10 tips to sell your preloved items fast (and for more money)

If you have a pile of stuff you need to shift, these tips will help you make bank faster and easier.

Updated Fri, 24 Nov 2023, 3:04 pm 4 min read

Listing your preloved items for sale can be a great way to declutter and make some extra money.

In fact, a recent report revealed the average Aussie had $952 worth of preloved clothing sitting unworn in their wardrobe. And, with the cost of living continuing to pinch household budgets, there’s every reason to get listing.

But if the thought of getting bombarded with 84 “Is this available” messages makes you break out in a cold sweat, I see your point. It’s no secret that resale sites like Facebook Marketplace, Depop and Gumtree can be a mecca for time wasters and scam risks. I have, however, established a few strategies that have dialled up my preloved selling success.

Compilation images of earning money on preloved items online — Selling preloved items online can help you earn extra money fast. (*Source: supplied*)

If you have a pile of stuff you need to shift, use these 10 tips to make bank faster and easier.

1. Start with good photos from multiple angles

I know it sounds obvious, but you need to give prospective buyers plenty of clear, well-lit photos of the item you’re selling. Get shots from different angles, and show things like labels, tags, zip fastenings to reduce the number of questions people ask. Yes, there’ll always be the people who ask anyway, but the clearer your imagery is, the better chance you have of a smooth sale.

If you’re selling clothing, photos of the items being worn can really help too. You can crop out your face for privacy.

2. Include measurements or sizes

For furniture, it pays to include measurements in your description. For clothing items, clearly displaying the size and any notes about the fit can be extremely beneficial. If it’s labelled a 12 but runs large, note that down. If it’s true to size, include that too. Prospective buyers love detail.

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3. Include the fabric/materials and composition

Noting what your items are made of in the description answers more of a prospective buyer’s questions upfront. Plus, it helps you look like a legitimate seller, which attracts more serious buyers.

4. Try to find the specific style name

One of your hottest chances of scoring a decent sale is attracting buyers who are looking for the exact item you’re selling. For this reason, it pays to include the specific product name or number in the title so your listing is more discoverable. If there’s a brand or store name, include that too.

For example, instead of ‘brown armchair’ you’ll title your item ‘West Elm Penn armchair in sandy beige’. This helps you attract qualified buyers who want exactly what you’re selling.

5. Gather receipts, packaging, boxes and warranties

Take the time to gather anything that helps legitimise and add value to the item you’re selling. If It’s a tech product, receipts and warranties are often helpful. For anything with a brand or designer name, authenticity cards, original packaging and boxes can help buyers trust that your product is worth buying.

6. Include your pick-up location and any delivery options

Always clearly state the pick-up suburb and any delivery options you’re happy to offer. Yes, there’ll still be those people who don’t read the description and ask anyway, but we want to ensure you’re answering any common questions upfront in the listing. If a buyer can clearly see that you’ll deliver for $10, they’re more likely to submit an offer.

7. Use keywords

Searchability is important when selling preloved items. Avoid descriptive adjectives like stunning or beautiful, and instead use words that potential buyers might be searching. Mid-century modern, brown oak, silk midi dress, pink and orange stripe – all of these terms are searchable keywords that can help your listing get seen.

8. Fill in filter criteria

Taking the time to fill in the filter criteria can really help get your listing seen. Some buyers will have filters that curate listings in their size or preferences, so make sure you don’t miss out on potential buyers seeing your stuff.

9. Renew or refresh your listings

Some sites like Facebook Marketplace offer you the option to renew or refresh your listings after a certain period of time. This bumps up your listing and gets it in front of newer buyers who might not have seen it before.

10. Time your listings strategically

I always find long weekends are great for selling preloved. I don’t know if it’s the extra day off or postage delays making it harder to buy from regular retail stores, but it works.

Equally, think about anything that may dial up demand for your preloved items. If it’s footy merch, time it with the footy season. If it’s winter coats, list them when the weather starts to turn cold. Outdoor furniture might sell well after a hot sunny weekend that gets people thinking about summer days in the garden.