Reselling things has become an increasingly popular way of making a bit of extra money when you need it. It is also a good way to unclutter your home and life without having to throw stuff away. There now exist a number of companies who are prepared to pay for your CDs, video games, DVDs and books. Although we can’t always bear to part with items, it can be a solid way to raise funds in a hurry.
If you’re looking to make some cash, then it makes sense to do things in a way which will maximise your return. By working smart with what you’ve got, you can really make a difference to your bottom line. Below are some handy tips for ensuring that your resale raises more and brings you closer to the end goal.
Rare Is Worth So Much More
If you’re a film buff, a music nerd or a bookworm than the chances are you have some items in your collection that are hard to find. For as long as there have been books, music and films there have been people who will pay good money to own them. The rarer, the better. Of course rare items can be hard to part with, but the music, film or book is probably available to stream or download. Ask yourself which you need more – the curio or the cash?
Condition Is Important
If you are someone who reads a lot, the chances are that many of the books on your shelves are quite well-thumbed and a bit discolored. Truth is, you might not get as much for these as you will for an item that is in pristine condition. Collectors will pay more for something that has been kept in plastic and rarely used. CDs with cases intact and no marks or scratches, books still in their jackets – so if possible, make sure your items look good as new.
Complete Collections = Cash!
If you’ve been buying music for some years, then the chances are that you’ve compiled a complete collection or two. That’s to say you have every official recording made by a group or artist. Similarly, most of us readers have a favorite author or two and have assembled a collection of their books. When it comes to reselling, collections are King. Completists will often pay more for a full collection than they will for the sum of its parts.
Provenance – A Guarantee Can Make A Difference!
Some hard-to-find items can be very lucrative and, as a result, there is sometimes cause to question where they have come from. If someone is prepared to sell a first-edition Oscar Wilde or a rare Elvis bootleg, then the buyer might reasonably ask why they’re not holding on to it. If you have a certificate of provenance, it helps to prove that you haven’t stolen it.
Of course it can be hard to part with items which may have sentimental value which may feel like it exceeds their cash price – but when you do need the money it makes sense to get as much as possible.
