Usually the time to make a bit of money selling unwanted items is before Christmas with people searching for bargains in the run-up to the festive season, but according to eBay, the New Year may now be the moment to strike.
Whether it be household products no longer needed, toys that have outgrown children or Christmas gifts that have been unwelcome, the online second-hand retailer claims you could make some decent money if you are selling the right things. And they have recently launched a ReSELLution campaign to encourage the public to declutter their home, reports the Mirror.
With the ever spiralling cost-of-living costs added to they money splurged on Christmas, the time between the New Year and the next pay day is a tough period, with eBay discovering that the average Brit has, on average, £184 to last the until their next pay cheque arrives. And they have given some handy advice about what the best sellers are on its site.
According to them, bicycles, tablets and video game consoles come out on top as the biggest money-makers. Based on their average secondhand selling price, these are the top 12 items eBay believe will make you a bit of extra cash:
Bicycle – £284
Tablet – £171
Video games console – £158
Smart watch - £124
Table tennis table – £120
Vacuum cleaner – £86
Hair dryer – £70
Car seat – £65
Pod & Capsule Coffee Machine – £60
Air bed – £40
Christmas tree – £38
Juicer – £36
If you have all of these items and decide to sell them all this month, you could be in the running to make an extra £1,252. Even if you do not have some of these items, eBay still urges you to have a root around, as a survey carried out by the market research company Opinium found the average household could make an extra £477 by selling items they no longer need.
Emma Grant, head of Pre-Loved at eBay UK said: “Over the past few months, many of us have had to turn down plans or put them on hold due to the increasing cost of living making us reconsider where we spend, which is why we’re launching the ReSELLution in January. This is a movement designed to get the nation decluttering and making some extra cash post-Christmas.
“At eBay, we’re on a mission to help you save money, but also keep items in circulation and ultimately support your lifestyle as we kick off a new year.”
Emma has highlighted a few simple tips to help you optimise your listings which will help them sell better, including making sure you take the time to get your keywords right so the bidders will come. She said: “It’s crucial to write your listing in your fellow shoppers’ language and use the terminology they search for – especially the brand, product names, and sizes.”
She said it’s important to always choose the most specific category to sell your item in. If you are selling children’s clothes, you should put that in the ‘kids fashion’ category, rather than just ‘fashion’ in general.
Including pictures with the item is also a massive plus as most users will not bid on items they cannot see. For best results, she recommended you take photos in natural light against a neutral background.
You also need to be honest about the condition of the product and be sure to note any wear and tear, so the buyer knows what they’re getting.
Emma added: “By including details that can’t be seen in the image, for example, if you are selling clothes noting the feel or fit of the product, you’ll help buyers decide if this is the item for them.”
Finally, Emma recommended that you consider your pricing strategy carefully by following the eBay pricing recommendations. Emma concluded: “You should always ask yourself ‘would I pay this price for this item?’.”
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