How a spring clean in summer could land you some cash
Savvy sellers are pocketing hundreds of dollars in a matter of hours as they offload their trash to people who think its treasure. Here’s how you can do it.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Savvy sellers are pocketing hundreds of dollars in a matter of hours as they offload their trash to people who think its treasure.
Summer — not Spring — has become the season for clearing out and cashing in on the unwanted items hanging around the house.
It has sparked a surge in online posts on sites like Facebook, Gumtree and eBay.
KONMARI DECLUTTER CRAZE SPARKS PECULIAR SIDE EFFECT
WHAT IS ‘SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING’?
HOME RENOVATION AND GARDENING IDEAS
“Declutter Queen” Amy Revell, from Simply Organised, said most people could make $400 in a day by selling their obsolete items.
She has helped Victorians sell household items collectively worth more than $60,000 during the past six years.
“If you need a quick injection of cash, have a look around your house at what you are not using and list it,” Ms Revell said.
“This is by far the busiest time of the year for online sales.
“Selling online after Christmas is great because kids might have got money and are looking to buying a new bike, toys or a new phone.
“Plus when people are online listing, they also end up buying.”
Among Ms Revell’s best sales was her childhood Cabbage Patch doll, which she sold to a collector for $220.
She recommended listing old phones, iPads, shoes, footy boots or even Tupperware.
Ms Revell, who also hosts the podcast Art of Decluttering, has a one-hour online course on how to successful sell their items online.
Heidelberg mum-of-three Kelly Winder is hoping to make more than $600 selling clutter collected from around her house.
“The first area we attacked was the lounge and rather than being a couch and toy room it really feels like a family space that we can enjoy,” she said.
“There is a lot of money of money sitting around the house that you don’t know is there because of the clutter.
“The whole family is happier, everyone feels lighter.”
A decluttering craze has swept the state on the back of organiser Marie Kondo’s Netflix series.
It has seen eBay listings for home organisation items jump 63 per cent, and her two books increase 91 per cent and 85 per cent respectively.
But Bless This Mess owner Robyn Amott warned those planning a clean up to have a game plan — work from your feet outwards in a cluttered room or from top down in a cupboard.
She also urged people to sell quickly, otherwise they risked their pile growing or gathering dust.
“This is a good time to reset while you have time to do it over summer before we go back to normality,” she said.
HOW TO CLEAN OUT AND CLEAN UP
1. SNAP PHOTOS EARLY
If you’re going to pack away an item — like a pram or cot — take a photo of it assembled to boost your listing.
2. LIST IT QUICKLY
Post the ad within 48 hours, otherwise the clutter will sit there gathering dust.
3. SOME MONEY IS BETTER THAN NO MONEY
Be open to negotiate and don’t be disappointed if an item doesn’t fetch
as much as you’d hoped.
4. ALMOST ANYTHING CAN BE SOLD SECOND-HAND
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking something isn’t worth selling. Tupperware, shoes, books, footy shoes can all be offloaded.
5. SET A DEADLINE
Give the listing seven days and if it hasn’t sold, donate it.
Source: Amy Revell