When I first became a stay-at-home mom, we went from being a two-income family to a one-income family. Even though I had planned financially for this transition, I was surprised at how quickly my savings dwindled down.
To help pay for all of the activities that my daughter and I were enrolled in, I started to sell stuff online and in person. I sold books, CDs, used baby gear, clothes, shoes, handbags, and furniture.
In fact, I still sell stuff online today. It’s quick and easy, and it gives me some extra spending cash.
If you’re looking to make extra money, declutter your home, or simplify your life, here are over 100 places in different categories where you can sell stuff online and in person for cold hard cash!
Antique and Vintage Items
Do you have vintage items or antiques that you no longer want or need? Then sell them online. Set up an online account, list your items, and get paid minus a small user fee.
Arts, Crafts, and Handmade Items
Do you make gorgeous jewelry or hand-knit scarves? Then sell your handmade goods on websites like Etsy. Each platform functions as an online marketplace or shop where potential buyers can browse and purchase your wares. Listing fees and commission rates will vary depending on the platform.
Books
Do you have old books lying around the house? Then sell them on one of the many online bookselling platforms. Just type in your book’s ISBN, get an instant quote, send your books in using a prepaid postage label, and once your books are received, get paid by check or PayPal.
Car
If you’re in the market for a new car, you have two options when it comes to selling your old one. You can trade it into the dealership, or you can sell it on your own, which typically yields higher monetary returns. But don’t worry, you don’t have to take out an ad and hope for the best; instead, try out one of these online marketplaces or apps.
CDs, DVDs, and Video Games
No longer listen to your CDs? Do you have old video games or DVDs overcrowding your precious storage space? Then sell them online for quick and easy cash. Just scan your CD, DVD, or video game barcode, get a quote, and send your items in using a free shipping label. Once your items are received, you’ll get paid by check or PayPal.
Cell Phones and Electronics
Have old electronics that you no longer use? Then sell your old smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers online. Search for your device on the designated platform, get a quote, ship your order, and get paid via check or PayPal. You may also want to check your cell phone provider or retailer that sold you your device to see if they have a trade-in program. I’ve been able to get huge discounts on new phones and laptops by trading in my old devices to places like Verizon, Apple, and AT&T.
Clothes Online
Do you have outgrown children’s clothing or styles that you no longer wear? Then sell your clothes online. Each platform works differently — but makes it easy as pie to sell your used clothing items.
Designer Handbags, Purses, and Accessories
Have a designer handbag or accessory that you’re no longer excited about? Then sell it online. Just submit your details along with a photo, get a quote, ship your item off using a free pre-paid shipping label, then get cash when the company receives and authenticates your item.
Furniture
If you’re getting new furniture, or you’re moving in with your partner, and you have duplicate items, you can make good money selling your furniture online. I’ve sold sofas, dining room tables, dressers, and even a mattress! Since furniture is on the larger side, you’ll want to make sure that you clearly state what delivery options are available. If you own a pickup truck, sellers can consider delivering the item for an additional fee as well.
Gift Cards
Have you ever received a gift card for a store that you don’t shop at or that’s not near your home? Then sell those unwanted gift cards online. Enter the card’s unique barcode number, get a quote, send them in, and get paid via check, PayPal, or direct deposit.
House
While most people use a local realtor to buy or sell their homes, there’s a new wave of online sites that will help DIYers sell their homes with or without guidance.
Jewelry
Do you have jewelry from an old boyfriend? Have you gone through a divorce? If so, get rid of those old memories and sell your old jewelry online for cash!
Knowledge and Expertise
Are you looking to make money from home but have no idea what to do? Then consider selling your expertise online; musicians, cooks, life coaches, teachers, doctors, nurses, electricians, and crafters can all sell their know-how. Today there’s a multitude of online platforms that allow you to set up shop and instruct via phone, email, and video chat. Some platforms allow you to set up shop for free, accept payments, and even market yourself. Just be sure to read all of the fine print before joining so you understand what service fees are involved.
Sell Freelance Services
Are you a web designer, writer, tech guru, marketing major, or administrative professional? Then make some money by selling your services on micro job sites. With these sites, you can set up a free profile advertising your freelance services; you can also browse and bid on projects. Once the service has been completed, the company will take a transaction fee, and you’ll get the remaining amount.
Photos
Do you love to take pictures? Then sell your images online. Register to be a contributor, upload your photos and earn money whenever a buyer downloads your content.
Random New and Used Items
Sell your random new and used items online. Each site varies in nature but makes it easy to reach a larger audience and receive your payouts online. Popular items to sell include toys like legos, bikes, tools, musical instruments, home decor, baby gear, shoes, and more!
Sporting Goods
If you have sports equipment or camping gear that you no longer use, consider selling it on these online selling platforms. These platforms are great for selling old sports gear and clothing that your kids no longer fit into or are no longer interested in. After all, those ski jackets and pants can expensive, especially if you have to replace them every year!
T-Shirts
Are you a skilled graphic designer, or do you have a catchy phrase for a t-shirt or coffee mug? Then use your talent to design and sell t-shirts and merchandise online. Most platforms allow you to set up shop for free, name your prices, and then you earn a percentage of each sale. You can even cross-promote your listings on social media sites for more exposure and sales!
Used Makeup
Have you ever purchased makeup only to find it’s the wrong shade? Don’t throw those items away — you can sell and trade them online. Glambot requires items to be certain brands, have at least 50% of the product left, and items can not be expired. You must also ship 15 full-size items at a time. Pretty interesting concept, but I have yet to try this one out.
Wedding, Bridesmaid, Flower Girl, and Prom Dresses
Is the big event over? Then sell your lightly used formal wear, shoes, and accessories online. Submit your listing (some sites do require a listing fee), let them promote it, and get paid minus a small commission fee.
Selling In Person
If you’re willing to venture out, you can also easily sell your used stuff locally at stores like:
- Buffalo Exchange – clothing, shoes, and jewelry
- GameStop – games, hardware, consoles, controllers, headsets, and phones
- Half Price Books – books, CDs, DVDs, games, and comics
- Music Go Round – music instruments, gear, and equipment
- Plato’s Closet – clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Play It Again Sports – sporting goods
- Once Upon a Child – kids’ clothing, shoes, toys, and baby gear
- Style Encore – clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories
Besides these well-known franchises, you can also sell stuff at local consignment stores and pawn shops. I’ve personally found that I make the most money selling through sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. They don’t take a percentage of the sale, so you earn more, but you’re required to take photos, write the description, and meet to exchange the goods.
One word of caution. If you’re selling in person and meeting strangers to exchange your items, be sure to do it during daytime hours in a well-trafficked public place. If you can, bring your partner or a friend with you, or at least let someone else know your meetup plans so they can keep tabs on you.
Selling on Social Media Platforms
One place you may not have considered selling stuff online is your social media platforms. With visual platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, you can sell products directly from your personal account or set up a business page and online shop.
If you set up a seller account on one of these platforms, you can import listings from your own store (like Shopify) or add items manually. When a sale is made, these platforms will deduct a processing fee from the total sale amount. If you decide to sell items off your personal profile, group page, or Facebook Marketplace, you’ll either need to arrange local pickup or shipping on your own. You’ll also need to decide how you’re going to collect payments (cash, Venmo, PayPal, or Square).
For more info on setting up a social media shop, check out these articles:
Have a Garage Sale
If you have a lot of stuff to sell, or if you have neighbors and friends that want to sell stuff too, you have a weekend garage sale. This is a good way to get rid of your used items quickly while making a little extra money. The downside of having a garage sale is people often try to lowball sellers on prices, so you’ll likely make less money going this route than selling individual items. For advice on how to have a successful garage sale, check out these tips.
Tips For Selling Items Online
Most of the time, when you sell your stuff online, you’ll need to take some pictures and write a description for the item you’re selling. However, before you start the listing process, make sure that your items are looking their best by cleaning them up. Looks do matter when you’re selling, and the more pristine your item is, the more money you can earn.
Once your item is cleaned up, you’re ready to take some photos. Be sure to have a clean and clutter-free background with good lighting. You’ll also want to take multiple shots of the image, so the potential buyer can see all the details of the item.
Along with your images, you’ll want to write a descriptive blurb about the item, including all the keywords a potential customer might be searching under. For example, if you’re selling a sofa, you’ll also want to include the word couch in your listing. Other aspects to include in your listing include size, material, color, condition, brand, price, and smoke-free or pet-free home for people with allergies.
You should also list the payment methods you’re willing to accept; generally, this will be cold hard cash. If you trust the person, for instance, you’re selling on Facebook and see that the person is a friend of a friend, you can use a cash app like Venmo. Unfortunately, you do need to be on the lookout for scammers – they are everywhere! Never accept checks, give out your bank account number, or give the item to the person without payment in hand. The FTC has more scam prevention tips for selling items online.
Best Websites to Sell Stuff Online
Selling stuff online has never been easier! If you need to make money fast, look around for items you’re no longer using and sell them on one of these third-party websites or apps.
Did we miss an online selling platform? Please drop us a note below, and maybe your suggestion will end up on our list. What stuff do you sell online?
Originally published on October 10, 2014. Content updated February 2024.
