As a college student stuck at home without an essential job, a room in need of a spring cleaning, and approximately $57 dollars in my bank account, I hatched the perfect idea for how I can still do my part to combat coronavirus from home, clean out my stuff, and make some money out of it.
Sell your stuff! The non-contact way!
While I've heard of Facebook Marketplace, that's not something I've been brave enough to try yet. As a tiny twenty-year-old woman, meeting up with strangers to trade items and cash doesn't sound very appealing to me just yet. So I've been using other means to exchange my stuff.
I've been using Poshmark and Mercari, selling apps on my phone!
It's very simple - just upload photos of your items, fill in some other information like the condition, size, and price of the item, and that's pretty much the first step!
Shipping is very easy. Everybody's ordering a lot more things online lately, so just save those packages (wipe them down, of course) and once you print the shipping label the website emails directly to you, you can just drop off the package in a USPS box (if it fits, it ships,) schedule a pick-up, or drop into a post office if you're comfortable!
The farthest I've had to travel for my online selling business has been my post office, and so far all of my packages have fit in the USPS box!
Once your customer gets their product, they rate you and the company will pay you! You can either use that money to buy something in the app (because f fast fashion, right?) or you can have it transferred to your bank account at no extra cost!
I haven't sold a whole ton of things yet, but I've made about $30 so far! It's easy, hassle-free, and it pays! I'd say Poshmark is the best app I've used. They take less of the money you've earned on your items. However, I've found it harder to sell things on Poshmark. Mercari is much easier, but it will take way more of your earnings depending on what it is you're selling.
If you're reading this and are interested in what I have in my closet, my Poshmark is @stinaform! I still have a lot of remodeling to do on my posts to make them look more appealing (that helps sell,) but feel free to have a look!
There is also tons of advice out there for selling online if neither of the ways that have been working for me isn't your jam! It's not hard, anyone can do it, so don't freak out and try it! You never know, you could be very successful!
I hope I've inspired you to get out there (but not actually,) and make some money! Your wallet & your closet will thank you.
(And of course, you should donate what you don't sell!)