Here comes the sun! There’s nothing like sunny spring days to set the mood for some serious house organisation. For me, organisation is all about storage, sorting, sharing and selling.

This post is all about helping you get more bang for your buck. I’m an absolute sucker for children’s designer clothing, high-end toys and baby-related paraphernalia. But once the kids have moved on from said goods, it’s terribly difficult to see those beautiful items simply go to waste. Particularly as high-end products are built to last and most still look like new and function perfectly, even after they’ve been through several children.

One of the best ways of making back some of the money you’ve spent on children’s wares is to sell them on eBay.

We’ve put together some tips for selling on eBay – all you need is a little time and a little know-how and you’ll not only have your home cleaned of clutter, but you’ll have a few extra dollars. Those reading this who are just about to buy baby items for the first time might like to take note of the brands so that in the next few years you’ll be able to get a large chunk of your money back when baby outgrows the items. It happens way sooner than you think, even if sharing the cot amongst a few siblings.

Tips:

1. Organise your cleanout items into two piles – one for charity and one for eBay. Exclude completely from both piles items which do not conform to current safety standards.

2. Not everything sells well. Check similar items on eBay to check sell prices before listing. To do this, search for a similar item, and scroll down to “show only”. Check the “completed listings” box, and it will bring up the completed auctions for that search. The items with the green prices sold for that price, the red prices didn’t sell – giving you a good indication of what your item is likely worth.

3. Generally, designer children’s clothing in good (unstained) condition fetches big dollars. Basics from chain stores won’t translate into income.

4. Make sure your item is looking its best – wash and iron clothing, wipe down toys, clean strollers, etcetera.

5. Make sure you have a ‘Gallery’ image. This will cost money, however it means a photo of your item will show when people are scrolling through listings. Not many people bother to look further at an item which they can’t immediately see.

6. Be clear, concise and completely honest about the item in your wording. Write a title with impact and if it’s an item with extras (like a pram), it’s worth buying the ‘Subtitle’ feature to list these extras so people see them right away when browsing listings.

7. Specify whether local pick up is available, and if postage is an option. If possible, make all available to the buyer as this increases the number of your potential buyers which may result in a higher auction sale price.

8. Don’t try to profit from postage. Most buyers have a radar for rip-offs and will bypass your auction if postage is too high.

9. Answer questions promptly and politely, even if the question is silly or if the information is obvious in the listing.

10. I’m adding this one because of its prime importance – if you have a car seat of more than about eight to ten years old, then it belongs in the council pickup. Cut the straps (so no-one can pick it up and use it), remove the cover and dispose of it. Antiquated child restraints pose a grave danger to children in the event of an accident.

11. The image is what sells the item. I always take photos in ambient light (flash drains pictures of colour and character) with a one-colour backdrop such as a piece of fabric or attractive wall. A messy lounge room in the background doesn’t give a good impression.

 

What sells well

• Designer clothing and shoes.
• Elite brand prams and strollers – it’s the big guys like Bugaboo, Maclaren and Mountain Buggy which fetch the most.
• Cots – again, brands like Stokke and Oeuf. Boori also brings in the dollars.
• Lego and Duplo, especially in bulk lots with tubs, or packs of characters.
• Electronic gaming consoles and games.
• Child car seats under five years old. Never try to sell ones which are over eight to ten years old. The manufacture date can be found on the back or base of the seat.

What doesn’t sell well

• Stained or poor quality clothing.
• Basics from chain stores – even if the garments are in great condition, it’s best to pass these on to a friend.
• Very old prams and strollers.
• Broken and dirty toys.
• Any items which no longer conform to current safety standards. This includes cots, car child restraints, prams and highchairs.