How to Sell Stuff Online for Free

Rather sell your stuff than move it?

More power to you! That’sa  great idea, because it’ll make your move easier and cheaper while also putting money in your pocket. Win-win. Plus, then you can upgrade – it was time for a new bed/couch/table anyways, right?

Selling your stuff is best done online, because it’s the cheapest option and the most likely to reach the greatest number of people. This article will discuss (1) where to sell your stuff, (2) how to sell your stuff, and (3) how to create an effective ad.

Where to Sell Stuff Online for Free

• Craigslist – Craigslist is free and easy to use. Thousands of people in whatever city you live in check here first for whatever it is they’re looking for. It’s the DIY way to sell your stuff. Undoubtedly, it is the best way to sell stuff online for free.
• Local newspapers – Your local paper may allow you to put in free online classifieds, though this isn’t guaranteed. You’ll need to contact them.
• Ebay – eBay is NOT free, but it is an online option for selling your stuff, one that millions use, so we mention it.
• Amazon – Amazon is NOT free, but it costs as little as $1 to sell something used on Amazon. The problem is, Amazon is better built for selling new products or a series of products.

How to Sell Stuff Online

Because Craigslist is your best bet, we will discuss how to sell things on Craigslist. However, many of these concepts will apply to other mediums.

1. Create an account – You’ll need to create an account with Craigslist. It’s easy and free.
2. Use your REAL email address – For crying out loud, use your real email address. Craigslist won’t let anyone see it unless you want them to. If you give them your useless Hotmail address, then you probably won’t hear about the different offers that come your way.
3. Create an ad – Time to create an ad! See below for tips.
4. Answer contacts in a timely fashion – When people contact you, email or call them back, if they seem like someone you want to sell to.
5. Set up times for visits – No one in their right mind will just agree to buy the thing without seeing it. You’ll need to plan to allow people to come over to check out your stuff.

How to Get Someone to Actually Buy Your Stuff

To sell effectively something online, you need to build trust. The buyer needs to trust that not only are you not an axe-murderer, he needs to trust that you aren’t ripping him off. Here’s how to build that trust along with a couple other tips:

• Proofread – Seriously. If you aren’t a grammatical whiz, or if your spelling is poor, take five minutes to have someone read your ad. Also, even if you won the National Spelling Bee in 1995, PROOFREAD YOUR AD before posting it. You’ll find at least one mistake.
• Price – Check out similar ads and make sure yours isn’t the most expensive. It need not be the cheapest, but try to have it fall in the middle range, unless it’s really awesome for some reason, which it’s probably not.
• Include pictures – If there aren’t pics, you’ll probably lose the interest of at least 75% of users. Take a picture, upload it to your computer and post it in the ad. Even better, take multiple pics from multiple angles.
• Describe the thing – Stress the thing’s best qualities. Also, note any inadequacies and put a positive spin on them. If you don’t, people will be quite bummed when they see that inadequacy, and they probably won’t buy, or they’ll give you an angry phone call after they buy. Make sure they know what they’re getting.
• Contact info – Craigslist will allow users to email you at an anonymous address, which forwards to your own. However, if you want them to call you, include your number. Also, inform them when and how to contact you, if that matters.
• Other info – Will they have to pay for it in cash? Will they have to move it themselves? When do you need it gone by? Etc.

Learn more about how to get rid of stuff.