Do you have a self-storage unit that’s filled with items you never use or no longer need? Do you have the time available to organize, document, and post the things you want to get rid of? If so, there lies a great opportunity to turn your clutter into cash. To get the most out of your efforts, we’ve put together a brief guide on selling unwanted items from your storage unit.
10 Tips on How to Make the Most Money From Unwanted Junk in Your Storage Space
While affordable self-storage is a great way to keep your belongings safe, if you’re looking to sell some things, there are a few strategies to keep in mind. Regardless of whether you’re getting rid of sporting goods or clothing, here are some tips for selling your unwanted items.
1. Go Through Your Self-Storage Unit and Choose Items Carefully
When it comes to selling unwanted items from a storage unit, the first step is to assess what you have. If you have an inventory of your items, you can get an idea of what’s inside. Otherwise, you’ll need to go through everything and assess whether you want to keep it, donate it, or sell it. This can be a time-consuming process, but it’s still important.
Start by categorizing items you want to sell into different groups based on their condition, rarity, and potential market demand. Family heirlooms might be able to attract high-end buyers, but you should still determine whether it’s worth it to sell or keep.
Focus on items with good potential resale values, such as antique furniture, vintage clothing, or collectibles. Research similar items online to help with valuation or get a professional opinion. When you come across possessions that probably don’t hold much monetary value, consider donating them or setting them aside for a garage sale.
2. Trade in Old Technology
Old technology, while sometimes considered obsolete, may still hold value with retailers or tech enthusiasts. Many retailers offer trade-in programs for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices. These programs allow you to exchange your old tech for store credit or cash. Not only does this mean you recycle the electronics safely, but you can also get a discount on new items.
Devices in good working condition with minimal wear and tear are more likely to fetch higher trade-in values. To protect your privacy and security, be sure to wipe the device clean of any personal data and restore it to its factory settings before trading it in. Alternatively, you can look into selling your unwanted or old electronics online or at consignment shops.
3. Take Items to Consignment Stores
Consignment stores offer a hassle-free way to reach potential buyers while retaining control over pricing and negotiations. Consignment shops typically accept a wide range of items, including clothing, furniture, home decor, and accessories. This makes them an ideal option for decluttering and turning unused items into easy cash.
Before bringing in items, make sure they are cleaned, repaired, and priced. Then, research stores in your area to find ones that specialize in the items you want to sell. Choose stores with good reputations and track records to get the most out of your belongings. Just remember that they typically take a percentage of the sale as commission, so if you’d prefer to keep all the cash, then another route may be better.
4. Download Some Thrifting Apps
Thrift stores are great, but if you want to make some money, consider managing your own listings as a seller on some apps. Sites like Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari are all great and allow you to create and manage your products. They may also offer features such as shipping labels and payment processing to streamline the selling process.
Try to take clear pictures, set a competitive sales price, and write an enticing product description. You can usually start with a listing for 30 days, with some allowing for an extension of up to 90 days. If no action has been taken, you may need to repost or extend the ad.
5. Post on Craigslist
Craigslist also remains a go-to platform for buying and selling a wide variety of items, including furniture, electronics, appliances, and more. It’s pretty straightforward, easy to use, and allows for local sales to be made. Plus, creating an account is free and only takes a few minutes. You just need to follow the prompts online. Be aware, though, that Craigslist can be known to have some scammers, so it’s best to only agree to cash exchanges for your belongings. You should also try to meet in public areas and avoid giving out your address to anyone online.
6. Get Active on Facebook Marketplace
Facebook has also become a great place to make extra money. Choosing several markets around your location can also reduce the need for shipping and complicated exchanges. Whether you’re selling clothes or electronics, it’s important to write a thorough description and clarify if you’re willing to negotiate on price. Some people may be willing to pay the listed price, but writing “or best offer” (OBO) can help get you more inquiries if you’re in a hurry and need some extra cash. In addition to Facebook Marketplace, there are also Facebook Shops and Facebook Buy & Sell Groups, so you may want to put listings in each.
7. Master the Use of eBay
As one of the oldest and most popular ways to sell items online, eBay still offers a lot of benefits. Although the process can be a bit tedious—especially if you’re going to auction items—the returns may be worth the effort. However, to get the most out of your inventory, you’re going to want to brush up on a little SEO for the product descriptions. This way, your items will show up in relevant searches on the platform and get you in front of a bigger audience. Always pair thorough descriptions with high-quality images to help you get the highest price for your items. Additionally, if you have multiple items to list, it’s best to post one per day to appeal to the algorithm.
8. Use Your Personal Network
Harnessing the power of your personal network can be a highly effective way to turn your belongings into cash without much risk. Friends, family members, coworkers, and acquaintances can serve as valuable connections who may be interested in purchasing your items or know someone who is. Let them know what you have to offer and see how word-of-mouth can help you advertise.
9. Set Up a Garage Sale
Setting up a garage sale can be a fun, easy way to make money off things that might not have much value. They tend to attract local buyers who are looking for bargains and unique finds but may require seasonal planning.
Some tips to help you with the organization include creating sections, offering fair pricing, and planning ahead. You may also want to promote your sale in local newspapers, using neighborhood flyers, and on social media platforms. On the day of the sale, put signs up in your neighborhood to guide people to your home. You may want to offer bundle discounts for items like clothes or lower-priced things to help encourage sales. At the end, bring your remaining items to a local donation center.
10. Keep Things in Self Storage Until You Get the Best Price
If you find your listing isn’t getting much attention or the offers are too low, you may find that it’s best to keep them in storage. Some items carry a lot of value, but the market might not always align with your timing. So, rather than giving away things far below what they’re worth, have some patience and keep them in your climate-controlled self-storage unit until they’re sold.
To help you along the selling process, rent out a self-storage unit from The Lock Up Self Storage. Our temperature-controlled self-storage units can help you keep things on the market without having to donate them or throw them away. We offer a variety of self-storage units in varying sizes to meet your needs and flexible leasing that can adapt to your inventory. All of our units are climate-controlled and offer stable humidity levels to ensure that all of your things stay in great condition. Our facilities are also protected with top-of-the-line security features like perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. To learn more about our self-storage units at The Lock Up, give us a call today at 1-866-327-LOCK or stop by one of our locations for a tour of the facility.