The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Selling Stuff Online

Selling things online is as easy as one, two, three, or is it? While the process of putting your goods up for sale online is easy enough, the seller can be beset by several difficulties along the way.

While making the sale is an income or booster, are you getting the most out of the online opportunity? Learn from the mistakes of others so that you can avoid them the next time you’re selling stuff online.

1. Full disclosure

A significant number of sales failures are caused by a disconnect between what you’re offering and what the buyer is getting. For example, if you’re selling used goods, tell potential buyers about the sale item’s history. How old is it? How many owners has it had? Is it damaged or showing signs of wear and tear?

The outcome of not telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth is usually a mutual disappointment. You cannot deliver on what the buyer expects. And the fault often lies with you because you didn’t allow them to create a realistic expectation. Of course, there are just those people who will never be pleased, despite how much you disclose about the stuff you’re selling.

2. Descriptions

It’s easy to use euphemisms when describing what you’re selling, but it seldom does you any favors. Describing a car as ‘in need of TLC’ is an example of such a euphemism.

It’s preferable to tell it like it is. If the vehicle is damaged, be upfront about it with potential buyers. Don’t try and gloss over the facts as you’ll have angry buyers accusing you of attempting to con them out of their money.

As a cash for junk cars Columbus Ohio dealer once told me, “If it’s junk, don’t be afraid to call it junk.” It will cause a lot less heartache all round.

3. Platforms

A lot of people make the mistake of listing their items for sale on the wrong platforms. They don’t do some research into which one will provide them with a quick sale at their asking price. Before deciding which site you’ll be using for a sale, think about your target market. Where are they most likely to look for an item like the one you’re selling?

Use the answer to that question to guide your decision-making. It’s not about which platform you’re comfortable or familiar with. It’s about which platform will help you make the sale.

4. Pricing

You don’t want to have to reduce your price after a couple of weeks of advertising online. It gives off a sense of desperation that many buyers will try to take advantage of.

The right price is a combination of things. First, you need to do some research. How much do similar items sell for? Second, you need to give yourself a dose of reality. You might have an inflated idea of what the sale item is worth. If you price the item too high, buyers will look for a cheaper option. But if you price the item too low, buyers will assume there’s something wrong with it.

5. Pictures

A lot of buyers feel misled by the photograph sellers use when they advertise things online. You need to make sure you take high-quality pictures from different angles. A lot of sellers lose out on customers because they have blurry images.

There’s also a balance between too many and too few photographs. Too few pictures make buyers hesitate as they’re not sure what they’re getting. But they also get frustrated by too many pictures, especially when they’re similar. Be very selective about the images you use to accompany your advertisement as they can make or break the sale.