Table of Contents
Cleaning up isn’t just about getting more room; it’s also a journey to nourish the soul. Picture your unnecessary stuff becoming somebody else’s loved find, and making some money for yourself on top of that. This guide will help you effortlessly change your unwanted items and sell stuff online so that it can convert into someone else’s gems, all while plumping up your wallet. Let’s go on this decluttering trip, where ease and savings meet.
Top 9 Places To Sell Your Stuff Online
eBay
eBay is a vast e-commerce platform with professional tools and customization features. With an impressive community of more than 160 million purchasers, eBay provides a wide marketplace for your goods. Typically, sellers earn a 10% return; however, returns can fluctuate depending on your listing type and smart selling strategies.
Reasons to Choose eBay:
- Easy listing process for products with simple templates.
- Wide reach to millions of potential buyers globally.
- Various selling formats including auctions and fixed-price listings.
- Access to detailed seller analytics and performance metrics.
- Seller protection policies safeguarding against fraud and disputes.
- Integration with PayPal for secure payment processing.
- Promotional tools like discounts and promotions to boost sales.
What we didn’t like:
- High commission charges + Insertion fee on some categories.
Commission: 10-15% on final selling price, depending on the product category.
Visit eBay.
Craigslist
Craigslist is where you dictate the terms of your transactions when you sell stuff online. This platform empowers sellers to establish personal connections and forego commission fees. With a fee structure of none, your earnings remain entirely yours. Embrace the flexibility to set your own rules and negotiate directly with local buyers.
Reasons to Choose Craigslist:
- Free to use platform with no listing fees or commissions.
- Localized focus, allowing sellers to reach buyers in their area.
- Wide variety of categories for listing different types of items.
- No need for account creation for posting ads, enhancing anonymity.
- No intermediary involved; transactions are solely between buyer and seller.
What we didn’t like:
- Limited seller protection; transactions are conducted at the seller’s risk.
Commission: No commission, except for the Job category in the US, which is $10-75 depending on the area.
Visit Craigslist.
Amazon
Amazon is a ubiquitous retail giant, connecting sellers with millions of customers. The platform provides a convenient venue to list and sell your stuff online. It allows up to 40 monthly listings spanning tech, fashion, and sports. With a $0.99 fee per sale, the global reach compensates, offering broad visibility and payments every 14 days for consistent returns.
Reasons to Choose Amazon:
- Extensive customer base providing high visibility for products.
- User-friendly interface for easy listing and inventory management.
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) option for hassle-free shipping and customer service.
- Detailed analytics and reports to track sales performance.
- Secure payment processing and timely disbursement of funds.
- Customer reviews and ratings enhance product credibility.
What we didn’t like:
- Strict seller performance metrics, risking suspension for underperformance.
- Fees for various services including referral fees, FBA fees, and subscription fees.
Commission: The average seller pays approximately 15% of the selling price of each product, with fees ranging from 8% to 45%. Account fees start at 99 cents for each item sold and go up to $39.99 per month.
Visit Amazon.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace and Groups offer a versatile platform for sellers to connect with the right customers. These platforms can help you tailor your approach based on proximity, and shared interests, or even foster connections through friendship. Facebook marketplace offers the flexibility of a fee-free setup, allowing you to explore diverse avenues to sell stuff online.
Reasons to Choose Facebook Marketplace:
- Large user base, providing potential buyers within your local community.
- Easy listing process directly integrated with Facebook’s platform.
- No listing fees or selling commissions, maximizing profit margins.
- Ability to communicate with buyers directly through Messenger.
- Integration with Facebook’s social features, allowing for easy sharing and promotion.
What we didn’t like:
- Lack of seller protection policies compared to dedicated e-commerce platforms.
Commission: All items sold through Facebook Marketplace are subject to a small fee, which varies based on your sales volume.
Visit Facebook Marketplace.
OfferUp
OfferUp makes up for a good place to sell stuff online. It stands as the largest mobile marketplace in the US, emphasizing local transactions that eliminate shipping fees for sellers. This platform facilitates direct connections with nearby buyers, promoting a convenient and cost-effective selling experience. With no fixed fees, the outcome of each transaction varies, providing sellers with flexibility and adaptability.
Reasons to Choose OfferUp:
- Emphasis on local transactions reduces shipping costs and simplifies logistics.
- Direct connections with nearby buyers facilitate quick and easy sales.
- No fixed fees, providing flexibility and adaptability in pricing strategies.
- User-friendly interface and intuitive listing process streamline the selling experience.
- Integration with in-app messaging allows for seamless communication with buyers.
- Option to promote listings for increased visibility to potential buyers.
What we didn’t like:
- Lack of seller protection policies.
- Inconsistent transaction outcomes due to varying buyer behavior.
Commission: There is a minimum charge of $1.99 and the commission is 12.9% of the item’s final price (shipping excluded).
Visit OfferUp.
Poshmark
Poshmark, the fashion lover’s hub, lets you sell clothes and accessories directly from your closet. Enjoy virtual shopping parties and a straightforward fee structure—$2.95 for items under $15. Get paid just three days after delivery, making Poshmark a swift and social platform for fashion enthusiasts.
Reasons to Choose Poshmark:
- Specialized platform for selling clothes and accessories, attracting fashion-savvy buyers.
- Virtual shopping parties and social features enhance visibility and engagement.
- Fast payment processing, with sellers receiving funds just three days after delivery.
- User-friendly interface and intuitive listing process streamline the selling experience.
What we didn’t like:
- Limited to selling clothes and accessories, restricting sellers to a specific niche.
- Competition from other sellers may impact visibility and sales.
- Fees can add up for higher-priced items, potentially reducing profit margins.
Commission: Straightforward fee structure with a flat fee of $2.95 for items under $15.
Visit Poshmark.
The RealReal
At The RealReal, consign luxury fashion and accessories effortlessly from home if you’re looking to sell stuff online. Entrust the selling process to a team of experts. Streamline your luxury consignment journey with The RealReal’s professional touch and earn returns seamlessly.
Reasons to Choose The RealReal:
- Dedicated platform for luxury consignment, attracting affluent buyers seeking high-end items.
- Rigorous authentication processes ensure the authenticity of luxury goods, building buyer trust.
- Diverse product offerings, including designer clothing, accessories, and fine jewelry.
- Consignment model offers sellers an opportunity to earn on luxury items they no longer use.
What we didn’t like:
- High commission fees, with The RealReal retaining a significant percentage of the sale price.
- Lengthy authentication processes may delay listings and impact seller turnaround time.
Commission: For items priced under $200, the fee is 50%, and fees are incurred only upon a successful sale.
thredUP
thredUP is the large online thrift store offering a wide selection of secondhand clothing for budget-conscious shoppers. It has simplified the selling process with thredUP’s Cleanout Kit, providing pre-paid shipping labels and bags. Experience a hassle-free way to declutter your wardrobe and earn returns with thredUP’s efficient and user-friendly approach.
Reasons to Choose thredUP:
- Option for upfront payouts or consignment, offering flexibility for sellers.
- User-friendly platform with advanced search filters for easy browsing and discovery.
- Sustainable fashion initiative promotes environmentally-friendly shopping practices.
- Affordable pricing and frequent promotions make luxury and designer items accessible.
- Extensive inventory turnover ensures a diverse selection of clothing styles and brands.
What we didn’t like:
- Lower payouts compared to selling directly or through other consignment platforms.
- Lengthy processing times for Clean Out Kit submissions, delaying seller payments.
- Limited control over pricing and presentation of items, impacting seller branding.
Commission: The fee structure starts from 10%, and you can expect payment within 14 days.
Visit thredUP.
Tradesy
Tradesy is a specialized platform for buying and selling pre-owned designer fashion, catering to luxury enthusiasts. It has a user-friendly interface and streamlined listing process to make selling and buying more efficient. Tradesy’s Second-hand store – Vestiaire Collective provides a seamless platform for your women’s designer clothing.
Reasons to Choose:
- High-quality product imagery and detailed descriptions enhance the shopping experience.
- Option for seller protection with Tradesy’s authentication service for luxury items.
- Flexible pricing options, including the ability to negotiate offers and set bundle discounts.
- Dedicated customer support team assists with inquiries and resolves issues promptly.
What we didn’t like:
- High commission fees, with Tradesy retaining a significant percentage of the sale price.
- Limited market reach compared to broader resale platforms, potentially impacting visibility.
- Strict acceptance criteria for items may result in the rejection of certain listings.
Commission: Easily list items with free shipping kits. For items under $50, the fee is $7.50, and you’ll receive payment 21 days after delivery.
Visit Tradesy.
How To Sell Stuff Online With Maximized Earnings
To sell your stuff online while making bank on them can be the best thing you can do while decluttering your space and life. Whether furniture or tech gear, ask yourself these 5 crucial questions before choosing the ideal selling platform.
Question #1: How Do You Determine the Perfect Online Marketplace for Your Items?
The first step is to choose the appropriate site to sell your items. Once you register for an account on certain websites, such as eBay, OfferUp, and Craigslist, you can essentially sell anything you want on an open market.
You can legally sell anything on social media sites like Facebook, but it will not work unless you choose the correct audience for your products.
Having said that, large items—like furniture—that would be too expensive to ship will sell well on Craigslist. Although practically anything can be sold on Amazon, it works best for high-end products like electronics and comparison shopping.
Your reduced used price appears next to the price for new items when you sell these expensive items on Amazon, luring customers to see it and take a closer look. If you are a tech seller and would prefer not to use Amazon as your middleman, Swappa is a viable alternative.
Using an online marketplace that specializes in secondhand clothing, such as Poshmark, ThredUP, Tradesy, or The RealReal, will likely help you sell clothes—especially vintage and luxury items—faster and for a higher price.
Tradesy is particularly interested in all things related to weddings, such as stationery and decorations, groomsmen outfits, bridesmaid dresses, and luxury accessories. The RealReal also assists you in selling watches, fine art, and designer furniture items.
Take note of the state of the products you are selling. While websites like The RealReal, Swappa, and ThredUP inspect your items before accepting them for sale, you will only be asked a lot of questions about their condition if you sell on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
Question #2: Who Covers the Shipping Expenses?
Selling large items adds to handling and shipping headaches. But knowing the right place to sell your items can help you sell stuff online with ease and convenience.
At that point, the commission fees on websites like ThredUP, The RealReal, and Tradesy start to make sense. Every one of those websites provides a pre-paid shipping label or bag, allowing you to ship everything at once. They will not get in the way while you wait for a buyer, and the website handles all shipping-related matters.
If you have more than ten items and reside in an eligible city, The RealReal will even send a messenger to pick up your goods. In the case of furniture, it will also cover the cost of freight shipping from your home to one of its warehouses.
You are in charge of handling the shipping or handover arrangements when using DIY sales platforms like Facebook, eBay, and Craigslist. By focusing on setting up sales between neighbors, OfferUp deftly sidesteps the whole problem and allows you to simply hand your belongings over in person. Sellers can choose to handle shipping themselves or delegate it to the Fulfilled By Amazon service, according to Amazon.
Question #3: Who Takes Charge of the Selling Process?
Successfully selling your items involves creating a listing with details and photos. eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, and Facebook rely on sellers to provide necessary information. Alternatively, Amazon offers the option to trade items for store credit based on your description and photos.
Swappa requires sellers to create listings, but staff approval ensures saleability. For those with numerous items, ThredUP and The RealReal streamline the process by handling sorting, authenticating, and pricing.
While this might mean less control over pricing and a potentially higher commission, it offers a time-saving advantage, allowing you to start selling faster.
Question #4: What Is Their Commission?
Since Craigslist is an entirely do-it-yourself website, there are no fees. Swappa charges the buyer a selling fee rather than the seller, making it seller-friendly as well.
eBay will get 10% of the total amount; however, additional costs may apply based on the way you choose to make your purchase. For non-professional sellers, Amazon charges $1 per sale plus additional fees based on the product and sale price.
After the first $100 of the sale price, you will pay 15%, and then 8%.
ThredUP, on the other hand, is able to retain up to 95% of the sale price. The commission does vary with the final value charge; at least 20% of the price will result in a reduced commission.
A minimum 30% commission is charged by The RealReal, 45% for products up to $120, 55% for values under $1,500, and a $60 flat transaction fee for anything over $10,000.
Bottom Line: Sell Stuff Online and Make Money!
Today, the possibilities for selling your belongings online are virtually limitless. Simply select your preferred payment method, find the most suitable website for your items, and determine the level of effort you’re willing to invest. With these choices, turning your old possessions into cash becomes a straightforward and customizable endeavor.