As anyone who’s ever sold second-hand furniture in Australia would agree, our country has an excellent market for it. You can sell pieces for not too much less than what you bought them, with minimal effort required.
In fact, recent research from Gumtree reveals that the trading of pre-loved, unwanted or unused items in Australia could be worth over $48 billion, and that the market for it has grown 89% over the past 10 years.
In saying that, however, there are a few tips and tricks that will not only help you sell your wares faster, but also might let you sell them for a lot more than you might think.
Consider Painting Your Furniture
A splash of paint can do wonders in upgrading a pre-loved piece of furniture and doesn’t have to break the bank. With the help of sandpaper and a small pot of paint — often, they cost less than $50 — you can easily liven up a piece of furniture. Spray paint is another good option. Don’t forget the sealant either so your paint job stays intact.
Another tip: antique white-washed finishes are always a big hit online and are probably the easiest furniture style to replicate.
Include Several Quality Photos
A potential buyer is more likely to be interested in a listing if there is more than one image. You can upload up to nine images on a Gumtree listing and 10 on Facebook Marketplace, so there’s no reason to not share every angle of your piece of furniture. Make sure you take the photos in a well-lit space and show any detail that the item might have.
Add Plenty of Detail in the Description
When putting your upcycled or pre-loved piece of furniture up for sale, don’t simplify your language or skimp on the details. Instead, you should describe the item you’re listing with unique phrases and words, like “French Provincial” or “perfectly imperfect” as that’ll generate more interest. See how other items are being advertised to get some inspiration from the language used.
Research What’s Currently Trending
Do your research to see what’s currently trending in the furniture space online. See what’s currently for sale and compare your product to that. If you’re wanting to upcycle some furniture, do some research on the kinds of items getting the biggest bucks. This research is also great inspiration for what you might want to create, so start a vision board with items you’re eager to find and upcycle.
Be Mindful of When You Post Your Ad
To maximise the views and interest you’ll get, aim to post your ad just before the weekend. With many people at work during the week, they might not be checking online as often. Buyers want something to do on the weekend and it’s when they’ll have the most time to look for something new to purchase for their homes.
Do your best to respond quickly to potential buyers, stay on top of interest by checking responses frequently and always be friendly and helpful in your dealings with people.
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