Insights + interviews
From junk to pre-loved: selling to declutter
One man’s meat is another man’s poison, or so the saying goes. Our seemingly intrinsic need to make sure all available space (at home) is filled up with purchases and acquisitions make for a case of “dude, where’s my space?”.
The latest instalment from our series sharing about how to declutter looks at how we can take information from our previous articles Decluttering: the Basics, Decluttering Your Home and Decluttering Gadgets at Home to put together items that you don’t need or want anymore; and sell them for extra cash. Perhaps to buy those gadgets we featured in the “Decluttering Gadgets at Home” article.
Declutter and sell pre-loved items on the internet
Listing and selling items on the internet has become very easy with the entry of online marketplaces. These are virtual markets where buyers and sellers come together to browse and shop for items. There are bargains to find where prices can be as low as 50 to 80 percent below retail. These markets cover categories ranging from furniture, games and toys, clothes, sports equipment and technology gadgets.
Sellers gain from having a listing, essentially an advertisement, with a unique web address, that is easy to set up and share by email, phone or social networks such as Facebook.
Here are some basic tips to list and sell your pre-loved items:
- Take good pictures of your item to show potential buyers exactly what they are getting. No one likes a boring picture.
- Spend time to write a descriptive title to help buyers browse and filter you into their carts quicker!
- Describe the item accurately. It’s a case of buyer beware but if you cry wolf too many times, you might soon develop a reputation and lose potential opportunities
- Price your items fairly. Think about how much you would pay for the item if it’s second (or third hand) and older than what’s currently on the market. Unfortunately, nostalgia and memories to you are subjective and not transferrable to the next owner.
- For safety and convenience, meet at public places to complete the delivery and the deal. If you are selling a bulky item, make sure you are not alone.
Here are two of the more popular online marketplaces to sell your pre-loved items.
1. Carousell
Carousell is a lifestyle marketplace mobile application that is available for free download from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
This service makes selling your items simple. Sellers can set up a free listing by taking photos (with your smartphone) and filling in a description. Listings are shared to the entire Singapore-based community.
When a deal is being negotiated, both buyer and seller can communicate through a chat function before arriving at a decision.
2. Gumtree
Gumtree began as a classified ads and community site before rebranding as a destination for local community classifieds. Think about the classified section in the newspapers and move that context onto the internet. The service is available on both the web browser and mobile applications. The Gumtree mobile application provides users with a personalised homepage with content that is automatically recommended based on previous browsing behavior. Sellers benefit as buyers are being provided with listings most similar to items that they are searching for.
To create a listing, sellers have to fill up a form that captures information such as item description, condition of the item and price. There is also an option to pay to promote the listing throughout the website.
Getting rid (we mean selling) of old items at flea markets
Nothing beats the thrill of the negotiation process when facing an adversary (read: prospective customer). Flea markets have been gaining in popularity with the younger demographic in Singapore as a way to earn some money selling their old items and also serve as a reason to get-together.
Taking a page from their book, active agers can also participate to declutter and sell your pre-loved items. There are several recurring flea markets that take place throughout the year. Contact the organiser directly about getting a space.
1. China Square Central Weekend Flea Market: This is one of the oldest flea markets in the nation. Open every Sunday from 11am to 6pm, sellers look to let go of collectibles, stamps, comics, watches and chinaware.
2. Fleawhere: This is one of Singapore’s biggest flea market organiser with events being held regularly. Clothes and fashion-centric products are a big hit with the crowd.
Clearing up space the easy way
Selling online or offline requires a certain amount of time to monitor, filter through offers and arrange for collection of the pre-loved item. If you are looking to declutter and clear your space quick, consider donating your items instead. Look at this as “paying it forward”. Someone somewhere might wind up with your old clothes, shoes or bags and it can help them through a rough patch, a tough time or just provide them with basic comfort.
The Salvation Army accepts donation of pre-loved and even new items to their “Donation in Kind” booths located throughout the island. Their social enterprise unit – Red Shield Industries – will process the items and retail those that are still in good condition at their Family Thrift Stores. They also take donations of bulky items such as furniture and electronic applicances; collection services (at donor’s cost) can also be arranged.
2. Singapore Really Really Free Market:
This is a different type of flea market. There’s no need to rent a booth or register or pay. You bring your items to the location, place them on mats and people pick up what they want from you. You give away what you can, take what you want. Remember to bring your own portable chair if you intend to stick around.
*Click on the links in blue to access the service provider’s website.
