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The first time I sold something online, it was a pair of shoes I hadn’t worn in two years. I listed them on Facebook Marketplace for $40, expecting to wait a week. They sold in three hours. That small win led me down a rabbit hole — I went through my closet, my kitchen cabinets, and my garage, and over the next month I made over $800 selling things I’d completely forgotten I owned.
Most of us are sitting on hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of stuff we no longer use. Old electronics, clothes that don’t fit, furniture from a previous apartment, textbooks, kitchen gadgets — all of it has value to someone. Selling your stuff online is one of the fastest, simplest ways to generate quick cash without learning a new skill or committing to a side hustle.
Here’s exactly how to sell your stuff online, which platforms to use for different items, and how to price and photograph your listings so they actually sell.
Why Selling Your Stuff Is the Fastest Way to Make Extra Money
Most methods of making extra money require time before you see results. Freelancing requires building a client base. Passive income takes upfront investment. Even most side hustles have a ramp-up period.
Selling what you already own skips all of that. You have the inventory right now. You can list items tonight and have cash in hand this week. And beyond the money, you get two additional benefits: a decluttered living space and a clearer sense of what you actually need versus what’s just taking up room.
If you’re working on building an emergency fund or trying to pay off credit card debt, selling your stuff gives you an immediate cash injection to jumpstart your progress. It’s not a long-term income strategy — it’s a one-time boost that can make a real difference right now.
Best Platforms to Sell Your Stuff Online
Not every platform works for every item. Here’s a breakdown of the best places to sell based on what you’re selling:
Facebook Marketplace — Best for Local, Large, and General Items
Best for: Furniture, appliances, electronics, home goods, cars, sports equipment, anything heavy or expensive to ship
Why it works: Facebook Marketplace has massive local reach, no listing fees, and allows cash transactions with in-person pickup — meaning no shipping hassles. The buyer pool is enormous because nearly everyone already has a Facebook account.
Fees: Free for local pickup sales. If you choose to ship, Facebook charges a 5% selling fee (or $0.40 for items under $8).
Tips: Post in the evening when people browse most. Use all 10 photo slots. Respond to messages quickly — Marketplace rewards fast response times with better visibility.
Poshmark — Best for Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories
Best for: Brand-name clothing, designer bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories
Why it works: Poshmark has a built-in community of fashion buyers actively searching for deals on brands they love. The platform handles shipping labels, and you can share your listings to increase visibility.
Fees: Flat $2.95 for sales under $15. 20% commission for sales $15 and above.
Tips: Photograph clothes on a clean, well-lit background. Include measurements and fabric details. Use the “Share” feature daily — active sellers get more visibility in search results.
eBay — Best for Collectibles, Electronics, and Niche Items
Best for: Vintage items, collectibles (cards, vinyl, memorabilia), electronics, rare or niche products, anything with a specific model number
Why it works: eBay‘s global audience means you can find buyers for nearly anything, no matter how obscure. The auction format works well for items where you’re unsure of the market value — let buyers compete and set the price.
Fees: Up to 13.25% of the final sale price (varies by category), plus a $0.30 per-order fee. Free listings available (up to 250/month).
Tips: Use the “Sold” filter to research what similar items actually sold for — not what people are asking. “Buy It Now” listings sell faster than auctions for common items. Offer free shipping by building the cost into your price.
Mercari — Best for General Items With Easy Shipping
Best for: Clothing, electronics, home goods, toys, books, beauty products — most general categories
Why it works: Mercari provides prepaid shipping labels and a simple listing process. The platform is especially popular for mid-range items that are too small for Marketplace but too general for Poshmark.
Fees: 10% selling fee.
Tips: Price competitively by checking similar sold listings first. Mercari’s “Smart Pricing” feature automatically lowers your price over time if an item doesn’t sell — use it strategically.
Decluttr — Best for Electronics and Media (No Listing Required)
Best for: Smartphones, tablets, game consoles, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, textbooks
Why it works: You don’t create listings. Instead, you scan barcodes or enter device details, Decluttr gives you an instant offer, you ship for free, and they pay you directly. It’s the easiest option if you want zero hassle.
Fees: None — but offers are typically below market value since you’re trading convenience for speed.
Tips: Best for items you want gone fast without negotiating. For high-value electronics, you’ll usually get more selling directly on eBay or Marketplace.
Other Worth Knowing
- ThredUp — Send a bag of clothes and they sell them for you (consignment model, lower payouts but zero effort)
- Offerup — Similar to Facebook Marketplace, strong in certain cities
- Craigslist — Still works for large items and local sales, but less safe than Marketplace
- Amazon Trade-In — Exchange eligible electronics, books, and games for Amazon gift cards
What to Sell: A Room-by-Room Guide
Not sure what to sell your stuff online for the best return? Walk through your home with fresh eyes:
Closet and bedroom: Clothes you haven’t worn in a year, shoes, bags, jewelry, watches, accessories. Brand names sell best, but even basics in good condition have value on the right platform.
Living room and garage: Furniture, lamps, rugs, artwork, power tools, sports equipment, exercise gear, bicycles. Large items sell fast locally because buyers save on retail delivery fees.
Kitchen: Small appliances (blenders, air fryers, Instant Pots), cookware sets, specialty tools you bought for one recipe. If it’s still in the box, even better.
Office and tech: Old laptops, tablets, phones (even damaged ones have value for parts), monitors, gaming consoles, keyboards, cables, printers.
Books and media: Textbooks (especially recent editions), popular fiction, vinyl records, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games.
Kids’ stuff: Outgrown clothes (bundle by size), toys, strollers, car seats (within expiration date), cribs, books.
General rule: If you haven’t used it in 12 months and it’s in decent condition, someone will buy it.
How to Price Your Items to Sell Fast
When you sell your stuff online, pricing is where most people get stuck. You remember what you paid and want to recoup most of it. But the market doesn’t care what you paid — it cares what the item is worth to a buyer today.
Research first. Search for your item on the platform you’re using. Filter by “Sold” listings (on eBay and Poshmark) to see what buyers actually paid — not what sellers are hoping to get. This is the single best pricing strategy.
Price 10-15% below the average. If similar items sold for $50, list yours at $42-45. Slightly undercutting the market leads to faster sales, and fast sales add up to more total money than overpriced listings that sit for months.
Build in negotiation room. On platforms like Marketplace and Offerup, buyers almost always send lower offers. Price 15-20% above your true minimum so you can “give in” and still hit your target.
Bundle to increase value. A single book might sell for $5. A bundle of 10 books in the same genre might sell for $35. Clothing lots by size sell well on eBay. Bundling moves more inventory faster and feels like a deal for the buyer.
How to Take Photos That Sell
The difference between a listing that sells in a day and one that sits for a month is almost always the photos. You don’t need professional equipment — a smartphone and natural light are enough.
Use natural lighting. Photograph near a window during the day. Avoid flash, which creates harsh shadows and makes items look worse.
Clean background. A white sheet, a clean table, or a blank wall. Cluttered backgrounds make items look less valuable.
Show every angle. Front, back, sides, close-ups of tags and labels, and any flaws or wear. Buyers who can see exactly what they’re getting are more confident making a purchase.
Show scale. For smaller items, include a common object for size reference. For clothing, photograph it laid flat and on a hanger at minimum.
Photograph flaws honestly. A small stain, a scratch, a missing button — photograph it and mention it in the description. Honesty prevents returns and builds your seller reputation.
Writing Descriptions That Close Sales
Good descriptions are short, honest, and answer the buyer’s likely questions before they ask.
Include: Brand name, size/dimensions, condition (new, like new, good, fair), color, material, and any flaws. Mention the original retail price if it helps justify your asking price.
Keep it scannable. Buyers skim listings. Put the most important details in the first two lines. Use short paragraphs or brief bullet points for specs.
Add keywords naturally. Think about what someone would search. “Nike Air Max 90 men’s size 11 white” is better than “cool sneakers for sale.” This applies to every platform — they all use search algorithms.
Safety Tips for Selling Locally
If you’re meeting buyers in person through Marketplace, Offerup, or Craigslist, protect yourself:
Meet in public places. Many police stations have designated “safe exchange zones” in their parking lots — use them. Shopping center parking lots during business hours work too.
Don’t invite strangers to your home. For large furniture, meet outside and have someone with you during the exchange.
Use cash or digital payment apps. Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App work well. Never accept personal checks.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a buyer’s messages or the situation, cancel the sale. No item is worth your safety.
Turn Selling Into a Money-Making Habit
Once you’ve cleared out your unused stuff, you don’t have to stop. Many people discover they enjoy the process and transition into reselling — buying underpriced items at thrift stores, garage sales, or clearance racks and flipping them online for profit. Our upcoming guide on flipping items for profit covers how to turn this into a consistent income stream.
But even as a one-time effort, choosing to sell your stuff online can generate meaningful cash. If you put that money toward your emergency fund, use it to pay down a credit card balance, or redirect it into savings, you’ve turned forgotten clutter into real financial progress.
For more ideas on generating extra income — from quick wins to long-term strategies — read our complete guide on how to make extra money.
FAQ Section
What is the best app to sell stuff online quickly?
For the fastest local sales, Facebook Marketplace is hard to beat because of its massive user base and zero fees on local pickups. For clothing, Poshmark moves items quickly if you price competitively and share listings daily. For electronics with zero effort, Decluttr gives instant offers with free shipping — you can have money within a few days.
How much can I realistically make selling my stuff?
Most people can generate $200-$1,000+ from a thorough home cleanout, depending on what they own. Electronics, brand-name clothing, furniture, and collectibles tend to bring the highest returns. The key is being realistic about pricing and listing on the right platform for each item type.
Is it worth selling items under $10?
Individually, low-value items may not justify the time to photograph, list, and ship. But bundling works well — group similar small items together (5 books, a set of kitchen utensils, a lot of kids’ clothes by size) and sell them as a package. Bundles are attractive to buyers and save you time per transaction.
Do I have to pay taxes on stuff I sell online?
If you’re selling personal items for less than you originally paid (which is most cases), you generally don’t owe taxes on the proceeds because there’s no profit. However, if you sell items for more than you paid — collectibles that appreciated, for example — the profit may be taxable. Starting in 2024, platforms like eBay and Poshmark report sales exceeding $600 to the IRS via Form 1099-K. Consult a tax professional if you’re unsure about your specific situation.
How do I ship items I sell online?
Most platforms (Poshmark, Mercari, eBay) provide prepaid shipping labels or discounted rates through USPS, UPS, or FedEx. For Poshmark, shipping is built into the sale — you just print the label, pack the item, and drop it off. For eBay, you can buy and print labels directly from the listing. Save boxes and packing materials from your own online orders to reduce shipping supply costs.
What should I do with stuff that doesn’t sell?
First, lower the price by 20-30% and relist with fresh photos. If it still doesn’t sell after 2-3 weeks, donate it for a potential tax deduction, give it away on a local Buy Nothing group, or recycle it. Don’t let unsold items become re-clutter — the goal is to clear space and move forward.
Toyin Onagoruwa is the founding editor of BrokeMeNot. With over five years of experience in personal finance writing and a background in financial services, he helps everyday people navigate credit cards, budgeting, and smart money management. Connect with him on LinkedIn.