Sell, Clear, Sort: Your Guide to Decluttering for Profit
Turn unwanted items into cash. Follow our step-by-step guide to declutter, value and sell your items through Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Car Boot Sales.
Step 1: Gather and Sort Your Unwanted Treasures
The first step to making money from your unwanted items is to gather them all in one place and sort them into manageable categories.
Collect and Categorise
Go room by room, identifying items you no longer need or use. Sort these into categories like Electronics, Clothing, Collectibles, Furniture, Tools and Toys.
Assess Condition
Check the condition of each item. Clean items thoroughly, repair where possible, and group similar items together.
Evaluate Value and Effort
Separate items into three tiers based on their potential value (High: £50+, Medium: £10-£50, Low: £0-£10) and the effort required to sell them (Easy, Moderate, Hard).
Step 2: Value and Choose Your Selling Platforms
Choosing the right platform is key to maximising your returns. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, so match your items accordingly.
Check sold listings on eBay and Facebook Marketplace to gauge realistic prices. Bundle low-value items to increase attractiveness (e.g., "Bundle of baby clothes for £15").
Step 3: Master the Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is ideal for local sales. Here’s how to make the most of it:
1
Snap Clear Photos
Use good lighting and show any defects clearly.
2
Craft a Concise Title
E.g., "iPhone 11 128GB – Excellent Condition".
3
Set a Fair Price
Check similar listings and slightly overprice to allow for haggling.
4
Include Key Details
Brand, condition, dimensions (if applicable).
Enable local pickup to avoid postage hassles. Respond quickly to messages, but be wary of time-wasters and scammers.
Step 4: Conquer eBay for Wider Reach
eBay is your go-to for collectibles and reaching a national audience:
Detailed Listings
Create a detailed listing with multiple images.
Auction or Fixed Price?
Use auction for rare/high-demand items.
Competitive Pricing
Set a competitive starting price (e.g., 70% of what similar items sold for).
Shipping Savvy
Factor in shipping costs using eBay’s built-in calculator.
Enable buyer protections by accepting PayPal and tracking shipments.
Step 5: Car Boot Sales for Speedy Clearance
Car Boot Sales are perfect for clearing out low-value items quickly:
Sort Items
Sort low-value items into sections (clothes, toys, household items).
Label Prices
Clearly label prices or use colour-coded stickers.
Bring Change
Bring a float of small change (£1 and 50p coins).
Be prepared to haggle and offer multi-buy deals (e.g., “3 books for £5”). Have bags ready for smoother transactions.
Step 6: Final Clearance and Responsible Disposal
Don't let unsold items linger. Here’s how to clear them out responsibly:
1
After 2 Weeks
Reduce prices for slow-selling Facebook/eBay items.
2
After 4 Weeks
Donate unsold items to charity shops.
3
Offer Freebies
Offer remaining items on local freebie groups or Freecycle.
4
Recycle
Recycle anything unsellable.
Maximise Profit and Efficiency: Expert Tips
Boost your earnings and streamline your selling process with these final tips:
1
Batch Tasks
Photograph all items at once and list in bulk.
2
Automate
Repost listings weekly to stay visible.
3
Beware Scammers
Ignore requests for courier pickup and fake payment links.
4
Track Sales
Use a simple spreadsheet to monitor listings and earnings.
Set a deadline – if something doesn’t sell in a set time, move it on!