Getting started with online selling is easier than ever and a few smart steps can help us get the best price and avoid any hassle.
Selling on eBay, or other second-hand sites, is a great way to make money fast but before you get started it’s worth reading these handy tips so you don’t miss out on maximising your profits.
1. Deciding what to sell
Before listing an item, it needs to be in clean, safe and in good condition. Poor-quality items lead to returns and bad reviews that make it harder to sell next time.
- Branded clothing, trainers, small furniture, phones, tablets and toys tend to sell quickly and at better prices.
- Home and lifestyle items like lamps, mirrors, and kitchenware often go fast on Facebook Marketplace or eBay Local.
- Collectables such as vinyl, Lego or vintage games can attract specialist buyers.
- Older tech can still sell for spares or repairs. Just make sure to wipe any personal data first!
Check eBay’s sold listings or Vinted’s trending searches to see what’s popular, and think seasonally: garden gear and camping equipment do best in spring, coats and heaters in autumn and winter.
2. Buying to sell
As well as selling things we already have, it’s worth rummaging around our local charity shops or car boot sales where we may find an item that’s been undervalued that we can sell on for a higher price.
Don’t run the risk of losing money. It’s important we’re confident the item is worth more than we’re buying it for, so do a bit of research first.
3. Create a profile
It’s really important that buyers know we are trustworthy. The best way to do this is to build a profile by becoming a buyer first. Even buying just a couple of small, cheap items will help. Paying on time and providing feedback will give you a good rating. Also choose a username that is simple and professional. This will give buyers confidence.
4. What should I charge?
Price by evidence, not hope. Use eBay’s Completed listings/Sold items to see real sale prices, not asking prices.
For clothes, consider Vinted or Depop; for handmade or one-off pieces, Etsy may achieve higher prices. For CDs and DVDs you can get quotes from second-hand sites such as Money Magpie, to base your price on.
If it’s not shifting after a week or two, drop the price slightly or add “open to offers.” Remember to factor in platform fees and postage so we don’t sell at a loss.
5. How to calculate postage
Use a postage calculator (e.g., Royal Mail’s price finder) to estimate costs by weight, size and service. High postage puts buyers off, so pack efficiently and include packaging costs in the item price if that works better. Offer tracked options for valuables and consider collection for heavy or bulky items.
6. Take good photos and write clear product descriptions
Good photos = more money. Shoot in daylight against a plain background, include multiple angles, and show any flaws honestly.
In the description, be clear and concise: brand, size/measurements, colour, condition, what’s included, and how/when we’ll dispatch. Inform buyers and be honest about any faults the item has. If it still has tags on and/or the original box it came in, say so. List in the correct category and add keywords buyers actually search for.
We can get inspiration from other sellers by looking at their profiles.
7. Start bids low
Buyers will be put off by high starting prices. If we start the price low – at just a couple of quid – this will encourage a competitive bidding war. However, if our product is a collector’s item, this approach probably won’t work so we should set a higher starting bid.
If we are worried about getting a bad deal, we can set a minimum price. This means the item won’t sell for lower than this.
8. Timing matters
This gives us a higher chance of getting more bids. It’s been proven that the best time to end an auction is on a Sunday evening. This is because a lot of casual buyers will go to browse around this time. Based on this, we should list your item on a Thursday evening to ensure maximum exposure.
9. Keep in contact with buyers
Keep all messages on-platform. Be polite, answer questions promptly, and confirm key details (collection time, payment, postage method). After the sale, send a quick note when payment is received and when the item is dispatched, with tracking if used. Fast, friendly communication reduces disputes and boosts feedback.
10. Get proof of postage
Every item we sell should be sent by recorded delivery, or at least get proof of postage. We don’t want the buyer to claim they never received it, if they did.
Image: Wayhome Studio/Shutterstock
