I like buying things… I can point to everything in my house and tell you exactly why it was “necessary” at that particular time and moment. That time and moment, however, has since passed on many items, and they need to find renewed purpose in another home. The thought of a garage sale makes my head want to explode. The sorting, tagging, set up, waiting, making change, all of it – no, thank you! So how do I get rid of stuff? Craigslist, of course! I’ve sold and purchased a ton of items using this virtual garage sale web site, and think it’s better than sliced bread. It does have its quirks, however… here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years that have helped me move things out in a hurry:
- Create an account with Craigslist
It’s free and easy. They don’t spam or sell your address. They will, however, keep track of all your ads for you so when something expires, you don’t have to re-enter all the text. You will still need to re-upload pictures, but it’s a huge time-saver, since in many markets CL ads only last 7 days. Having an account also gives you a color-coded, at-a-glance view of your listings, which make them easier to manage.
- Price your item appropriately
As much as it might hurt to let your former special-something go for a low price, remember that you’re getting absolutely nothing by having it sit in your house and take up space. Real-estate in a garage or closet are often priceless.
- Search your competition on Craigslist prior to listing
Craigslist is all about timing. It may just be your bad luck that you are one of many sellers selling the same item. You can either price your item lower, or hold off for a week or so until the competition sells. I’ve actually gotten more money for an item by taking it off and waiting a couple of weeks. Also, consider timing for season-appropriate items. Selling your old snowboard boots will be much easier to do in December than June, for example.
- Take excellent pictures
To prevent surprise walk-aways, post very good pictures of your items
from multiple angles. If you’re selling something NIB, post a picture that shows a sealed box. If you’re selling a name brand item, make sure to include a picture of the brand insignia. If you’re selling an item that reflects wear, photograph the wear marks. Consider this: The buyers will see the item in all its honest glory when they arrive, so save both of you some time and let them know what to expect.
- Be detailed in your product description
If you want to limit the amount of correspondence required with potential buyers, put as much info into your posting as possible. I frequently go to Amazon.com to obtain product information (dimensions, features, etc…) since I often can’t remember this info. Note that cut-and-pasting product information is fine from web sites, but using manufacturer photos is misrepresenting your item unless you explicitly state that the photo is not your item.
- Use keywords at the end of your posting
To increase traffic to your item, post keywords at the bottom of your listing. By doing this, your ad will pull up more often for those searching for a similar item. Buyers will otherwise only see your add if they search for a specific word that is present in your title/ad.
These keywords can be similar names for your item (If you’re selling a TV stand, you might also want to list: “*Key words: Media Center, Cabinet, Table, Storage”) or words that describe a similar aesthetic/style (If you have a Pottery Barn couch for sale, you might also want to list: “*Keywords: Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Sofa, Sectional”)
- Be specific about your payment and terms
Since I’m not interested in dealing with bounced checks, I always write “Cash only, thanks” after the price in my listings. Also, if you’re selling a large item, it’s a good idea to list “U-haul” or “U-load” in your posting so the buyer doesn’t expect you to be free to help him/her move, load, or secure the item.
- Always ask for a contact number when you make an appointment to meet
This will always put the ball in your court since buyers are notoriously flaky on CL when it comes to appointments. I usually reply with my cell phone # and ask them for one as well, “just in case something comes up”. If you happen to schedule your meeting several days out, it’s always a good idea to call and confirm the day before.
- When possible, meet the buyer in a public place or outside your home
I’m pretty sure most of the people buying my old baby gates aren’t out to harm me, but common sense applies here. Since I’m often alone with two kids that don’t seem to have any sense of stranger danger or even understand why they should be wearing pants around our house, I often move an item to my front porch or garage prior to a CL exchange and do not meet buyers after dark. Another alternative option is to arrange a meeting in a public space such as a parking lot or coffee shop.
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