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1. Everyone has different definitions of "New, Gently Used, lots of wear left" etc...
Always ask lots of questions and ALWAYS look at the items before buying & committing to buy!
Case in point: The other day I was going to look at a Piano Keyboard that was said to be "BRAND NEW IN BOX WITH ADAPTER". At only $50.00, it would have made it just 1/4 new cost! When we arrived the kid was sitting outside with a dirty, scratched up keyboard and apparently was missing the adapter. (HUH?!?!) He said to me, "yah well it still works pretty good and if you have batteries you can test it." Needless to say, I DID NOT buy the item. He wasted so much of mine & my BFF's time, I was not impressed.
2. As often as possible, take NICE, clear, sharp photos!
Rather than using your 4 year old cellphone camera that gives you blurry and out of focus pictures at best, pull out a real camera & take a few nice shots during daylight hours. 2 photos are better than one, 4 photos are better than 2! If you're selling clothing, I find it sells better when it's shown "on" a model, rather than lying on the ground, coat hanger, laying across furniture, etc... Even if it's too big, or doesn't fit *perfectly*, you can see the clothing details, shapes, etc.. much better on, rather than off.
Case in Point: I listed my leather jacket for sale, just put up photos of it on the hanger. No bites. Took that ad down and took photos outside ON me, even though it was a couple times too big, I stated my weight & clothing size for reference and how big the jacket was on me. The jacket sold within a couple days & the woman came knowing it would fit her well.
3. Be realistic & ready to negotiate on the price if you really want to sell it.
If you're listing items for sale and would like to bring in a certain amount of money for it, up the price a *little* and expect to be "talked down" in price. Also, don't ask outrageous "next to new" prices for used items. Unless the item is in very high demand, you won't get your asking price. It doesn't matter if you paid $400 for it 3 years ago & are only getting offers of $100 unfortunately. Prices drop as soon as you walk out of that store door with your new item!
If you're absolutely firm on a price, say so, but if it's high, don't expect to sell your item. Generally people who are looking for used items are looking for a deal, so if your item means so much to you that you would rather have it sitting & collecting dust in your closet rather than making a few bucks off of it, don't sell it.
Case in point: I sold an older iPad case that had been sitting around for a few months. I paid $25 "gently used" for it, it sold new for $50.00. I posted it for $20.00. Most people now have an iPad 2 or 3 and this case only works with the iPad 1, which was another roadblock in my selling this case. After a while with no bites, I had a woman email & offer $10.00 for it. It had been sitting on my shelf collecting dust for quite a while, so I said sure!". She was happy with her bargain & I was $10.00 richer! ;)
4. Be HONEST.
This is pretty straightforward I think, but if your item isn't brand new, don't say it is. If it doesn't work, don't say it does. If you have pets & smokers in your home, please say so. If you've used it, loved it, it's worn well but still work well & has a lot of life left in the item, just be honest and say so! A lot of peope won't care, but price accordingly. State the size as it is... I see so many listings that say something like "size small, but fits big!! So will fit a medium, smaller large too!" Huh?!?
Case in point: See #1. Ugh!
5. If you say you'll be home for pick-up, be home. If you say you'll pick up at a certain time, pick-up!
Everyone's time is precious & accounted for. You are NOT anymore important than anyone else is. Please don't waste my time or your time. If you tell me that you'll be picking up at 3:00pm, I'll be home and expect you to pick up. If I say I'll be there to pick up at a certain time, please be around & pick up your phone if you're expecting my call. Be respectable & kind.
Case in point: Yesterday I was told to call in the afternoon before showing up. I called FIVE TIMES & he never picked up. (That shoud have tipped me off right there). He emailed me at dinnertime saying it was still available if I wanted it. Ugh! You know how this ends....
6. Be safe, be smart.
Always bring a friend to pick up items, or have someone else at home if you're having someone coming to look or pick up an item. Another idea is to meet somewhere in public. A coffee shop, mall, etc... If you have a "bad feeling" about someone, follow your instinct!
Case in point: When my daughter was buying a used iPad from someone on Kijiji, I went to pick it up & we met at a local, busy coffee shop at dinnertime. He ended up being very nice man & we even chatted for a bit after the transaction. We were exchanging a large sum of money ($400 cash) and meeting in public was smart & safe on both of our parts!
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Do you buy & sell used items? Do you have any 'horror' stories to share? Any tips you can add that I may have missed?
