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How to Sell Your Decluttered Stuff Online

November 27, 2020

If you are an expat or diplomat who moves every 2-3 years, the dreaded question before the end of each posting is “How do I get rid of things that I can’t bring to my next destination?” Below are some tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way. This can be a really stressful and confusing time, so I hope you will find it useful or that at least it gives you a place to start.

This also applies to people who want to massively and speedily declutter!

Traditionally a physical garage sale is the way to go. But that’s not recommended during the pandemic! I also don’t recommend physical garage sales if you want to get a better price for higher-end items. Here in Manila, Garage sales are okay if you are willing to sell them at rock bottom prices because usually, it’s household staff that comes to buy.

I love doing online garage sales because you can upload things one by one and it doesn’t require inviting many people and an entire day to do it. And you can reach more people on the internet. Here is how:

  1. Look for websites, classifieds or mailing lists that people (especially expats) view to sell or buy secondhand stuff, like the eBay Kleinanzeigen in Berlin (I found it better than craigslist, but craigslist might be better in other cities), Carousell in Manila and the Uppercrust Classifieds during the years that I was in Jakarta (you need to sign up for their mailinglist).
  2. Join high-quality Facebook groups that specifically cater to your locale like DeclutterMNL and MFAC. There are bigger groups but I always prefer to join high quality groups so I don’t end up with time wasters or joybidders.
  3. For those who aren’t on social networks, you can upload an album of photos on Dropbox or any other cloud, then email links to friends and ask them to forward it to their friends. *You may also upload on a public album on FB or Google+ BUT… and it’s a big but… Always consider privacy and personal safety before doing this. You don’t want to announce your contact details and contents of your home to potential robbers.
  4. Take bright and clear photos under natural light with a white background – a white couch or a white shawl/bedsheet on a table beside a window will do. You don’t need an expensive SLR camera to do this. An iPhone or good compact camera will do. The important thing is to take the photo in natural light so it doesn’t look yellow or blue which happens in artificial light. Turn off all warm lighting while doing this. If you have a ring light, you can use this too, so that the item has lights from 2 angles and less dark shados.
  5. Take and upload at least 4 photos of the item – Top, bottom, front and back. The more photos you upload, the more likely you can sell your item. If you have the original box, make sure to post this too. And a close up photo of the instructions and another for the technical specificiations, like the model, watts, voltage, etc.
  6. Always edit your photos using your phone or editing apps – my favorite are iPhone photo editing app, Foodie & Lightroom – to crop, straighten, brighten, lessen the shadows, lessen warmth and bring out the colors closest to the actual item. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. It makes a difference whether you sell it within a few hours or not at all. When you see lovely photos online, it’s because the photographers did not skip this step. No respectable photographer uploads photos before “developing them.”
  7. Price your item well and also indicate the original price you purchased it for, and when you purchased it. I usually just go with 50% of my purchase price. If I cannot remember the price or if it was a long time ago, I google and check the prices of similar items online then just go with 50% of the lowest price that I find. People expect a good deal when they are buying online. If you price to high, nobody will be intrested.
  8. Indicate why you are selling it or RFS (Reason For Selling) i.e. moving to another country, size outgrown, etc. as this builds trust from your buyer.
  9. Clearly describe the item’s flawsor signs of wear. Even better, take a picture of any damage or worn out spots. So they know what they are buying. Use the most accurate wording to describe like:
    • As new / never been used
    • Mint condition
    • Used but in good working condition
    • Needs x part replaced
    • EUC or Excellent Used Condition
    • VGUC or Very Good Used Condition
    • GUC or Good Used Condition
  10. If you are still using the item and would like to let go right before your departure for convenience, then be sure to say “available for pick up on [INSERT DATE]”
  11. “SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS” means that the buyer needs to bring enough manpower to dismantle/pick up the item and must check the item before buying as there is no return. This is especially helpful with bigger items (i.e. sofa set) so that the buyer knows that they have to arrange for people and transport.
  12. You can also write “private sale, no guarantee or warranties”
  13. If you are not comfortable having strangers over at your place, you can also arranged for a meet up instead. “Pick up possible at [insert name] coffee shop, bus stop, etc.”
  14. Or if meeting people is inconvenient because you are pressed for time, have a baby, etc. then send the item to them by courier instead. Include the shipping cost and area you are willing to ship to. Or to make it more attractive you can also make it “FREE SHIPPING WITHING METRO MANILA” if you have a driver.
  15. Get paid. On DeclutterMNL we require that buyers pay within 48hrs of commenting sold/mine, or else the item automatically goes to the person who sold next. Each group has different rules. For online purchases that you will post, set up a Paypal, Gcash or local bank account so buyers can pay you. In Europe it’s easy to do direct bank transfers using IBAN. You can also download your bank’s mobile app and enable money transfer to other accounts.
  16. Pack items well with scrunched up used paper or used brown paperbags so that they don’t get damaged in transit. I usually try to use the least amount of tape or paper tape if I need to. Whenever possible I just tie them up with reused ribbons. Do not overdo it with tape and bubble wrap. If the items breakable, it’s best to place it in a thick carton, surrounded by fluffy scrunched up paper. I only reuse whatever packaging I receive from online shopping.
  17. Here in Manila, buyers usually arrange if they want to receive something via same day delivery services like Lalamove, Grab or Mr. Speedy. Or if the buyer is on a budget, I use Fastrack.
  18. EXTRA STEP: I always track to check that the package was successfully delivered to the person. On Fastrack I use their website to print my waybills and it’s easy to check the status of the package. In Germany, I used DHL of course.

USE GRAPHICS TO MAKE SELLING EASIER

I’ve made these graphics available on DeclutterMNL so that anyone can use them to make decluttering transactions easier! Feel free to copy and use!

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Feel free to use these templates that I created on Canva as long as you don’t remove/crop the DeclutterMNL credits. You may download the the blank versions that you can then edit from our Declutter MNL Facebook Page.

Then you can add your own text by using any text/font app like:

Canva
PicCollage
Typic
Or whatever you love from the many apps out there!

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO SELL?

There is another Facebook group here in Manila that you can post your stuff in if you are willing to give your stuff away for free. BUHAY ZERO WASTE PRELOVED is an online dumpster diving platform where people post things and other people who need your stuff for upcycling, etc. will collect the items from you! It’s very convenient!

Just like DeclutterMNL you need to strictly follow their required format. This makes for fast and convenient transactions, therefore speedy decluttering too!

Here in Geneva, we simply posts items (mostly related to kids or parenting but home items too)we are decluttering on Pay it Forward Parents Nyon. It’s open to anyone in Nyon or nearby areas

LAST NOTE

I’ve done many garage sales over the past decade – from 6.5 years of living abroad and also doing estate sales for my clients – and before you need to sell your things, you can help yourself by keeping in mind a few things that have helped me lessen the things I need to dispose of.

Start with only buying things that you truly find beautiful and useful. This minimizes buyers remorse and the stuff you need to get rid off.

I know it’s tedious and easy to put-off till next year but grin and bear the annual spring cleaning and you will be thankful for having less things to sort and sell, when it’s time to leave.

Don’t let things pile up in your garage, storage, kelle, guestroom, or under the bed. A good rule to follow is that if I don’t use something for a year, I pass it on to someone who will make more use of it – use good judgement on whether to sell, donate, recycle or throw.

This also applies to items that in perfect condition. Don’t hold on to something just because it works or looks new – hold on to things because they truly spark joy.

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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