Let’s face it, we could all do with making a little extra money at the moment. Whether you are looking for a side hustle to supplement your regular income or you are just wanting to make some extra spending money, selling online is a great way to do it!
Don’t worry if you don’t have enough to time make or design any new products to sell because this lucrative side hustle is centred on what you already have. Did you know you could be sat on a small fortune already? Many second-hand items are selling like crazy at the moment which makes it the perfect time to start digging around the house and selling online.
From electronics to peculiar, vintage finds, you would be astounded by what is selling at the moment. So if you want to make money selling online, you will not be short of potential items!
I have been selling online for many years now so I thought I would use this guide to tell you all about what I think are the best 12 second-hand items to sell to make money online. Don’t worry if you are a beginner as I will also provide tips on where to sell and how to set up your listings to maximise your profits.
1. Electronics
Firstly, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that electronics are in high demand in the second-hand market. With many people turning away from buying brand new tech due to the astronomical costs, that means second-hand tech is getting a new burst of attention! From old phones to games consoles, laptops to headphones, I am sure we all have something lying around!
To sell second-hand electronics successfully online, ensure they are in good working condition and include all necessary accessories. Make sure to show everything clearly in the photos and provide detailed descriptions including the year, make and model of whatever you are selling.
There are specific websites that will buy your tech off you but I have found that you will get a much better price by taking the time to sell your items yourself on marketplaces like eBay.
2. Clothes
Another major online seller is second-hand clothing. With everyone trying to be more environmentally friendly, it seems like fast fashion is slowly taking a back seat as people favour buying second-hand. Personally, I have been buying second-hand clothes almost exclusively for over a year now and it has saved me so much money, I don’t think I will ever go back!
Selling second-hand clothing can be tricky as it is quite a flooded market, but with the right strategy and good product photos I have found it to be incredibly profitable.
Don’t get me wrong, people don’t want your worn out hoodie! Carefully sort through your wardrobe and select items that are in good condition but just aren’t your thing anymore.
Well-lit photos are a must so that buyers can see the details and real colours of your item. And if there are any small faults with an item make sure to write that clearly in the description and show it if you can. People will still buy it, they just need to be informed first!
To sell second-hand clothes, I would highly recommend using Poshmark (sign up with code THEDGES237 for £5 FREE) or Vinted.
3. Vintage or Retro Items
You know what they say…
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
You may be surprised by how many vintage items that you have forgotten about that would be well worth selling. Many marketplaces loosely define “vintage” to be items that are more than 20 years old.
To sell vintage items there is nowhere I would recommend more than Etsy. I have been using Etsy for nearly a decade now and as it is one of the few marketplaces that allow vintage pieces, it is almost a no-brainer!
Selling on Etsy will mean you can ask for a higher price than some other marketplaces. But unfortunately that means Etsy does come with higher fees to pay and a bit more work. If you have quite a few vintage pieces though, it is well worth it!
I have included my handy beginner’s guide to getting started on Etsy so you can get selling as soon as possible!
4. Furniture
Affordable furniture will always be a sought-after commodity. After all, no one moves into a new place and has unlimited money to spend on furnishings!
Obviously, depending on the size of the piece, there may be some logistical issues when it comes to delivery. That is why if you have some much bigger items like sofas and tables I would recommend selling on Gumtree so your buyer will come to you to pick the item up.
In order to sell second-hand furniture online successfully, clean and stage each piece to showcase its potential. Take photos from multiple angles and include measurements to help buyers visualise the item in their space.
Of all the second-hand items to sell, furniture can be one of the most time-consuming, but stick with it! It often ends up being the most profitable and most rewarding!
5. Books
Books are timeless treasures that appeal to both collectors and budget-conscious readers. As someone who has recently got heavily into reading again, I can’t tell you how many second-hand books I have bought recently (I think I might be getting a little bit addicted to scrolling through Vinted in search of new books!).
If you have a lot of old books that are taking up too much space I have found the most lucrative place to sell is on Amazon.
How much you can earn will depend on the condition and number of books you have to sell, but some types of books often fetch more than others. If you have any educational course or textbooks left over from your university days then they are really worth selling as they could sell for more than £35 each!
Amazon have a great, simple set up for you to list your books, and as they are one of the biggest retailers in the world, there will be no shortage of buyers for your items!
6. Shoes
The second-hand shoe market is surprisingly large! I have to say I wasn’t quite sure about the idea of wearing someone else’s shoes. But that’s where the term “gently used” comes in. If you look at many listings online, you will see that many people buy shoes for a certain occasion and then sell them on. This often means that the shoes are almost as good as new!
So if you have any shoes that have barely been worn you could be sitting on a small fortune!
Selling second-hand shoes online requires attention to detail. Clean and polish each pair before photographing them in good lighting to highlight their condition. My top tip is to show the bottoms of the shoes in the photos to prove to your buyer that they have not been heavily worn.
Provide clear and accurate sizing information to avoid returns. I often say the size and then if I think it comes up a little big or a little small, just to give the buyer a better idea.
Once again I would suggest selling on either Vinted or eBay; their shoe market is very similar so just go with your preferred platform.
7. Cameras
Cameras and photography equipment are very popular items in the second-hand market. As most people use their phones to take photos now, the photography world has reduced to a slightly more niche market. But that means if you have some good quality cameras then there are more eager camera enthusiasts ready to buy them from you.
When selling cameras online, providing detailed specifications is key along with highlighting any unique features or accessories you have included. One trick is to include a couple of high-quality photos that have been taken with the camera itself to showcase its picture quality.
From my findings, eBay is definitely the best place to sell any and all cameras and equipment. Just make sure to check or remove any memory cards before you sell it! You don’t want to lose or give your buyer your personal photos!
8. Musical Instruments
Although it is a niche market, musical instruments can fetch a good price in the second-hand market. For beginners, it is often not worth buying a brand new instrument yet, as they don’t know if they will properly take to it.
Make sure to clean the instrument thoroughly before listing it for sale to make sure you are not passing on any germs or dust. Provide accurate descriptions of its condition and sound quality along with clear photos from different angles, including any identifying brands or serial numbers. I would once again suggest eBay for these types of sales as that is where most buyers go for miscellaneous items!
9. Toys and Board Games
Toys and Board games often get forgotten under the bed or in the back of the cupboard. But if you are never going to play with them again then you are missing out on free money!
Like many other items, you will need to check the condition of the item before you sell it. Aim for “gently used” items that can be easily cleaned. With board games, make sure that it can be played again. I know some escape room type games are single use only so they would not be very useful second-hand!
From experience I know that many toys and games sell very well on eBay. And if you happen to have any collectible toys then you could make a small fortune! Just make sure to safely package any more delicate toys for shipping to ensure they arrive in perfect condition- there’s nothing worse than receiving a broken toy!
10. Kitchen Appliances
Second-hand kitchen appliances can be very profitable if cleaned and marketed correctly.
And I can almost guarantee you have some appliances lying around that you are never going to use again. I mean, are you honestly going to need the spiralizer again?!
Clean and test each appliance before listing it for sale and provide clear photos of its condition and functionality. The key to selling bigger, more expensive items is to offer competitive prices based on other items on the marketplace. And if you are offering additional accessories, make sure to shout about them in your listing!
Some kitchen appliances like mixers and air fryers can be quite heavy so you could offer local pickup instead of standard delivery options.
11. Baby Clothes and Items
Being a new parent is a very expensive game. That means parents are always on the lookout for affordable baby gear, clothing, toys, and furniture.
The good news is, is that once your baby has grown then you will be left with copious amounts of baby clothes and items that you won’t need and may not have ever used!
As long as your items are in clean, good condition then you will quite easily be able to find a buyer. One great tip is to bundle clothes together based on age group so you can sell in bulk.
I would suggest using Vinted for any baby clothes and smaller items and then perhaps look at eBay for bigger items such as strollers and cribs. Price your items competitively and remember to provide detailed photos and descriptions with every listing.
12. Branded Handbags
Finally, I wanted to finish with handbags! Definitely a girl’s best friend but perhaps, more surprisingly, one of the best second-hand sellers!
They don’t necessarily have to be designer either! Known brands such as Radley and Osprey sell particularly well.
My mum and I found a few spare handbags last summer so decided to sell them on eBay. They sold so well and so quickly that my mum started buying and selling more! On a few occasions she would be selling 15 per day!
We found the key to selling second-hand handbags is definitely condition. If there is a small scratch, don’t panic, just make sure to show it in the photos. It is the sellers who don’t disclose the full condition of the bag that may face refund requests.
Handbags sell well on both eBay and Vinted but we found that you are more likely to get a slightly higher price on eBay.
Conclusion
Selling second-hand items online can be a very profitable (and environmentally friendly) side hustle to start. The market for pre-owned and gently used items has never been bigger, making today the best time to find some hidden treasures around the house and start selling!
One of the best extra benefits is that whilst you’re making money, you will also be clearing your clutter!
So don’t wait! Raid your bookshelf, your wardrobe and the attic to see how much extra money you can make! You will not believe the range of second-hand items you can sell.
Start your online resale business today and join the thriving community of second-hand sellers. And don’t forget to share your experiences, questions and favourite second-hand items to sell with us in the comments below; we’re all here to help each other succeed!
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