Five platforms to buy, sell, swap or donate household goods

Does anyone like the process of moving? Surely not. However, the excitement of planning the ideal interior design and layout of your new abode, whether a rental or owned, far outweighs the stresses of moving.

If your ideal interior, like mine, doesn’t include drawers full of useless objects you’ve accumulated over the past decade, then it’s time to declutter. Fortunately, your decluttering could result in financial gains as well as making you feel lighter and less dependent on stuff.

After honing my wardrobe down to the 10 pairs of yoga pants I actually wear, as opposed to the 40 pairs I insist on stuffing into two drawers, I also lightened my book collection to what I will realistically read again. I shoved make-up and perfume bottles into a box and refused to look at it again, lest I convince myself to keep it.

Once the process of dividing the “keep” from the “time to go” stuff has been done, you’ll need to assign yourself a full afternoon to photographing the “time to go” items and listing them online.

Which platforms are worth listing on? Here’s my guide.

Ebay

eBay has been operating for 20 years in Australia. Worldwide, there are 177 million active users and there are almost 3000 Australian eBay self-made millionaires.

But there’s no need to set yourself that sort of lofty goal so soon, though.

Most eBay users scan the site on their mobile phones so clear photographs of your items is a must.

I’ve mostly sold clothing successfully on eBay, with make-up and books a slow second. Kitchen tools that are name-brand are popular, too. Look to what other users are charging for similar or the same item you’re selling if you’re not sure what to charge.

Etsy

I’ve never had a shop on Etsy, but for everything from notepads to unique jewellery, crystals, candles, room sprays and throw rugs, I love finding local shops and artisans. This is the closest you’ll get to a community market in the digital realm.

It’s free to start a shop, with every published listing costing you 0.27 cents. There’s a further transaction and payment processing fee once you’ve sold an item but if you’re taking good, clear photos and describing your items in simple and appealing copy, it’s a good alternative to eBay.

Facebook marketplace

I can count on one hand the number of items I’ve sold on the general marketplace, but I’ve managed to sell a bunch of activewear via an online group dedicated to brand-name activewear for buy, swap and sell.

Sadly, I’ve also gone to sell things and ended up with a pair of leggings I definitely don’t need. I hope your self-discipline is hardier than mine.

Specific groups, whether by interest or location, are a better bet than the general marketplace listing.

Freecycle

Need to get rid of a couch, trampoline (yes, really), TV, collection of The Bill  DVDs from 1989 or knitting needles you’ve never used? Freecycle enables you to list items you want to give away by the general location you’re in.

It’s free to sign up and free to list on this as well. There’s a group for Melbourne generally and also the inner north. I’ve both listed items and been given a bike helmet, coffee grinder, laptop bag and omega 3 supplements via Freecycle.

If you just want it gone, without the hassle of packaging or dropping it off, this is a great platform.

Your local op shop

If you can’t sell it, or don’t want to spend the time listing items online then waiting for them to sell, take your clothes, kitchen goods, beauty and household items down to your local op shop. Take note that they may have particular days and hours for accepting goods.