Reverse Retail Therapy or The Case of the Tossies

It all started with that first listing. I was watching Zillenial Budgets on YouTube and she mentioned selling items on Mercari. What is that? I didn't know. So to the Internets I went and the Internets did NOT disappoint. I'm from the eBay and OfferUp era, do I daresay Craigslist. Is that still active? I don't want to think about it (hahaha!).

During the perpetual holiday hours of the world (aka pandemic closure), I somehow managed a bit of magic. I wear a size 12 shoe in women's. If you're in the 10+ sizes, raise your right shoe up in solidarity and repeat after me, "My foot is not large, your shoe is just small" or you can keep crying over the lack of in stock cute and decently priced footwear like I do. After our return to the workforce, I realized my feet had mysteriously shrunk to a size 11. WHAT? You'd think I'd jump for joy, but ultimately I fell over in agony. I have a closet full of heels that I love, and now thanks to my Hogwarts acceptance letter, can no longer fit.

This brings me back to Mercari. The lightbulb went off and I imagined me selling my shoes to the masses. I'd be packaging heels daily, shipping them to other smiling big feets across the nation. Each one would rip open their box with anticipation and clutch their new possession to their chest. Man... let me tell you. Reality can be so depressing. I did list. I did sell. I did ship. I didn't realize this is another JOB I've taken on, nor did I realize how addicting it is. Oooo let me tell you! Once that first transaction hit, I realized I had things people wanted to buy. Things I wasn't using. Things that could make me money. Do you see the spiral? Do you see me swirling into the resell abyss? I CANT STOP SELLING MY STUFF!!

I've now ventured out to Poshmark as well. I have a mini shop setup in my bedroom. Here are my tips to selling items online: Do it. That's my tip, LOL!! No, seriously...

1. locate the items you want to sell and keep them handy. You don't want to have to hunt for them once they sell.

2. take great photos and multiple angles/shots/good lighting

3. check the price point on different apps/sites- Just because it's valuable to YOU doesn't mean it's worth a lot of money. Somebody had to tell you. HA!

4. learn the rules for the site/app - shipping costs, selling vs listing fees, how often do they payout? returns... see where Im going?

5. Get your shipping under control- boxes, packaging, tape, printer paper for labels, thank you notes...

6. THANK YOUs- I think this is a great touch. It's definitely your choice. I made some thank you cards that simply thank the buyer for their purchase and ask them to leave an honest review at their convenience.

One more shipping tip: I use the postage deals the apps offer. You can choose to have the buyer pay or you can pay. They have discounted rates even if you're covering the shipping. I can print labels from home and just drop off at the post office without waiting in line. It also alerts the buyer the item has been shipped and they receive the tracking number.

Am I getting rich from this? Heck no. Am I earning some money I can use in my household? Heck yes! Im also decluttering and releasing myself of these bonds to material things. I was holding on to stuff... FOR NO REASON!! I plan to test my luck with our local resell stores too for my kid items (Kid to Kid) and books (Bookmans). Bookmans I plan to take the credit so we can buy more books. I do have a cutoff date or expiration for my current listings. Whatever isn't sold by mid December will be listed as free or donated to my local Goodwill.

That's it for now. I just accepted an offer on eBay for some heels I listed. It's $2 less than I posted, but I'm okay with that. Off to the post office I go... HAPPY SELLING :)