Several years ago, I spent WAY TOO MUCH TIME preparing and holding a garage sale and I swore I’d never do it again. Now I find myself stuck in a house with a bunch of junk I don’t need. I have a few good options to discard.
- Throw away. This is beneficial for things that are broken and can no longer be used.
- Donate to Salvation Army, picking up a receipt to use for taxes.
- Sell valuable items locally on craigslist or Facebook. I prefer Facebook because it seems to be fairly regulated and I can check out the profiles of people I’m going to meet.
- Sell specific and name brand clothes and trinkets on ebay.
Selling on Facebook
I like to donate smaller items and sell anything that will earn $10 or more on Facebook. I’ve found furniture, toy lots (several similar items) and “new in packaging” items seem to sell fairly well. There are many different options of Facebook sale pages; they vary in size and rules. I follow a few pages and post to them depending on my needs. There are a few very large groups with really strict rules. You can claim an item, ask questions, or request a lower price. There are also auction type sites where you can go in and actually bid on items. You can easily search groups by typing in your town and words like “sale” and “buy.”
Follow the Rules
When selling on Facebook, it’s important that you follow the rules of the page you are using. Typically they are pinned at the top of the page. It does not take long to just scroll through the rules and get a feel for the page.
Listing Your Item
Once you have a place to post your item, it is most important to clearly describe and market your item. Take clear pictures, as many as you need so buyers can get a feel for your item. Sometimes page rules require you to post a “main” picture and additional ones need to go in the comments. Pick the picture that shows a clear view of the entire item. Clearly describe your item. It is important to note the condition. While it may be tempting to overstate the condition of your items, you could lose your sale and be kicked off the page for doing so. Also, there are Facebook pages dedicated to posting about bad sellers; you do not want to end up on this list!
If you have a specific place or time that you require pick up, note this on your listing. If you want to meet at a specific place or you’re requesting pick up at your house, you need to state that ahead of time. I typically have items picked up at my house, so I mention that and the general area of my house.
Meeting Your Buyer
Once you have secured a buyer, you’ll need to set up pickup. Usually this is done by private messaging (PM). Often you need to look in a separate folder to find messages from people that aren’t your Facebook friends. When arranging a time, it works best if both parties can be flexible while stating their needs. After you’ve agreed on a time, you will meet and exchange goods for money. This is a good time to check over items and make sure the condition was accurately portrayed. It is imperative that you show up on time and bring correct change. Your buyer/seller will likely not stick around for long if you are late and may not have change for you. These are also offenses that can get you kicked off pages.
After the Sale
After you’ve sold the item and it’s been picked up, go back to the page and delete the listing. This will keep the page clear and easier to navigate.
It can feel intimidating and daunting to start listing your items for sale on Facebook, but it is freeing to get rid of the excess and make a little bit of cash. Following the rules, posting accurate listings and treating people with kindness will ensure your success.
