People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of the product. Sellers are reporting the scam (with proof the return label is on a tiny envelope) but get stuck in an endless appeals process. Good luck getting eBay on the phone to help. I’d steer clear for now.
How to bring in more income in the new year by selling your stuff
Are you new to the neighborhood or want to connect with your community? Try joining a buy nothing group. Neighbors pass around items for free, which is a great way to save money on things you need and establish rapport. Tap or click here for safe ways to get free stuff from next door.
Before you give away anything, check to see if it’s valuable. You could be sitting on big bucks without knowing it. As a bonus, you can clear up some of the clutter around your home.
Many sites and apps cater exclusively to buying and selling anything you can imagine. Here’s how to get started.
First, protect your privacy
While many apps offer messaging services, you may need to exchange contact information. But you shouldn’t give your phone number to strangers. Instead, create burner numbers and email addresses for your sales accounts. Tap or click here to learn how.
Now let’s look at some of the best marketplaces to buy and sell things.
OfferUp
OfferUp is free to use and geared towards local sales. You can message interested buyers via the app to answer questions and finalize the details. You can also check people’s profiles to see their ratings and buying history.
Selling is easy. Just tap Post in the app, add clear photos of your item, and enter a title, description and details. With OfferUp, you can easily sell anything like clothes and shoes, used cars, electronics, vintage fashion and furniture.
It’s perfect for local sales. If you want to extend your range, OfferUp lets you sell nationwide. For a local sale, money changes hands in person. For goods that are shipped, payments are made through the app. Choose if you want to meet in person or mail your item nationwide.
If you meet in person, you should accept cash. You’ll get paid through the OfferUp app if you mail the item.
Transactions with cash are free for both buyers and sellers. Certain transactions, like shipped items, may include service fees or shipping costs when the item is sold.
The replacements
Some items need to be replaced more often than most of us actually do. I’ve got you covered! Even better, these household items are on sale now:
- Replace your toothbrush every three months or after you’re sick. Bacteria sits in the bristles. Grab a four-pack for 13% off now.
- Dishwashing sponges should be replaced every couple of weeks. Set yourself up for six months to a year with a 24-pack for under $10.
- You’re supposed to replace your pillow every year or so. Get a four-pack of quality down-alternative pillows to update your household ($29.99, 32% off).
- Spices lose their flavor fast, but whole spices can last for three to four years. Now you just need a spice grinder. This Ninja model is 28% off.
- At least once a year, replace your shower curtain liner to keep mold and mildew at bay. This bestselling liner is 29% off now and $11.99.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
'Buy Nothing' groups to save money
These groups let you give and get items for free, helping you save money and declutter. Find one near you and start sharing!
Speaking of Temu and Shein: Their cheap wares are for sale on Etsy, a site meant for vintage and handmade goods. Sellers are breaking the rules by listing mass-produced items, sometimes at 10 times the original price. Don’t get duped: Do a reverse image search to see if the same product pops up elsewhere.
Every last bit
I hate waste and wasting money. These items help you get every last little drop of the stuff you paid for.
- For bottles: This bottle-emptying kit ($9.86) has a base cap and three adapters you can use to replace the top on your bottle. Get every last drop of shampoo, dish soap or ketchup.
- For jars: These skinny spatulas ($4.99) are made of food-grade silicone so you can use them to get the last of your swanky eye cream or fancy truffle hot sauce.
- For tubes: A good-lookin’ and good-workin’ squeezer ($12.97) to get the last bit of toothpaste, sunscreen and any other tube-based product.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Charges you forgot about: Amazon Subscribe & Save is handy when it’s stuff you want and annoying when it’s stuff you just forgot to cancel. From Your Account, select Memberships & Subscriptions or Subscribe & Save Items to see a list of your subscriptions, costs and renewal dates.
Play to pay: At 22, Kyasia Watson is raking in over $100,000 a year from Roblox. Nope, she’s not streaming; she’s a digital fashion designer who collabs with big brands to craft in-game items, clothes and accessories for player avatars. Roblox has 77 million daily active users, btw. Cha‑ching!
👕 Toxic threads: Millions of clothing items from cheap Chinese retailer Shein are packed with toxic chemicals linked to cancer, autism and infertility. They’re sold on Amazon under different names, too, with some containing over 400 times the safe levels. Check your clothes: Drop a bead of water on the fabric. If it stays beaded up, rolls around and leaves no residue, you have a problem. Return or trash it.
I’m a clover, not a fighter: A thrifty shopper found a $655 gaming graphics card in mint condition for just $8 at Goodwill. But don’t expect the same deal anytime soon; Goodwill usually flags high-ticket items to sell on their website instead. I’m stopping by the next Goodwill I see!
More than you bargained for: Robberies are booming on Facebook Marketplace. Thieves bait you with hot items like cars and sneakers, then they jump you when you show up to buy. Step one is checking a seller’s profile to make sure it wasn’t created yesterday. Then, meet in a public place (police stations are best) and always bring a buddy.
Online selling savvy: Whether it’s a baseball card or a used car, there’s an excellent tool to determine its worth: eBay. Don’t waste time scrolling through active listings. Search for an item, then go to Filter and scroll to Sold Items. Tap or check the box to enable this filter. This gives you a better idea of the prices folks are willing to pay.
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