We all have boxes in our attics, closets or basements with items we once loved but have been sitting untouched for years. If you want to sell any of these items online here are 10 tips on how to sell them the smartest way for the highest price in your pocket.
Using on-line services like eBay and Craigslist you can quickly convert unwanted items into cash in your pocket. And you might even find those long lost items while creating more room for living.
10 PERCENT OFF COUPON
Real Value Tip 1. Make Sure You Know Exactly What You Are Selling.
When selling something it is very important that you know as much about it as possible. If you don't know what it is say so in the description and ask the viewers to tell you more about it. The more you know the easier it is for you to describe it and to maximize the final sales price. Be honest and thorough.
Real Value Tip 2. Know What The Item Is Worth & Decide What Is The Lowest Price You Will Accept.
There are a number of free resources to determine the value of your items. There are forums, blogs and on-line authorities. You can also check what similar items have sold for recently on sites like eBay. You also have to decide what the lowest price you are willing to accept for the item. If a tea set similar to the one you inherited from your grandmother sells for 0 on eBay but you won't sell yours for less than 0 don't bother listing it for sale and keep it safe to hand down to your children or grandchildren.
Real Value Tip 3. Check The Current Listings & Recent Sales History.
Before listing an item for sale on Craigslist or eBay it's a good idea to check out the current competition. If you are selling an old Pentax film camera and there are already a dozen similar ones for sale at prices below what you want, you might consider holding off or selling it on another site with less competition. You can also check out how many similar items sold on that site in the last 30 days and what the sales price range was. The more you know the better you are prepared.
Real Value Tip 4. Decide On The Best Sales Site For Your Item.
I find some items make more sense to sell on eBay and others on the local Craigslist or other local on-line sites. In general terms if it is difficult, large and heavy or very expensive to ship, like large furniture, I prefer the local ads. If it is small enough to easily ship and has a higher value, like a camera, book or collectible trading cards, I prefer the national and international services like eBay.
Real Value Tip 5.Take Good, Sharp & Informative Photos.
The better your photos of the item(s) for sale the higher the bidders are comfortable bidding. A picture is worth a thousand words. And, since the potential buyers usually can't hold and study the item in their hands, they want lots of sharp, well lit photos of as many sides of the item as possible.
Real Value Tip 6. Write Up An Accurate, Complete & Interesting Description.
The better you describe the item the more people you are likely to attract and interest. What would you find more interesting: "For Sale: used 35mm camera with lens. Have not used in years." or "For Sale: Mint condition 35mm Canon EOS Rebel camera with 50mm f1.8 lens, UV filter, lens cap, strap and Canon automatic flash." Be thorough, accurate and informative. It's better to write too much than not enough and use lots of description words in the title and the description.
Real Value Tip 7. Decide When To List & For How Long.
Craigslist and some of the local sites determine how long your ad runs, but you decide when to list it. Several of us at Real Value have found the best results listing the items on weekends as more people have time to scan the on-line ads, and we prefer to list them in the afternoon or early evening when the traffic is highest. When it comes to eBay listings, the same afternoon and early evening weekends seem to work best. And we usually go with the automatic 7 day period on eBay as we have not found the extra cost of longer listing time to be worth it.
Real Value Tip 8. Answer All Questions Promptly & Politely.
It should go without saying, but we will remind you that most people prefer to deal with others who are polite and honest. Answer promptly, which means check your listing and emails several times a day. And use terms like "Thank you" and "I appreciate your asking that" often.
Real Value Tip 9. Beware Of Scams & Worse.
Most people are honest and ethical, but not all. As my grandmother used to say "If it looks to good to be true....." for a reason. Keep your wits about you. Do not release anything until you are paid in full with cash or cleared funds. Also be careful when meeting a stranger and make sure to do the transaction in a public place and don't go alone...just in case. Remember something else our grandparents used to say "It's better to be safe than sorry."
Real Value Tip 10. Arrange Shipping Or Pick Up Properly.
Once you have been paid you need to hold up your end of the bargain too. Arrange for shipping or a safe pick up at the earliest possible time. Good luck with your on-line sales and just remember to do your homework first, and to be smart and safe always.
10 Smart & Easy Tips to Sell Online - Get Real Value Turning Unwanted Items Into Cash 10 PERCENT OFF COUPON