Should I Sell My Things Online or Donate Them?

Selling your unwanted items online is a great way to make a few extra bucks, but before listing anything for sale, it’s important to determine whether your items are worth selling in the first place or if you’d be better off donating them. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re trying to gauge whether to sell or donate your things.

Is Your Item Worth the Effort It Takes to Sell?

Between determining a fair price, cleaning it up, taking good photos, and writing an accurate description, selling something online takes time. So, ask yourself, is what you’re trying to sell worth the time and effort? Try to come up with an estimate of how long it may take you to sell your belongings, then think about how much money you will make from selling those items. Selling online often ends up being more work than you may think, so it’s important to consider whether or not it’s worth the effort at the end of the day.

Don’t forget that your time is worth something, too, and you should use it wisely. If you think that selling something online may not be worth it in the long run, you’d probably be better off donating it.

Will Your Item Be In Demand?

These days, the market for buying and selling things online is huge. There are so many platforms for buying old stuff that it is truly a buyer’s market. If there are already dozens of items similar to yours listed online, it will be considerably more difficult for you to sell, and you will likely make less of a profit. You should also consider your item’s condition and whether or not it is still relevant in the current market.

Do You Have a Reasonable Expectation as to What You Will Make?

It can be difficult to come up with a fair price for something you’re selling, especially if it’s something that’s important to you. Take a look at internet classifieds like Craigslist to gauge how much similar items are selling for. If you are selling collectibles, you can also look at eBay to get an idea of a realistic price point. If possible, check out the items that have already sold and see how much they sold for. Remember, your things are only worth something if somebody actually wants to buy them!

When to Sell vs. When to Donate

If you’re still not sure whether you should sell or donate your things, here are some basic guidelines to point you in the right direction.

You should sell your items if…

• They are in good condition and working properly
• Thay have inherent value
• There is a demand for them
• You feel like they are worth the time and effort it takes to sell online

You should donate your items if…

• They’re common items with a low demand
• You aren't sure if you feel like investing the time and energy into selling them
• You want to get rid of them as soon as possible
• The quality is decent, but not great

At the end of the day, the decision between selling and donating comes down to what works best for you and your lifestyle. Don’t forget to consider Plain Direct for selling your goods online - create an account today!