8 Tried and True Online Selling Platforms for Offloading Your Excess Stuff
With so many online selling platforms to choose from, how do you know which ones will be the best choice for you?
The app field is crowded and it can be confusing! So today, I’m sharing 8 online selling platforms that have stood the test of time.
The key is to match what you have to sell with the platform that will maximize your return in a reasonable amount of time.
Selling your stuff is not your full-time focus, right? That’s why it’s critical you select the best venue to showcase your stuff and sell it quickly. Because you have other things to do, too!
So grab your coffee, have a seat, and let’s check out your options!
Today's Post Reviews the Pros and Cons of 8 Online Selling Platforms So You can land on the best place to sell your stuff!
Online Selling Platforms | Option 1: eBay
eBay is a pioneer in online selling, having been around for over 25 years.
It’s a gigantic auction house where over 168 million active buyers can bid on your items! With bidding situations, it can take time to receive your desired price.
In contrast, you may choose to list your item as “Buy It Now“, meaning it’s a fixed, non-negotiable price.
There is an enormous buying audience for your goods but the competition is stiff. You’re competing not only with other individual sellers. In fact, there are wholesalers and corporation, too … not to mention fierce competition from China, as well!
eBay has a built-in algorithm, geared towards helping buyers locate specific items which can also be good for sellers.
But on the flip side, customer protection …even in falsified complaint situations …. can be at the expense of a legitimate seller.
Also, it’s not free to sell on eBay. You do get 40 free listings per month, but there are additional fees. For example, there is typically a 10% transaction fee (including shipping & handling) to use this venue. Your net profit is released three days after your tracking shows delivery.
However, if you enjoy an auction-like outcome and you have the time and patience to wait for the right buyer bid, eBay is your venue.
For eBay selling details, check out the step-by-step guide here.
Or, listen to this tutorial over here.
Online Selling Platforms | Option 2: Amazon
Amazon has evolved from an online bookstore into one of the world’s most visited marketplace websites.
It boasts massive traffic volume with separate retail websites in 15 countries! This means more buyers for your stuff.
Additionally, the “Fulfillment by Amazon” service handles both customer service and shipping on your behalf. Amazon has a traditional retail structure so you sell your items at a set price. You pay a fee only when your item sells. But all this comes with higher fees and brutal competition.
In comparison to eBay, Amazon has a better reputation for customer service and offers buyer perks such as same-day or two-day shipping. But the humongous size of both these online selling venues result in the risk of getting lost in the sea of sellers
Lastly, go directly to Amazon for the latest facts on selling right here.
Online Selling Platforms | Option 3: Etsy
Etsy takes us into a narrower market when it popped on the scene in 2005.
It’s positioned as an online platform for crafters, artists and vintage aficionados. Currently ranking as #3 behind eBay and Amazon, it’s an ideal venue if you have handmade, vintage or highly unique items. Think crafting and jewelry supplies, specialty fabrics or handmade personal products.
Still, despite the exclusive focus, this venue attracts some 30 million shoppers worldwide! Similar to eBay, you’ll pay a listing fee but your Etsy listing will last for 4 months instead of just 10-30 days. This fee is charged whether or not your item sells.
The fixed pricing model is also cheaper and simpler than that of the above two powerhouses. So keep Etsy in mind if your items fit this handmade, one-of-kind product profile.
To further explore this online selling platform, head here.
Online Selling Platforms | Options 4 & 5: Bonanza and Ruby Lane
These two online selling platforms are still relative newcomers.
Nevertheless, they are on the rise and worth checking out if your items fall into the Etsy categories of unique, vintage, antique, or quirky.
Both are smaller than the preceding platforms but they have respectable reach along with more reasonable fees. They specialize further in the following sub-categories:
- Bonanza
- Think garden gnomes or taxidermy (although product diversification has been creeping in)
- Fixed price items as opposed to a bidding situation
- To get started, click here.
- Ruby Lane
- Specifically for actual antiques and vintage-style goods
- Excellent customer service reputation
- To get started, go here.
Online Selling Platforms | Options 6 & 7: FB and OfferUp
Facebook Marketplace groups are definitely trumping Craigslist these days!
Simply enter terms to find and join local groups. For example, type in “Scottsdale, AZ Buy and Sell” in the FB search bar if you live in Scottsdale, Arizona. When you click to join a group, others will be suggested to you, as well.
These groups are very popular with buyers such as young moms or small community residents looking for online garage sale deals. The sky is the limit for what goods are offered.
You are on your own with seller protection but you will also avoid listing and shipping fees. You need to “bump” or refresh your listing to stay current.
OfferUp merged with LetGo in July 2020 to create one big mobile marketplace.
It provides an easy way to sell locally with payments tendered with either cash or via Stripe, the electronic payment processing partner. There are some fees involved to consider but it’s still a compelling way to sell just about anything online.
The scoop on using OfferUp is right here.
Online Selling Platforms | Option 8: Craigslist
Craigslist is the world’s largest online classified ads website!
You can sell almost anything here. It’s super basic with no fees and no frills but you’re completely on your own to work with buyers.
Craigslist requires that you sell locally, unlike eBay and Amazon. This means that you arrange for pick-up and drop-off of your items.
When all else fails, you can shift your items to the “free” section, which can come in handy. You need to regularly refresh and repost your listing to ensure you are at the top of the category. So you save on the listing and shipping fees with this venue but you lose protection with questionable buyers, i.e., passing off counterfeit money.
Craig’s List has been around for a long time but contends with stiff competition from other online selling platforms such as FB Marketplace and OfferUp. However, it may still an active player in your community…so why not check it out?
Find a simple video with a Craigslist tutorial over here.
The Wrap: Today's post shared 8 online selling platforms to help you rehome your stuff and to deposit some dollars back in your wallet, as well!
There is definitely cash to be claimed using any of these or other online platforms.
But first do your homework! Review your things to sell with a critical eye. Realize that you have a history with the items so your emotions may skew your pricing decisions. Research how similar items are selling. Finally, understand what is entailed to close the deal.
Are you ready to turn your excess stuff into cash?
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Related Topics and Resources to Explore
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Second Hand Stores Can Be Dynamite Decluttering Partners
15 Premium Places for Selling Used Clothes to Clear Space in Your Closet
7 Timeless Tips for Decluttering your Clothes & Discovering your Next Style
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