11 Websites to Sell Homeware Items
Wallapop
Wallapop is a “flea market in your pocket”. This innovative app can help you to sell homeware items in your local area. In fact, the items are arranged in how quickly you could reach them from your GPS location.
This makes it a great way to hold a virtual yard sale. You don’t need to set things out in your yard or spend your day outside. You can simply list each item with photos and a description and have buyers come to you.
There is also an in app chat feature, so you can arrange transactions with your buyer.
Wallapop is available for Android and iOS devices.
5Miles
5Miles is like a streamlined Craigslist. It is a mobile focused service allowing you to sell and buy locally. To get started, all you need to do is snap pictures of your item and add a description.
There is an in app messaging feature for buyers to ask questions or arrange a transaction. Buyers can also click for instant buy.
As with Craigslist, it is a good idea to exchange goods in a monitored, safe area.
5Miles is available for iOS and Android.
Apartment Therapy Marketplace
Apartment Therapy Marketplace allows you to sell “like new” or used home decor items. The platform has a focus on stylish design. So, your items will need to be good quality.
As a seller, you’ll get an attractive profile page. You can use the platform to communicate with potential buyers.
While there are apps for Android phones and iPhones, they are a little buggy. If you want a smooth sell homeware experience, it is better to use the website.
Amazon Seller Central
While you may be familiar with buying items on Amazon, you may not be aware that you can use the platform to sell homeware items. Although there is a $0.99 fee for each item you sell, millions of potential customers can view your item.
If you want to turn selling homeware into a side hustle, there is a pro plan. This costs $39.99 per month. But, you can sell more than 40 items a month and have access to selling tools.
Chairish
While its name may suggest otherwise, Chairish is not just about selling chairs. You can also sell rugs, furniture, lighting and other household items.
The platform targets design lovers. So, each listing needs approval. In fact, the Chairish team may even touch up your listings.
Chairish handles all the shipping details and then pays you 80% or more of the final sales price.
Buyers can also make offers for at least 50% of the list price. This creates room for negotiation.
There is a Chairish app for iOS devices.
EBTH
If you have high quality and unique items that you want to part with, EBTH could be a good option. EBTH (Everything But The House) allows you to consign your items with its end to end service.
The company handles all aspects of the sale. From authenticating your items to photographing, creating the listing and operating the online auction. EBTH also deals with all shipping and deliveries.
There is a sliding scale commission for this service. This is approximately 35 to 45%. While this is steep, you don’t have to deal with any aspect of the sale.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace Summary
- Buyer and seller accountability as you need a Facebook account
- Built in messaging system to keep on top of queries
- Access to a massive marketplace
- Ratings system maintains honesty
Facebook is more than a place to catch up with your old school friends or long lost relatives. The Facebook Marketplace allows you to sell, give away or buy items within your local community.
You can use direct messages to speak to potential buyers. You can also message to arrange a deal and organize pick up or delivery.
Search for groups in your town. You can also browse the list of “Buy and Sell” groups.
What makes Facebook Marketplace unique is that there are no listing fees or sales commission.
You don’t need a separate account. You can simply click the “shop” icon when you log in. This will guide you through creating a listing for you to sell homeware or other items.
VarageSale
As the name suggests, VarageSale is a virtual garage sale. You can join the local “buy and sell” groups or search for items by location.
Be aware that VarageSale manually reviews new members. So, it can take a little longer to get a membership. However, this does mean that there is identity verification before a member can buy or sell. This should eliminate scams or dodgy deals.
VarageSale is completely free to sell, buy, browse or even bump your items to the top of the listings.
Craigslist
Craigslist Summary
- Posts are anonymous
- Quick and easy listing in a matter of minutes
- Little to no seller fees, most auctions are free
- Sell within your local area
You’re likely to be familiar with Craigslist. This marketplace is easy to use. You can post your item and then just wait for replies.
However, Craigslist is vulnerable to scammers. You need to be careful and ensure that you protect yourself and your items.
This includes:
- Be wary of fake escrow services: Buyers can also be wary of scammers, so they may suggest escrow. However, there are fake services that can lure you into a scam. So, find the site yourself rather than following a link or clicking a pop up. Ensure the URL is secure and matches the site name.
- Consider Using a Disposable Number: You may prefer not to share your home or cell number. So, consider using a disposable number, such as Google Voice or a disposable cell phone.
- Safely Use Cash: The most secure method for a Craigslist transaction is cash. But, you may be wary about taking a higher value item to meet someone who may not pay. So, it is always a good idea to meet in a safe location such as a local police station, shopping mall or coffee shop. You should also bring a counterfeit detector pen to ensure you don’t get bogus bills.
eBay
eBay Summary
- High user traffic – over 187 million users
- No listing fees for small scale sellers
- Promote your listing from as little as 1%
- Quick processing time for payouts
eBay is the first site you may think of when considering selling unwanted items. You can sell new or used items as an auction or fixed price “Buy it Now” listing. eBay also allows for local sales or shipping your items. You can attract more buyers by offering free shipping, but you’ll need to consider the costs when setting your listing price.
Bear in mind that there are fees for eBay sellers. This includes:
- Listing fee: $0.35 per item. There may be no listing fee in some circumstances
- Final value fee: 2% to 12% of the sales price
- PayPal fees: $2.9% + $0.30 of the selling price.
Mercari
Mercari Summary
- Listing your items on the platform is free
- Mercari has a low commission of 10% on every item you sell
- Mercari provides a prepaid shipping label with insurance worth up to $200
- You’ll get paid quickly – within 3 days after the buyer has received your item
If you feel nervous about meeting up with a stranger to sell your item, consider Mercari. Mercari is a marketplace platform where everything is shipped. The company even provides the seller with a printable shipping label.
Another perk of Mercari is that there is a flat 10% selling fee for each complete sale. So, you don’t need to worry about complicated calculations to cover your costs.
Tips to Sell Homeware Items Online
When you want to sell homeware items, you want to get the best price, minimize hassle and stay safe. So, here are some tips to help you sell homeware items online.
Don’t List Everything In One Batch
If you have a basement full of junk or want to empty your packed kitchen cabinets, don’t overwhelm yourself. Regardless of the platform you use, managing listings can take time. So, you don’t want to be dealing with hundreds of listings in one go.
Instead, list items in batches. Start with a few things at a time. This will be easier to handle and you can get to grips with the platform.
Monitor Your Listing
While it may be tempting to list and forget, this could cost you a sale. You need to monitor your listing for any messages or comments. You may secure a quicker sale or a better price if you answer as quickly as possible. If you can arrange for a buyer to collect your item within 24 hours, you can move on to selling something else.
Don’t Wait for Selling Season
Homeware items tend to be evergreen. So, there is no specific selling season. This means that you don’t need to wait for a good time to list your items. Just get started.
Take Good Pictures
Ideally, you should take photos of your items in natural light without any filters. It is a good idea to take lots of photos from different angles. This will allow you to choose the best photos to add to your listing. If your item has any marks or damage, ensure you include a picture. Many potential buyers will look at the pictures before they even read the description, so make sure you grab their attention.
Ensure Your Items are Clean
If you’re selling blankets, cushions or other fabric items, ensure you wash them. Dust and polish any furniture. You should never try to sell a dirty item. Do your best to ensure that you present your items properly.
Use Realistic Pricing
Although you may think that your old dinner service is priceless, it will not have this value to a potential buyer. Think about how much a similar item would cost brand new and price your items accordingly. If you are struggling to get offers, comments or even likes, look at your pricing.
Be Ready to Negotiate
Most buyers will want to haggle over the price of your item, so you need to be ready to negotiate. You’ll need to weigh up whether it is better to take less now or risk not selling your item later. Brush up on your negotiating skills and be prepared to haggle to make a deal.
