Here we are in the fourth part of my spring cleaning series! In the first, I showed you how to organize a cleaning caddy and set up a cleaning routine. In the second, we went over how to de-clutter by season. And, in the third, we went over how to set up a garage sale to maximize sales. Today, in the video below, I show you how to sell your clutter and maximize sales on garage sale apps for your higher ticket items. If you are reading this during the pandemic of 2020, please click here for advice on how to sell safely.
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Before we even start posting your clutter to sell on apps like Offerup and Letgo, have you gathered the items you aren’t using? Grab my free organizing resources here so that you can purge those items you aren’t using and make some cash! Here’s how to make the most on garage sale apps with my 5 most important tips:
1. TAKE ATTENTION-GRABBING PICTURES: These apps can be a crowded space, so you will need to grab the shopper’s attention with clear, close-up pictures without clutter which highlight the best features of the item you are selling. Depending on the app, your main picture will need to be taken hot dog or vertically, otherwise, it will be smaller and less noticeable. Be sure your pics include any damage. You will also note the damage in the item description. This is very important. The key to doing well on garage sale apps is to be completely upfront about the items you are selling. The best part about garage sale apps as opposed to using Craigslist is that people can build a reputation through ratings. You will typically purchase from someone who has a high rating, right? You want to be that person. If a person sees the rip or stain on the name brand purse ahead of time, they know what they’re in for. If you are not upfront about the damage, they can give you a lower score for not selling an item as described. Then, it will be harder for you to sell the rest of your items. Besides, we should all have integrity in everything we do … am I right or am I right? Be honest. You’re trying to sell clutter anyway!
2. DESCRIPTIONS THAT SHOPPERS APPRECIATE: Next, you will want to have a well thought-out description. Think about what shoppers are looking for. When it comes to furniture, a lot of the time, they are looking for a piece that fits a specific spot in their home. So, you will need to add measurements. They will also be looking for items that coordinate with their current decor, so be sure to describe the color in case it doesn’t pick up well on camera. If they are looking for a formal dress or any other piece of clothing, they will need the size. It is extra helpful if you note your body type and how the item fit you so the person can know if it will work for them. Include the make and model of any brand name items. You can even include a pic of what the item is selling for elsewhere. For example, if you are selling sunglasses, include the make and model and frame color and lens color (some cameras and phones pic up and display colors differently) so that people can look up how much it would cost to purchase that item online whether it be new or used. You will price the item for maybe 20% less than the lowest price you see if the item is in great condition. You will mark it lower for any scratches or other damage. The person will gladly purchase from you because they are getting a better deal AND they don’t have to pay shipping.
3. ACCEPT THIS HARD BUT TRUE FACT: Great pictures and honest descriptions are your best bet for getting attention for your items. But one very important thing you have to accept now so that you don’t get too frustrated is that you will encounter a lot of flakes. You know how I said we should have integrity in everything? Well, a lot of people don’t have it! So, let me save you a lot of time now … one, don’t get too excited when someone makes an offer. Always respond as soon as you receive the offer and let the person know when you will be available. If they don’t respond within a day (I suggest waiting a day to give them a chance to respond), you can report them! You can even block them. No need to waste your time being angry. Just take advantage of the app’s reporting features. If you are that person who made an offer but changed your mind … tell the person (so … simple). Two, be patient. The right person will come along. Celebrate when they do follow through and give them 5 stars as soon as you complete the exchange. The additional advantage to rating someone right away is that they will be more likely to rate you right away and with a good rating as well.
4. WHEN ITEMS DON’T SELL: If you don’t see movement on your posts, you can archive re-post them. I find that a lot of people shop at night before bed. So, you can re-post your sales around 8:30 to 9:00 pm. I suggest doing this every Friday night like you would for a regular garage sale as most people are more available to pick up items on the weekends. If you have the time, go ahead and re-post your items every night. This will help to sell your clutter more quickly. You will just need to keep the pictures saved on your phone. You can also copy the item description before you archive it so that you can just paste it and add your pictures again and have it up in no time. So easy! Yes, it may take some time, so it all depends how worth your time and space it is to hold on to these items until someone finally follows through. If it’s stressing you out to sell your clutter, you may just want to go ahead and give the item to a friend or donate it. It’s your call!
5. HOW TO BE SAFE: If someone gives you a phone number or email address, they are most likely a scammer. Report them immediately. The best thing about these apps is that they are a confidential messaging system that works just like text except without giving away your personal information. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so much safer to use than Craigslist. Never give your phone number or email address. You may, however, encounter people who are not very tech savvy. They may tell you that they don’t have the app on their phone and give you their phone number when they are ready to meet up. In that situation, ask the person if they have internet on their phone.
The way these apps work is that you get the message within the app and through your email. You can actually use these apps without having to install them. The way to use them and still keep your direct contact info confidential is to click the respond button through your email which directs you to the app website … very much like Craigslist codes the messages so that you can communicate through email, without giving away your email address. So, if the person confirms that they have internet, I ask them to go ahead and communicate with me through the Offerup/Letgo emails. So, to be safe, one, if they won’t do that or simply don’t understand, apologize and say you can’t complete the exchange. It’s better to be safe than sorry just to receive a bit of cash or purchase an item at a deal. You never know if the person is playing dumb to take advantage of you. Two, always meet in a public location for obvious safety reasons. The added benefit to meeting in public is that you will have likely set a specific time to meet, so the person will be more likely to follow through rather than during a range of time where you live. You can meet down the street at the 7-11. Three, wait until the person leaves and then go ahead and head home or to wherever you are going.
What garage sale type apps have you used to sell clutter and what do you love … or not love … about them. Share in the comments below! Don’t forget to grab my free organizing resources here so that you can purge those items you aren’t using and make some cash! Be sure to subscribe to my channel and click the notification bell so you don’t miss another organizing video.
Happy Organizing!
Author of “How to Organize Any Space in 7 Simplified Steps“