Most listings fail for fixable reasons
The difference between an item that sells in a day at a good price and one that sits for weeks is rarely the item — it is the listing. Photos, title, price and timing do almost all the work. Here is how to get them right.
Photos that sell
- Use daylight. Natural light near a window beats any indoor bulb. Avoid flash.
- Clean, neutral background. A tidy, uncluttered backdrop makes the item look more valuable instantly.
- Show everything. Multiple angles, close-ups of brand marks, and honest photos of any flaws. Buyers trust sellers who show the wear.
- First photo is the ad. It decides whether anyone clicks — make it the clearest, best-lit shot.
Titles and descriptions buyers actually search
- Put the real search terms in the title: brand, model, size/dimensions, colour, condition. "Sofa" sells slowly; "IKEA Ektorp 3-seat sofa, grey, washable cover" gets found.
- Describe condition honestly and specifically. Note flaws plainly — it reduces returns, disputes and time-wasters.
- Include measurements and what's included. Answering the obvious questions up front means fewer messages and faster sales.
Pricing and timing
- Price slightly above your floor to leave room to negotiate, but stay within the real market range or you'll be ignored.
- List when buyers are looking: evenings and Sunday afternoons get more eyes; seasonal items sell best in season.
- If it's not selling, refresh it: better lead photo, a small price drop, or relist — stale listings sink in the rankings.
- Bundle low-value items to make a sale worth the effort for both sides.
Handle buyers safely
- Keep communication and payment on the platform where possible.
- Watch for the classic overpayment / "courier" scams aimed at sellers — never ship or refund against a payment you haven't actually received. See avoiding scams.
- For local handovers, meet in a busy public place; for posted items, always get tracking.
Think about tax
Occasional sales of your own used belongings are usually fine, but systematic buying-to-resell can count as a business in many countries. If you scale up, check your local rules — the arbitrage approach works best when it's done above board.