As you guys know, I’m all for being frugal and trying to live as minimal as possible. So I’ve put together a guide to selling your second-hand items, and giving them a new life – as well as adding to the holiday kitty!!

Facebook Marketplace & Buy/Swap/Sell Pages

Facebook Marketplace is usually my first place to go to for selling household and baby items. Firstly, it’s free and it’s hyper-local so that buying can pick up in person and you don’t have to worry about the post.

Since Marketplace was introduced it now means you can also create the listing in one central place and then post to BSS pages by simply clicking them. You don’t have to duplicate your listenings several times.

The pitfall of this method is, of course, the people you sometimes have to deal with. Tyre kickers, annoying question-askers and no shows!

I am pretty brutal when it comes to selling second-hand. I sell to the first person who picks it up until then the item is available. Some people don’t like this and get snarky when an item they ‘inquired’ about sells. I put ‘no holds’ and ‘advertised elsewhere’ in my listings to make this clear.

If you are selling brand name items then perhaps check out if there are pages dedicated to the brand. There are some big pages for brands like Mimco, Kookai, Spell, Auguste & Tony Bianco & most kids brands.

We once advertised a shed we wanted to be removed and offered it for free as long as they came to dismantle and take it themselves. Saved us hundreds in demolishing and having it taken away.

Gumtree

Gumtree is always my second go-to for posting items for sale, and I’ll explain why this order in a sec!

Again, like the above-mentioned market places you can search via local so finding and selling items means people can pick it up. You can also search nationwide and discuss postage costs with people.

You also have the added layer of protection as Gumtree is integrated with PayPal now and you can request within the app for funds. Be careful of people giving you their email or contacting you outside the app as there are some scams run this way.

Gumtree is great for selling larger items as well, and in some cases, you might give away items for free that would have otherwise cost you to dispose of. So this is something to think about if you’re wanting to get rid of large items.

eBay

eBay is always my place to list after Gumtree.

Gumtree will now allow you to push your listing to eBay just like FB Marketplace does to BSS pages. All the details transfer over and it saves you duplicating all the information yourself.

eBay also charges fees and can eat into your profit margin. But, for smaller items, it’s a great place to get exposure, as even those searching in Google will get eBay listings.

Make sure you account for postage costs and HANDLING, this is your time spent packing and posting. Also, have clear terms and conditions in your listing. I will pop another blog up soon with some tips and tricks for nailing these listings.

I start a lot of my items at .99c. Firstly, because you get no listing fee for doing so on up to 20 items a month. Secondly, because people are likely to watch or bid on a cheaper item.

It sucks them in and gets them interested in your listing. Once they are bidding they might keep bidding over and above something with a higher starting price they dismissed earlier.

I will always try my best to sell via Facebook or Gumtree as eBay fees are huge now. At over 10%, it eats away at your profit quickly.

Speciality Websites

If you’re selling things like cars, wedding dresses or antiques, then I suggest also listing them with specified websites. Think of sites like Car Sales or Still White. People specifically looking for something will go to these sites. I sold my wedding dress on Still White and made almost what I paid for it back!

Second-Hand Markets

I recently actually went to a children’s SH market and made a great profit from selling the girls old clothes. Made just over $500 from selling items at $2 & $5, which gives you an idea of how much I sold.

Also, I used to sell my own clothes at the Camberwell Sunday Market. You do need to book a stall well ahead as they book out, also try to do it in warmer months because fewer people wanna come out in the cold of winter.

Markets are great because people come intending to buy, you can get rid of a lot of second-hand goods at once and not worry about the admin, organising and postage. Be willing to negotiate, sell bundled items for less and aim to go home with nothing.

Some great tips include hanging items for display, as people like to see the item not rummage through a box. Have clear pricing and guides so they don’t have to ask – you might lose a sale if they don’t have the courage to ask.

Garage Sales

If you think you have enough stuff then maybe host a garage sale. This is great because you don’t even have to go anywhere. Of course, weather can be an issue but perhaps hold it partially inside a garage. I have hosted a few and had great success. Again try to hang items and display them nicely.

When advertising your garage sale be clear on what your selling to so people know if it’s for them or not.

A great way to promote your second-hand sale is a FB event. Share it, invite friends and ask friends and family to also share it. Your local paper classifieds usually have a garage sale section too. Those who like to attend them on weekends will find them here.

Also clear signage at your house, around your street with directions. Balloons are good too. Just make it as obvious as possible so even someone passing by will go “hey, I’ll pop in”.

Check out our little snippet on the Today Show, chatting about selling your second-hand items online: