Super Salesman!

As we started selling unused but useful stuff last November for downsizing, in online Marketplaces, in less than 2 month period, I evolved from a novice salesman to a "highly rated" "Super Seller"!

 

Highly Rated Super Seller 😀

There are two sides to a sale - seller and buyer, supply and demand. The essential of a sale is supply and demand - is there a need for the stuff I want to sell? if there is, how high the demand is, typically many other people are selling the same or similar stuff I try to sell. If there is no demand, then I have no chance to sell.

Here I will focus on how to make a sale when there is demand.

The number 1 trait my customers valued is timely response to their inquiries. Typically people will shop around to get the best price for the items they want. The fast response makes me a leg ahead of competition! Since the inquiries usually come at meal times or weekends, I reply them right away if I have my phone with me.

The number 2 trait my customers value is the description of the sale item. When I write a description for a sale item, I put myself in the buyer's shoe, what I want to know if I plan to buy the item. Sometimes I also include a bit educational content, e.g. a framed nature poster is great for home office. When buyers made inquiry about certain aspects of an item, which I did not provide in my original description, I would quickly add those information in so the next prospect buyer would have the information. 

The 3rd trait my customers like the most is fair pricing. To sell an item, I always do a quick Marketplace survey to see what are the prevailing price. If my item is "used- like new", I would list it at prevailing price, if it is "used - good" or "used - fair" I would list the item at a price lower than prevailing price. As described in "One man's trash is another man's treasure", for the heavily used and very old items, I list them at very low price for quick sale. 

Here are a few short stories of  sales. 

This used racket was sold to a person who bought it for his beginning child

This used Wilson tennis racket was not super popular. So when I got an inquiry about it, I replied right away, and provided requested information. Through text exchanges, it was obvious the person intended to buy. So when he asked for a discount I allowed 10% discount right away. The racket was sold the same day it was listed!

futon was very popular

Furniture such as futon, bed, sofa have been very popular. I listed them at market values. The shown futon received over 200 views the day I listed it, many text inquiries. A few people offered price at 20% to 40% off my listed price. I resisted the temptation to make a quick sale due to the high interests and my fair price for the item. The  day after listing of the futon I got a message from a buyer who wanted to buy the futon at its full price. The buyer told me why he needed the futon and we had quite some text exchange until he came for pickup the next day. In fact I sold 1 futon, 2 beds, 2 sofa, all at listed prices,

ski boots

I treated my customers as I would like to be treated, and help them when help is needed. A couple bought this pair of ski boots at listed price. When they came to pick up and try them on, it was apparent they were novice to skiing. So I taught them how to put the boots on, as well as how to carry them. 

I helped an old man to load sofa into his truck, reminded the woman who bought infant bed about the Allen wrench and screws, put tea set in a nice sturdy paper bag for my customer and left it outside for her easy pickup.

It is relatively easy to sell popular items; for not so popular item, all I need is to find the one person who needs the item I am selling. For the latter, marketing is critical. One needs to make a good presentation of the item, set a fair price, and reach as many people on the market place as possible  - joining some local garage sale groups is one way to target local buyers. 

In summary, sale to me is like anything else I do, it is a problem that I need to solve; as I got into the groove quickly, I enjoy the salesman role very much, like the handyman jobs around the houses.

Note 

Some observations on selling used items 

1) first impression is very important - e.g. if you list an item $10, it may sell quickly, if you start at $20, and eventually lower it to $10, you may still have a hard time to sell

2) timing is very important, especially for seasonal items - Christmas light for example.

3) Price is king  - online used items buyers are bargain hunters, like those go to garage sale

4) Most people don't like to negotiate even if I stated negotiable. A handful of people are on the other extreme, no discount no purchase

4)  People don't come  to Online Marketplace o buy new or expensive items. Online marketplace is online garage sales.

5) No demand no sale. No demand from my target customers doesn't mean no demand everywhere