online.
But with so many places to sell your stuff online, it can be pretty overwhelming. Each outlet has its own advantages and disadvantages and works better for certain items. So let’s compare the three biggest e-commerce sites today to help you choose the perfect place to sell your pre-loved items.
Amazon
The e-commerce giant isn’t just a place to sell brand new items, but an online marketplace for used goods too. If you haven’t noticed, there’s a condition written on every listing – new, used, refurbished, collectible or open box. Obviously, Amazon takes a fee when you sell an item with them and fees differ from category to category.
Amazon is perfect if you have a lot of items to sell. With their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, you can just send all your stuff to Amazon and they will handle the pick-up, packing, listing and shipping. Plus, they provide a customer service on your behalf. But of course, all these services come with a price; which is why it’s not ideal for really cheap items. Also, Amazon keeps on changing its rules and requirements in a way that it makes it a lot harder for individual sellers.
Another option is the Amazon Trade in Program that allows you to receive an Amazon Gift Card in exchange for hundreds of thousands of eligible items including phones, electronics, video games, books, DVDs, and CDs.
eBay
You all know what eBay is – it’s the classic online auction place that allows you to sell anything, and I mean anything. It’s still the go-to place for buyers who are looking for rare items and collectibles. But unlike Amazon, you can’t sell digital goods such as eBooks or electronic artwork on eBay. When selling your used goods, eBay takes a 10% cut of your sale which can be pretty expensive.
Craigslist
This is probably the most convenient marketplace for used goods. Unlike Amazon and eBay, you don’t have to jump through a lot of hoops on listing your item. This is the place for selling furniture or big appliances that are hard to ship because you can arrange with the buyer and have them pick it up from your house. Craigslist doesn’t take any fees nor requires shipping which makes it even more convenient. However, you have to be prepared for lowball offers and possible scammers. So you need to be careful when doing negotiations and arranging meet ups with your potential buyers.
Don’t be afraid to try and experiment with different marketplaces. Just make sure to factor in fees when listing your items to make sure that you are getting the best deal from your hard-earned pre-loved items. Reading about other sellers’ experiences on different blogs and forums is very helpful too.
