Selling second hand products online

Selling second hand items online has become a lucrative venture. Whether you are looking to clear out space in your closet, earn some extra cash or simply live a more sustainable lifestyle, online second hand sales platforms provide an excellent opportunity to give your used items a new lease on life.

Content:

• Using a platform to sell second hand products
• Creating an online store
• Wholesalers and suppliers
• How to start selling second hand products

Why sell second hand products?

Selling second hand items presents several advantages. Firstly, it promotes sustainability by extending the lifespan of garments or other products, reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion, for example. This resale market contributes to a circular economy, minimizing waste and conserving resources.

‘The resale market contributes to a circular economy, minimizing waste and conserving resources.’

Economically, selling used items allows individuals to earn extra income or recoup some of their initial investment. Moreover, it provides affordable options for buyers who may not have the means to purchase brand-new items.

Choose the right platform

Instead of creating a new online store to sell your second hand items, you can also use an existing platform. There are many options, like eBay, Vinted and more. These already have a large audience reach, making it easier to find buyers. Each platform has its own audience and unique features, so it is important to choose based on what you are selling and who your target audience is.

‘Each platform has its own audience and unique features.’

Vinted

Vinted was specifically tailored for clothing when it started. However, it has added functionalities over recent years. This has resulted in a larger product range, such as board and video games, shoes, books and pet supplies. Because of that, instead of a second hand clothing app, it has now become a large second hand marketplace.

Vinted differentiates itself from other marketplaces in the fact that it is a c2c marketplace. Most sellers on the platform are consumers, which gives the platform a sense of community. Additionally, prices are often lower than on other platforms, since there are no businesses driving up prices.

Adding items on Vinted is pretty simple.

It is pretty easy to add items for sale on the app. Sellers will need to add a title, a product description, product category and brand name. They also need to include information about the state of the product. If there is slight damage, sellers should also include a picture showing the damaged part. Based on the brand, product category and state, the app will advise you about a price range.

As there are a lot of other sellers on the platform, actually making a sale can be quite difficult. Especially if you want to make a profit from your sales. Most sellers add products for very low prices, in an effort to compete with other sellers.

Notable features of Vinted include buyer protection and the flexibility to ship items through various logistical companies such as Homerr, Mondial Relay and DPN.

For orders below 500 euros, sellers pay a fee of 70 euro cents and 5 percent of the product price. Orders over 500 euros, cost a seller just 2 percent of the product price. You could also ‘boost’ your product, to increase visibility. Costs depend on the product price, duration of the boost and whether or not you want to boost the product internationally. You could also pay 6.95 euros for a ‘Wardrobe Spotlight’. Your entire wardrobe, all products that you have uploaded, will then be promoted around shoppers who are likely to buy them.

eBay

eBay is another established, large marketplace. It is well-known for its product range in electronics and tools. You could also try selling other second hand items there.

eBay started out as a platform where consumers sold their used products to other consumers. While there are still second hand products on the platform, there are a lot of new items on it as well. Additionally, a large amount of sellers are businesses. This means that there is a very high volume of items listed, making it harder to get your products noticed.

‘Building a solid reputation as a seller takes time.’

However, the amount of visitors on this marketplace is also high. Building a solid reputation as a seller will take time. An additional downside to eBay is the challenge of estimating shipping costs for your sold items and understanding the fees charged by eBay. This uncertainty can make it difficult to determine your overall expenses and profits on the platform.

The platform charges sellers for 11 percent for orders worth up to 1990 euros. If your order is worth more than 1990 euros, it will be charged with a sellers fee of 2 percent. Additionally, sellers pay a set fee of 0.05 euros for orders worth less than 10 euros. If the order value is higher, sellers pay 0.35 euros.

Per month, you can upload up to 200 items for free. After that, you will need to pay an upload fee of 0.35 euros. However, if you are selling second hand items, chances are that you will not be adding more than 200 items a month.

Facebook Marketplace

If you have a Facebook account, you can use the social network’s own marketplace as well. Facebook Marketplace is a rather personal platform, as items are connected to the seller’s own personal account. Still, there is an abundance of items listed, typically at affordable prices. One of the advantages of Facebook Marketplace is the absence of intermediary fees.

‘One of the advantages of Facebook Marketplace is the absence of intermediary fees.’

That advantage means that the competition on this platform is also fierce. A lot of other users are trying to clear out their wardrobe by putting their items on the marketplace. That makes it harder to actually make a sale.

If you do make a sale, you and your buyer will need to agree on how the item will be transferred. Is the buyer picking it up? Or will you need to send it with a logistics company? Facebook Marketplace does not automatically connect you with couriers, in contrast to the abovementioned platforms. If you are planning to only sell clothes casually, then this platform could be a good fit. Otherwise, we suggest using a platform that has integrations with parcel couriers.

Creating an online store with second hand items

Instead of selling vintage items through established platforms, you can also start your own online store. To do that, you will need to choose ecommerce software before you can start selling. You will then create your own website with an online checkout. With most types of modern ecommerce software, you do not need any coding skills.

You will need to put in time and effort to attract people, or traffic, to your website.

However, it can be quite difficult to gain a customer base. You will need to put in time and money, for advertisements for example to attract people to your website. If you are only going to sell a couple of items, then maybe this venture will not be worth it. Do you have an extensive vintage collection, for example, and do you want to establish your own brand? Then having a website where customers can buy your items is essential.

Looking for ecommerce software to start selling in Europe? Webador and Shopify are platforms that are well optimized for cross-border ecommerce.

Types of second hand items to sell online

As there is a lot of competition, you will need to differentiate your online store from others. A good way to do that is by picking a niche. Instead of selling a bunch of second hand items from several categories, think of an online store selling vintage mirrors or cabinets.

Types of second hand items that are often sold online:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Home decor
• Games
• Books
• Cars
• Watches
• Consumer electronics
• Toys

Buying from wholesalers or suppliers

You could start building your online store with items that you own and want to get rid of. To clean out your closet space, for example. If you want to sell a larger product range, you will probably need to acquire these second hand items first, unless you already have a large collection. There are ways to find products to sell online, like going to flea markets or trade fairs.

Buying second hand items from suppliers or wholesalers is a little bit more challenging than buying new products. Mostly because there are fewer suppliers offering this kind of product. Additionally, most wholesalers want to be sure that you have enough funds and customers to place repeat orders in the future. Because of that, the minimum order amount at a wholesaler is often pretty high. They also want to know your monthly traffic to your website, if you already have that.

Adding second hand products to your online store

With the right software, you can actually start selling. One of the most crucial aspects of online sales is the presentation of your products. Ensure that you take clear, high-quality photos that highlight the details of the item. Buyers want to know what to expect, so take the time to write a detailed description of the item.

Mention the item’s condition, any defects and why you are selling it. Transparency increases the confidence of potential buyers.

Set a reasonable price

Pricing is a delicate balance. Overpriced items will be harder to sell, while underpriced items diminish your potential profit. Conduct research on similar items and set a reasonable price based on the condition and popularity of your item.

Also, consider the bidding system if available. This can encourage competition and make your item more appealing to buyers.

Promote your products

Don’t let your products get lost in the big amount of online offerings. Take advantage of the marketing opportunities on a platform or on Google. You can also share your listings on social media or using paid advertisements.

‘Increasing visibility enhances the chances of making a sale.’

Increasing visibility enhances the chances of making a sale. Create attractive, catchy headlines and share your listings in relevant groups or forums to expand your reach.

Enter the right search terms

The more precise and diverse your search terms, the higher the chances of your advertisement being discovered on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Vinted. A bit of variety won’t hurt, so don’t just stick to ‘wrap dress’.

Also include terms like ‘dress’ and ‘summer dress’ in your text or descriptions where applicable. Avoid using irrelevant terms or gimmicks like ‘free’ if they don’t apply. It only leads to frustration and won’t attract additional buyers.

Reliability and communication

Reliability is essential in online sales. Ensure that you respond promptly to potential buyers’ inquiries and be honest about the condition of your items. Quick and clear communication builds trust and can make the difference between retaining or losing a potential buyer.

Consider shipping and packaging

A smooth shipping experience is crucial for positive feedback. Choose a reliable shipping method and quality packaging. Clearly state the estimated shipping time and any additional costs. Consider offering free shipping, as this can be attractive to buyers.

Conclusion

Successful online second hand sales require planning, dedication and a good understanding of the chosen platform. Through high-quality product presentation, honest communication and thoughtful management of your online platform you can build a thriving online store.