Selling items you no longer want or need online is a great way to make a little extra income and clear space within your home, and with people making a conscious decision to reduce consumption of fast fashion and mass-produced items, now is a great time to start if you haven't already!
At present, HMRC allows for individuals to make an additional £1000 income as part of their Tax Free Allowances which they do not have to report, which for most people would make a world of difference! (Selling platforms may report earnings to HMRC, and if you make over this figure in addition to declared income, you should register as self-employed).
To help you get started on your journey to de-cluttering your space and making a little spare money, we've put together a beginner's guide
Selling Online - A Beginner's Guide
Pick Which Platform Works Best for You
Depending on what you want to sell and how you want to manage the process will determine which platform best suits your needs. Do some research on similar items to see how much they are selling for too!
On some platforms, such as Vinted, the buyer covers all postage and fees, and you can pick which shipping companies you're happy to use, meaning you don't have to go too out of your way to send items, and is great for selling clothes and small items. Some platforms, such as eBay, require you to arrange your own shipping labels, or give you the option to deliver or allow collection, and are great for collectables.
Other sites, like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, can allow potential sellers to arrange viewings for items and collect from you directly, which is great for larger items like furniture and vehicles, but can also feel a little vulnerable to some. Where possible, check the other party's profile before agreeing to meet, meet people in public places, and don't go alone. Don't allow the potential buyer to test items on their own either - you run the risk of them simply not returning! Platforms like this are also not designed for items to be posted and do not go through the platform which removes some protections, so make sure payments are secure and avoid shipping - stick to cash or trusted platforms like Paypal, which disclose minimal information.
Be sure to see what platform suits you and your items best to make sure you get the best price but also the least stress!
Get Your Items Together
To make selling life easier, it's best to keep the items you intend to sell separate from items that you use. When you get the notification of a sale, it's helpful to know where the item is!
You will also need postage equipment - depending on what you're selling, this can include mailing bags and boxes, parcel tape, protective packaging like tissue paper and bubble wrap, wadding to stuff items like bags and shoes, or more specialised packaging like cut foam for small, delicate items. It's a great idea to reuse packaging from your purchases, as this can save you money and is more environmentally friendly than purchasing.
Plan Your Selling Strategy
Online selling is usually straightforward and can often be done entirely via an app on your phone, but can also be done via the web-based version of the site for many platforms; you will need to take images with a camera and transfer them to your device to do this. Depending on how much you have to sell and how much time you have to spare, you can list items as and when you get time, or list all your sales on the same day. Be aware that some sites do limit the number of items private sellers can list within a set time frame, and certain items may also not be covered - check this with the platform to be sure.
Sometimes it is easier to list items as and when you decide to part ways, however, this can also mean more trips to the drop-off points. If you list a lot at the same time, hopefully they will also sell in a similar timeframe, and you can take them all
Check the Item Carefully Before Listing
Check for any flaws, faults or features before listing. A less than perfect item can still be sold, but you need to make potential buyer's aware of the condition to avoid any disputes being raised, which can cost you money and in extreme cases, cause your account to be closed. Make sure you take clear photos of flaws and also mention them in the description. Items that are very badly damaged may still be sellable if they are collectable or fixable, but you may not get that much, so donating may be a better use of your time.
Check any pockets or compartments as well to make sure you're not parting with more than you realised!
Make Sure Listings Contain as Much Information As Possible
From images to measurements, giving as much information as you can helps buyers find your item and hopefully encourages them to buy!
Most selling platforms have minimum requirements on how much information is needed, which for universal items such as clothes and shoes may be sufficient. However, for other items, such as artwork, furniture, or spare parts, providing dimensions and identification codes without being asked can make all the difference and help complete the sale.
If sellers do message for more information, try to be as helpful as possible, but beware of people asking for personal information and photographs where inappropriate. Some buyers may also try to rush the sale, or offer far more or far less than your asking price, which is often a red flag.
Ship Sales Promptly and Carefully
Most selling platforms have defined timeframes for sending out parcels, and if you don't meet these, the sale will be cancelled and your seller rating impacted. This can be off-putting for future buyers. Some platforms also don't release your funds until the order has been received by the buyer, so the quicker they get it, the quicker you get paid! Double-check the item before packaging, and take photos of high-value items.
It's also important to package your items carefully before sending. If an item gets damaged in transit and the packaging is insufficient, it may be your issue to resolve rather than the shipping company. You don't necessarily need to purchase packaging specifically for shipping; reused mailing bags and boxes are fine as long as previous addresses and barcodes are removed or erased. Wrap and pad any breakables so they are secure, and even soft items like clothes can benefit from having a second layer of wrapping inside a mailing bag. Write any specific warnings on the packaging, such as fragile, do not bend, etc. For extra protection, take photos of how you've packaged the item, so if any damage does take place, you can show this was not down to how the item left you.
If the buyer does report any issues on receipt, check the platform's guidance on how to resolve.
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This blog is for general information only and is not advice or a recommendation. Please do your own research before making any decisions.
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