The standing joke in my house is that anything not nailed down will end up on eBay. But while I raise a wry smile when my kids roll their eyes as I once again grab the parcel tape, the truth behind it is very serious.
The cost of living crisis has given me many a sleepless night.
Selling stuff on sites such as eBay, Vinted, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace has become an essential source of income for me.
It is a second salary – being an inclusion support assistant is my real job. With Christmas just behind us, finances are tighter than ever for everyone. Research this week from eBay revealed that having a clear-out could earn you £1,200 by selling unwanted items.
There is money to be made from stuff such as bikes, hair dryers and even Christmas trees.
I’m a single mum to Isabel, nine, and Henry, seven. When they both came to me saying their school shoes were too tight, my heart sank.
I saw the invisible £60 floating out of my wilting bank account.
I also had to put fuel in my car, there was a water bill to pay, and, of course, food to put on the table.
With the price of everything rising, cash had been getting tighter. So this was the last thing I needed. Then... BING, I had an email from eBay.
The iPad with a cracked screen that had been in the spare room for months had sold for £80.
I was saved. And that is what has been keeping me afloat for the past couple of months, selling things online. I had always loved flogging stuff, but it had previously been a bit of extra pocket money.
But now, the £25 I got for a shower tent I used on one camping trip, and the £15 I earned for some of Isabel’s old shorts meant I could fill the fridge without worrying too much.
It’s gut-wrenching having to choose between food and fuel.
But if it’s sink or swim, I’m determined to swim. Well, doggy paddle until the crisis is over.
But who knows when that will be? It’s scary to think I may have months, perhaps years of struggling. So these selling sites have become a lifeline.
Within a week of joining Vinted I made over £100 from clothes that were gathering dust in the spare room.
But whereas before I’d pop them on sites as and when I fancied, now I actively put a few hours aside each weekend to list them.
It has become a job in itself. I’ve learned what sells on certain sites and that you may not make as much for an item on Vinted, but you sell more on it.
It is essential to get the photos right and to include as much information as possible about the item.
It can be a pain taking the trips to the post office and spending hours wrapping parcels, but it’s worth it.
My sideline, which is also decluttering my house, is keeping my head above water, and ensuring I don’t feel guilty about a trip to the cinema.
For more tips and advice, visit www.mumssavvysavings.com.
How to get the best price
One of the keys to success is not putting the price too high.
People want a bargain so if you would take £5 instead of £7, do it.
It’s £5 you wouldn’t have had before and it could prevent your items sitting there for ages.
Also, remember to send the item with the right postage.
If you don’t have proof of postage, sent in the correct packaging, people may say it hasn’t arrived or is damaged.
You then have no item and you will be out of pocket if you have to give a refund.
Also, it might seem common sense but getting the best photo of what you’re selling is vital.
People are much more likely to buy something they can see clearly than something in a dark blurry picture.
Emma Bradley, from Mums Savvy Savings, says: “Take a few good photos from different angles. Take them outside in natural light if possible, as this helps them look good.”
She adds: “Over the course of a weekend you could make a couple of hundred pounds.”
Emma Grant, from eBay UK, says buyers want a full description, including brands and sizes. She also says good photos are essential, as is not overpricing something.
She adds: “Try searching for similar items on eBay to make sure you’re going for the right price. And ask yourself ‘would I pay this price for this item?’.”
Vinted’s consumer PR lead, Natacha Blanchard, agrees that a compelling description is key to selling.
She says: “Putting ‘white dress’ is fine, but ‘white lace Ibiza dress’ is better.”
And finally, honesty will get you a long way.
Sellers are urged to mention any defects and to show signs of usage in photos.
Where to sell and what works best
Emma Bradley, who runs the blog mumssavvysavings.com agrees selling sites are very useful in times like these.
She says: “Having a good clear out and selling what you can is a great way to make money fast.”
Emma sells old clothes on Vinted is, with her top tip being to put items on hangers and be clear on sizing. “People don’t want ‘This will fit anyone from 8-14’, so be exact.”
For younger people, Emma recommends Depop, which is popular for selling and buying designer items.
While Facebook Marketplace, she adds, is ideal for larger items you don’t want to post. “Children’s toys sell well on this platform for this reason,” she says.
“There are no postage costs or commission, meaning that you set the price and receive it all.
“Collection is usually quick too, as it’s often people in your local community.”
How much difference does it make?
Research by eBay showed nearly eight out of 10 people in Britain had begun, or were considering selling items from around the home to support the rising costs of living. And four in five UK adults were concerned about the increasing inflation.
Emma Grant, head of Pre-Loved at eBay UK, said: “While selling unwanted items might not be a solution to the problem at large, it can be an effective way to make some extra cash to go towards bills or contribute to your savings for a holiday this summer.”
With more than 27 million shoppers on eBay every month, Emma said that the online marketplace could seriously help top up your bank balance.
She said: “Simultaneously you might help someone else find something they’ve been looking for, but without the hefty price tag.
“A win for you, someone else and the planet alike.”
A skateboard could earn you £23, while that old laptop could see £290 pinging its way into your bank account.
