According to national research, approximately 55% of Americans either break even or spend more than what they earn every month. That not only often results in loads of extra stuff, but it can create a compulsion known as “Hoarding Disorder,” which affects up to 6% or 19 million Americans. Fortunately, many people are open to taking used and unwanted items off your hands. In fact, selling items can be an easy way to make extra money if you know where to start.

The Easiest Ways to Sell Used or Unwanted Items 

The decision to sell stuff and make money along the way doesn’t have to be a hassle as long as you know what you’re doing. You can always opt for the old tried and true by hosting a yard sale, garage sale, or head to a nearby flea market to sell items to local buyers. Vintage items, DVDs, and video games are almost always guaranteed money makers in those markets. A yard sale or garage sale is a great way to make some extra money quickly and without additional fees or overhead. But you’ll need to offer fantastic deals and expect a lot of haggling from potential buyers. You’ll also need to deal with advertising (whether using old-fashioned signs or just emailing your Google contacts), set up, and decide whether to accept a credit card as payment. Of course, if you want to avoid or bypass old-school options and let tech help you sell items, your favorite smartphone, Android, or iOS device can be a magical cure.

What Websites and Apps Can Help You Sell Clothes and Furniture?

A Google search will provide many solutions for selling your wares for cash or free gift cards, but not all websites are created equal. While Google is a great place to start, it can be incredibly confusing with the sheer amount of potential. The last thing anyone should want or need when downsizing is to be scammed, forced to pay extra fees or jump through hoops to list items or sell stuff. An excellent selling app can also get you in touch quickly with potential buyers if you have a smartphone, iPhone, Android, or iOS device. So, consider these websites and apps to help you sell your clothes, furniture, DVDs, video games, and other secondhand or new items.

Some clothing and furniture brands that resell well include IKEA, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Rylee + Cru, Quincy Mae, and Hanna Andersson. Some shoppers will even buy brand new garments on the cheap (with promo codes and clearance deals) selecting popular labels with good resale value. They may be hoping to flip these goods for for a profit, or score items for up to 80% to 90% off when factoring in how much of their money they can make back through consignment.

Amazon – Amazon is one of the easiest websites for selling new items. Just create an affiliate account through the Amazon website for your geographic location and list items for sale. Be prepared to handle your own shipping label, however, unless you opt for warehouse or drop shipping. PayPal is always a payment option as well, which is a benefit for both sellers and buyers.

Chairish – Chairish is a gorgeous website for fashionistas and home decor lovers. Moreover, it allows sellers to list items for sale for free. Consignment revenue is high at 70% for free users and 80% for premium members, so get ready to make money.

Craigslist – Craigslist is a great U.S. website that accepts free postings for most items. Craigslist does, however, charge for some job postings and $5 for vehicle listings.

eBay – Like Amazon, eBay has different websites based on geographic location, and individual sellers and local buyers fuel the site. As an online marketplace, eBay is free to use, and customers have payment options of credit card and PayPal. Sellers need to prepare shipping labels on their own and deal with shipping costs, but direct deposit payments make selling items a breeze.

Etsy – Etsy is an online marketplace with a creative twist. It allows users to buy and sell unique secondhand items, new items, crafts, and even vintage items. Expect a 3.5% transaction fee and shipping costs, and you’ll also need to prepare shipping labels.

Meetup – Meetup is an easy way to organize events, activities, and even sell items or meet people with similar interests within a specific area. Download the free app via the Apple or Android app store.

Poshmark – Poshmark is the leading website for used clothing. It’s easy to make money as earnings are directly deposited right into your Poshmark account. And if a mobile app is more your style, download this excellent app for your Android or iPhone.   

Decluttr – Download the Decluttr app to an Android or iOS device to sell books, DVDs, video games, and other items you need to get rid of. Decluttr pays via Amazon gift cards or direct deposit.

Facebook Marketplace – Use your Facebook account to access, browse, list, and sell items for free on Facebook Marketplace. Download the app from the Android or Apple app store to keep up with potential buyers and new listings. And bypass all worries by paying with PayPal. While you can sell pretty much anything here, I find that Facebook Marketplace is a particularly great place to buy and sell baby or children’s gear and furniture.

Facebook Buy Sell Trade (BST) Groups – Facebook resale groups, also known as Buy Sell Trade or BST groups, are a great place to resell used or unwanted clothes. While you can sell all sizes, kids’ BST groups are the most popular. Different BST groups are themed around different brands, different price points, or even item condition. Some BST groups are only for re-selling NWT items. I’ve had good luck selling to other moms in a local BST group, even making over $2,300 doing a purge sale on Facebook.

5miles – Established in 2014, 5miles is an online marketplace that’s mobile-friendly and easy to browse.

LetGo – Download the LetGo app to gain access to one of the fastest-growing localized online marketplaces and advanced classifieds without needing to access it with a social media account.

Mercari – Regardless of what you need to sell, Mercari can help you earn money in a snap. This selling app is so easy to use that all you need to do is download the app, list your items, and within 10 minutes, you can be selling your stuff.

OfferUp – Cars, jobs, apartments, and more can be found by downloading this popular selling app. OfferUp is only for iOS devices. Similar to LetGo and 5Miles, OfferUp is one of the best apps for selling items quickly.

VarageSale – Download this family-friendly app to engage with potential buyers in your community and host a virtual garage sale. VarageSale is one of the best apps of its kind.

Vinted – Download this selling app to swap or sell clothes on Vinted. Just be aware each item sold has a 19% site fee.

thredUP –  thredUP is an online consignment store where you can buy and sell high-quality secondhand clothes. You can find your favorite brands for up to 90%. In terms of clearing out your closet, thredUP makes it incredibly easy. No need to spruce up your items and take dozens or hundreds of pics. You can order a bag or a clean out kit, and send in your stuff. thredUP it pays for the shipping label. They’ll sell the clothes on your behalf, and you can earn up to 70% resale value.

You can also sell at local consignment stores like Play It Again Sports, Buffalo Exchange, Clothes Mentor, or Plato’s Closet. With kids’ stuff, I have a lot of luck selling at Once Upon a Child.

What Happens if Your Used Items Don’t Sell?

Most legitimate selling apps and websites have a policy that if your items don’t sell, you can either request a refund or relist them for free after a specific timeframe. Read the FAQs and policies thoroughly before paying to list anything. And what if you decide selling the items may not be right for you after all? Well, you can donate them. Donating your secondhand or unwanted items not only gives you a case of the “feel goods,” but it can also end up helping you at tax time by lowering your IRS bill. So, consider which is a better deal overall before deciding donating is a waste of time.

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