So You Have Decided To Sell Your Cast-Off; What’s Next?

You may have read my previous article and determined that selling your discards is worth the time and effort. Additionally, after reading my second article in the series, you know which app(s) or website(s) you will use. Now for the fun part of cashing in! While the steps listed below are app-agnostic, they are valuable guidelines for selling.
 
Determine the Price:

1. Avoid overpricing. We all want good money for our time and efforts. Otherwise, we would have donated. Avoid pricing your item too high, though. Conventional garage sale wisdom says to sell items at 1/10th of their original cost. I have made the mistake of asking for too much, so the post languished. Reposts may have diminishing returns. 
2. Determine the lowest amount that you would satisfy your effort. I recently sold a large camp setup and priced it to sell quickly. As the buyer began reviewing items, they asked, “Are you sure you only want X amount for all this? There’s a lot here.” For a split second, I wished I had listed a higher amount. Then, I immediately reminded myself that I had priced it to sell in an incredibly brief time frame. I jokingly responded, “Well, you’re welcome to pay me more if you want!” Ultimately, I was delighted to sell everything to this particular individual, and they threw in an extra $20 over my asking price.
3. I no longer list “OBO” (Or Best Offer) because I figure most buyers will negotiate. Conversely, I specify when I am not open to negotiation. 

 
Prep the Item:

1. Take one last look at the object to ensure it is not broken or dangerous.
2. Make sure the item is clean. Buyers are not expecting things to look brand new, but applying a bit of elbow grease will better showcase the object’s value.

 
Take Photos:  

1. You want to have adequate lighting. A well-lit item will entice more viewers. Avoid blocking the light with your body, which will cast a shadow, muddying the object’s details. This can be tricky depending on the time of day, so just do your best.
2. A bright day can do wonders. Noontime sun can create harsh shadows, so you might want to take the photo earlier or later in the day. There is no need to emulate the “golden hour” lighting that professional photographers love, but do consider timing.
3. Have you ever tried to purchase items online, like shoes, only to find a single photo included on the seller’s webpage? I bet you were less likely to buy that item. Take multiple pictures to show various sides of your object. 
4. If you only accept cash, mention this in the post. More buyers now expect to use cash apps. I learned this the hard way when a buyer showed up expecting to pay with their cash app and had no cash available.

 
Prepare the Post Description:

1. When writing the object’s description, include as many details as possible. A good synopsis attracts the right buyers and helps others opt out, thus saving you time from unnecessary back and forth.
2. If age is a selling point, list it; if you can include provenance (ownership history), even better.
3. List its condition. Nothing is worse for both buyer and seller than spending time arranging a meetup only to discover that the item does not fit the buyer’s need.
4. Use descriptive words to entice buyers.
5. Occasionally, I include why I am selling the item, especially if the price seems too good to be true. The reasoning shows potential buyers that it is, indeed, a good deal.

  
Create the Post:
Sign up for an account on the platform you will be using. Note if you need a follow-up step to verify your account, such as an email confirmation. Then, create the post. This typically entails:

1. A catchy and descriptive title
2. Your description
3. Your price
4. Your general location, but not your exact address or your phone number. Apps and websites have built-in ways to connect you with buyers without compromising your safety or making you an easy target for spam.
5. If you are on a platform like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, specify whether the item can be shipped or will only be sold locally.
6. Upload your excellent photos! Put your best foot forward by ensuring the “featured” image is the best one. It is the first picture potential buyers will see.
7. Read further instructions to confirm the post via email if need be. 

 
Frequently Check for Responses:
The sooner you respond, the more likely you will capitalize on potential buyers’ motivation. You might receive an onslaught of responses or crickets. That is part of the fun; we assume we know the market but never truly know what will be popular.
 
If you enter the experience with the expectation that people will flake, the back and forth will be more enjoyable. You can also specify how long you will wait before moving to the next responder. If someone takes too long, move on to the next responder so that other responders stay interested. Base your timing on how long your post will be active. More buyers drop off than they did years ago. I no longer wait as long as I used to because of this.
 
Safely Arrange a Time and Place to Meet:
Communicate precisely where and when to meet the buyer. A well-lit, busy parking lot or police station is a safe option. If a responder’s communication sounds off, skip them and move to the next person. Spammers and scammers go fishing on these sites, so use your Spidey senses. Always make sure that you are selling safely.
 
Assign a Deadline:
Only post if you are willing to give yourself a deadline by which you will immediately donate the item. I have worked with many individuals whose posts expired, and the unwanted object continued to waste valuable real estate over weeks and months. A pile full of unsold clutter can be a mood killer. It is hard to admit that we cannot recoup costs on some of our purchases, but it feels liberating to donate unsold items and free up space.
 
Taxes:
Were you surprised by this one? Cash and selling apps are now required to report sales that hit certain monetary thresholds. Uncle Sam might come knocking, so familiarize yourself with new laws that have gone into effect. This article explains the basics.  
 
Conclusion: 
Some details vary by platform, but following these steps will make your selling process more enjoyable. So go out and have fun selling your castoffs! Please feel free to share your enjoyable experiences in the comment section below. I know I have had plenty of them over the years. ​