A woman has made over £2,500 selling her belongings on online marketplaces to make some extra money, and has shared her “biggest money-makers”.
Samantha, 50, said the side hustle is now “easier than ever” and “doesn’t take too much time” when you know what you’re doing.
Samantha said: “I’ve had lots of success using second-hand marketplaces in the past and over the last few years estimate that I’ve made thousands.
“I know I made £2,500 when we were moving house and had a clear out in the process. Most of this was furniture as well as kitchen and dining items that I had amassed over the years but no longer needed or had room for! I’ve also sold clothes and items like bags in the past but furniture was definitely the biggest money maker.”
The older generation is missing out on a sizeable average of £700 by failing to do anything about their unwanted goods, new research by Barclays has found.
According to the report, 75 percent of over 65s surveyed have an average of 18 items in their home they want to rehome, but only a quarter (26 percent) said they had considered using online marketplaces.
Whilst the main barriers to embracing digital selling included not feeling confident using the online platforms (35 percent), not knowing where to start (33 percent) and requiring help (31 percent), almost half (46 percent) of over 65s want to find out more about how to sell their items online.
Items most likely to be gathering dust and in need of a new lease of life were clothes, small furniture pieces like chairs, jewellery, and tech items – all of which over 65s wanted help selling. And for many, it may be easier than they think.
Samantha said: “What I like about selling second-hand items online is that it’s even easier than ever now. Once you know what you’re doing, it really doesn’t take too much time and I’m often surprised by how quickly items go.
“I also love the sustainability aspect too, to think that old items can continue to get use or wear and not go to landfill, you feel like you’re doing something good and making a bit of money at the same time.”
Samantha added: “There are now even more ways to sell items online and I now sell my items across different platforms. They all have different benefits and they’ve definitely improved in terms of how easy it is now.”
Providing tips for those looking into selling their pre-loved goods, Samantha said they should take the time to familiarise themselves with the platform. She added: “Research how much things are selling for and make sure you price it well or it won’t sell.”
Presenter and second-hand selling expert Sabrina Grant said: “It’s now easier than ever as selling online is often quicker than travelling to in-person marketplaces, such as auction houses or car boot sales.
“You can leave an item online until you get offered a price you’re happy with, rather than feeling pressured to sell on the spot. You reach a wider audience, and sometimes the screen makes for a great confidence boost when it comes to negotiation.”
Among many top tips people can use to declutter and monetise their items, Ms Grant said to take high-quality photos, write a detailed sales pitch, and set a competitive price based on similar items on the market.
Kirsty Adams, a Barclays Digital Eagle, which is a service offered by Barclays to provide people with tips and advice to stay up to date and safe online, added: “The vast majority of us have things we would like to clear out of our homes, and through our phones and tablets we have the opportunity to do so without ever needing to leave our front door.
“Our research reveals over 65s could boost their bank balances by selling unwanted items online.”
Barclays Digital Eagles can provide virtual support for those looking to take the first steps to selling online, or people can speak to them in person at one of their Digital Upskills sessions.
