How to Sell Items Online

Spring Cleaning just got profitable. Learn how to earn money selling things around your house using the internet.

Things You'll Need

• Computer, digital camera, internet access

Instructions

1. 

   Take an inventory of items around your house that you would like to sell. For unique items, you will want to take a picture so your item is more likely to sell. You also want to research where you might get the most money for the items you sell, taking into account listing fees and closing fees.

2. 

   Upload pictures from your camera to your computer. Some computers might just let you plug in your memory card for faster upload, while others you will need a USB cord to attach the camera to the computer. It's best to find where all your pictures of items for sale are by creating a special folder, entitled Auctions or Items for Sale.

3. 

   Log onto websites and post items. For DVDs, CDs, video games, and books, the best avenue to sell them is through www.half.com or www.amazon.com. This is because there is no cost to list your items. Traffic flow through Amazon is usually greater and you can usually make a bit more per item over Half.com. If you think you will sell more than 30 items a month, join Amazon as a preferred seller- this way you pay $30 a month to list versus having Amazon take .99 per item you sell. Amazon is a great avenue to sell virtually everything you own, from board games to electronics. Check into your seller account to manage your prices often so you can be sure you will have the best price and be able to sell your items quickly.

4. 

   For other items you would like to sell individually, great websites are www.ebay.com and www.craigslist.org. Craigslist is free to post and sell items online so I prefer to go this route-you put a fixed price you would like for the item versus an online auction at Ebay. You might be able to get more money for your item on Ebay, though you will have to pay an insertion fee, and final value fee. You get one free picture upload with Ebay, and can put additional pictures on for additional fees as well.

5. 

   Finally if you would prefer to sell a group of items and are looking for a particular group that you feel will benefit from this, join Yahoo! online newsgroups. I have found that a great place to sell used children's clothing and toys are through online newsgroups that are centered around children. This is also a great place to find someone to donate items to that are truly in need, and it gets rid of that extra clutter around your house.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you charge sufficient postage when putting items onto Ebay. Try not to put too high of shipping charges on Ebay or your item might not sell, but make sure you charge enough to cover the shipping charges. Go to the post office quickly after your item sells so you get good feedback-negative feedback can really hinder future sales through that particular website so try to ensure your buyers are happy. I highly recommend paying the extra money for delivery confirmation so you can track that a package has reached its destination accordingly.

• For items that have little resell value, you might look to trade items online at such websites as www.swaptree.com or www.freepeats.org.

• Be wary of giving people on Craigslist your home address and do not respond to any ads that may appear to be fraudulent-these usually include the potential buyer offering to pay by cashier's check and asking for your address, phone number, etc.