If you're looking to thrift or shop second hand this holiday season, BBB has tips.
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Between gift lists, holiday parties, and decorations, expenses can add up quickly this time of year.
With prices going up on various products, you may be looking for a way to stretch your holiday budget.
What you'll learn:
- How to best sell items you no longer want to make extra cash.
- How to safely buy items secondhand.
- Red flags for scams to watch out for when shopping secondhand.
Thrifting offers a way to celebrate the season without overspending. You might even uncover one-of-a-kind treasures that can make your wardrobe, decorations, or even extra-special gifts.
If you’re not looking to buy but instead want to make some extra cash this holiday season, you can consider selling items you no longer use that are still in good condition.
Whether you’re thrifting or selling online or in person, Better Business Bureau has tips to help you have a thrifty holiday:
Tips for turning clutter into cash:
- Know your items' worth. Check auction and e-commerce sites to learn the value of what you’re selling. Depending on the condition of your items, set your price accordingly. If any item is new or still has tags on it, be sure to note this.
- Polish your listings. Snap clear photos, list accurate details and measurements, and be upfront about any flaws. Clean your items before posting them and protect any that are fragile so they don’t break.
- Sell what people want. Holiday shoppers may be looking for gently used toys, decorations, or party wear. If you’re looking to declutter, prioritize selling these items early on in the holiday season.
- Choose the right platform. Based on what you're selling, choose the right platform to get the best chance of making a sale. Choose used clothing vendors, or use social media platforms for large items like furniture or décor. If you’re selling electronics, look for tech-focused resale websites.
- Check refund and dispute policies before listing your items. Sometimes, not every sale goes smoothly. Check the platforms’ policies to know how buyer disputes are handled.
- Use secure payment methods. Stick with what the selling platform offers for payment methods and avoid accepting checks or wire transfers for payments.
- For local, in-person sales, meet in safe locations. Avoid giving out your home address if you’re selling smaller items that can be taken to a public, safe location. Many people who buy and sell items meet at police station parking lots to complete the transaction. You can also bring a friend or family member with you.
Tips for secondhand shopping:
- Check reviews of the seller and the platform. Use reliable buy/sell platforms with good reviews, and if possible, check reviews of the seller before making a purchase. Search on BBB.org to find BBB Accredited Businesses.
- Set price alerts on saved items. Want to snag that holiday outfit you’ve been eyeing at a lower price? Some online secondhand retailers allow you to save items and set alerts for price decreases or sales, so you can get back to your to-do list and get notified when it’s time to buy.
- Inspect listings closely and ask questions if needed. Look for wear, stains, and tears. If you’re shopping in person, this is easy. If you’re looking online and the photos or descriptions in the listing are not giving you enough information, ask questions so you can be confident in your decision.
- Check for items being sold after the holidays. Late December and January are prime times for people to list holiday items they no longer want. Start watching for deals early and buy for the next holiday season.
- Respect the seller. The holiday season is busy. Don’t pressure the seller or demand drastic price cuts. If you want to negotiate the price, use recent comparable sales to justify your offer. Being a good customer can go a long way, even when it comes to thrifting!
- After you purchase, document. Immediately photograph your items upon arrival (before unwrapping) to capture any damage that is on the item. If you can return the item, you’ll have proof to dispute.
Whether you’re selling or buying, beware of common scams that happen on buy/sell platforms:
- Be suspicious of buyers offering to overpay your asking price. Overpayment scams trick sellers into giving away money. Read about this overpayment scam that has been happening on Facebook Marketplace.
- Decline to accept unconventional payment schemes like checks or wire transfers. If you’re using a digital wallet payment app, watch for signs of scams before sending money.
- If you’re buying, watch for fake shipping scams. Sometimes, scammers will tell you that you need to pay additional fees (after you already made your purchase) in order for your item to ship. If you’re being asked for additional payments, take that as a red flag.
- Be aware of common holiday shopping scams. Shopping scams are prevalent this time of year. Whether you’re looking for this season’s hottest toy or are on the hunt for another hard-to-get item, read BBB’s tips for avoiding these holiday scams.