It’s a tough old world out there.
With more and more people struggling to get by, it can often seem like the recession’s cold grip has come back for another feel. However, if you’re still suffering from the credit crunch a few years on, there’s actually a well-worn route you can follow to raise some additional funds …
… selling your “junk” on eBay.
Indeed, eBay make it incredibly easy for us to get rid of our unwanted items, allowing us to cash in on assets we’ve long since fallen out of love with. If you can’t decide what to sell, though, simply take a look in your attic or garage to uncover a smorgasbord of possibilities.
Interestingly, according to statistics, an item of women’s clothing sells every three seconds on eBay, averaging £10 per sale. Also, a pair of women’s shoes sells every 10 seconds, for an average of £13.
It’s clear to see there’s money to be made, so take a look around your home, collect all the things you don’t want and read our guide, below, to making a mint by selling on eBay …
1. Register an Account
Before you start selling your wares, you first need to register and create a seller’s account. Simply visit the eBay home page and look for the “Sell” link in the main navigation. From there, follow the steps to create your account, but be sure to have your bank details to hand for verification.
2. Do Some Research
Much like you would before buying something, it’s important to carry out some research before you make your first eBay sale. For example, if you’re unsure how much a particular item is likely to fetch, check out similar listings in order to get the best possible price for your item.
3. Attach Good Pictures
If your item carries a great description and a reasonable price, but the pictures look as if they were taken using a potato, you can pretty much wave goodbye to sale. Nowadays, there’s no excuse for a bad picture, as most smartphones carry enough pixels to put some digital cameras to shame.
4. Get Paid
Once you’ve followed the steps above, it won’t be long until you have eager buyers snapping your hand off (not literally) in an attempt to secure the item. Before this, however, you must set up a payment method, with a PayPal account typically the only game in town for eBay users.
5. Deliver the Item
Now the item has been paid for, it’s time to send it off to the lucky recipient. Depending on where they’re located, you may need an international parcel service to help get it overseas in a cost effective manner – and that’s something that should be factored into the original item price.
