So, you’re in need of quick cash and you’re looking to sell off some things you own.
This is an excellent tactic when times are tough. However, a lot of online selling sites and even local options can have delayed payment terms. In other words, you don’t get paid fast enough to cover your bills or expenses.
That’s why this guide is covering some of the most reliable places to sell and get paid instantly. It includes heaps of local options as well as some online marketplaces with fast payouts.
Where Can I Sell And Get Paid Instantly?
1. Host A Garage Sale
Throwing a garage sale on a nice weekend is an excellent way to turn your unused stuff into cash. And the fact you’re dealing with cash buyers is why this method is so effective.
Popular things to sell at garage sales include clothing, furniture, appliances, books, games, toys, electronics, and baby gear.
The main downside is you likely need to advertise around your neighborhood with flyers. But you can also post your garage sale on websites like PostMyGarageSale and Garage Sale Finder to drum up attention.
2. Pawn Shops
Pawn shops are a classic option for selling stuff for instant payments. Commonly, people sell things like jewelry, antiques, collectibles, tools, coins, and other valuables.
Pawn shops generally buy things outright for cash on the spot. However, you can also “pawn” items, posting them as collateral for a short-term loan. Pawning can help people out if they’re in a tough financial spot. However, if you don’t pay back your pawn loan, you lose the item you’ve put up as collateral, and the loans aren’t that great anyways compared to standard personal loan providers.
That said, pawn shops are still a great way to turn a collection or valuable piece of yours into cash the very same day. Just know your prices before heading in because shrewd pawn shop owners will certainly be tough negotiators.
Pro Tip: Use Worthy to safely sell your jewelry, watches, and diamonds online!
3. Facebook Marketplace
The Facebook Marketplace is another place you can sell and get paid instantly if you deal with local cash buyers.
Posting items is free and easy. You use Facebook Messenger to communicate with potential buyers, and you can easily arrange a cash sale at your house or in a safe public area.
Common items to sell include shoes, electronics, sports equipment, apparel, and toys. But almost anything is eligible for sale. Just be ready to haggle since Facebook Marketplace is known for some lowball offers.
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4. Craigslist
Like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist is an easy way to sell stuff for instant cash. You can list almost anything for sale on this classified site. Make sure you only look for cash buyers since this is how you can ensure you get paid the moment you make a sale.
The Budget Diet also recommends meeting with your buyer in a busy, public place. Meeting near police stations can also be a safer bet. If you decide to sell from your home, make sure someone else is home ideally and again, consider meeting in a public area.
5. OfferUp
OfferUp is a popular selling app that acquired a similar selling app, LetGo. Since then, it’s become a massive player in the local and online reselling space. And it’s also a great addition to sell stuff to get paid instantly.
People post almost anything for sale on OfferUp. Clothing, jewelry, sports gear, furniture, household goods, and collectibles are just a few examples.
You can also sell locally through OfferUp. This is the best way to get same-day cash payments, and it’s a useful alternative to Craigslist and the Facebook Marketplace.
OfferUp also lets you post items for sale online. However, OfferUp charges a 12.9% online sales fee, which is quite steep. Plus, online sales take a few days to pay you after a buyer receives their shipment, which is too slow in many cases.
This is the same issue a lot of online selling sites like Mercari, eBay, Poshmark, ThredUp, and TheRealReal face. If you have a few days, you can explore online selling marketplaces. But generally, in-person cash sales are what you want.
6. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is another local classifieds site where people can connect with people in their neighborhood for events and to buy and sell things. It’s similar to Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, making it an excellent site to sell things locally for cash.
7. Worthy
While this site doesn’t pay the same day, Worthy is one of the safest ways to sell jewelry, diamonds, and watches online for cash.
The platform is also very simple to use. Simply submit your pieces to Worthy and the company will pay for you to ship them to its headquarters. From there, Worthy values, cleans, and prepares your pieces for sale in one of its many online auctions.
You get to work with an auction manager to ensure you get a price you’re happy with. If your pieces sell in an auction, you get paid directly to PayPal or your bank account after Worthy takes out a fee.
No sale, no problem; Worthy also ships pieces back to people at no-charge if they don’t sell. Overall, this is a safe and secure way for you to get cash for your jewelry and watches, and the entire process is streamlined.
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What Kind Of Items Should I Sell?
There are plenty of things you can sell to get paid instantly, with some popular items including:
- Apparel (especially brand names)
- Baby gear and clothing
- Books
- Bikes
- Cars
- Collectibles like coins, comic books, and trading cards
- Electronics (especially phones and laptops)
- Games
- Seasonal items and decor
- Shoes and sneakers
- Sports gears
- Tools
- Video games
Generally, selling items that are gently used or like new also gets you the fastest sale. When listing online, always describe your item’s condition accurately. Listing other information like brand, size, material, and if you live in a smoke-free or pet-free home can also help.
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How To Avoid Scams When Selling Stuff Online Or In-Person
Unfortunately, there are numerous scams buyers can use to defraud sellers. And a lot of these scams occur when you try to sell stuff online instead of in person:
- Don’t Use Strange Payment Methods: If a local buyer asks to pay you with checks, PayPal, Cash App, or some kind of payment method besides cash, it could be a scam. This is because buyers can sometimes reverse charges after you give them an item, effectively getting it for free. If you sell online, only use payment methods the website recommends.
- Don’t Give Out Unnecessary Personal Information: If buyers ask for your bank details or credit card information, it’s likely a scam. You don’t need this kind of information to accept payments via processors like PayPal or Cash App.
- Meet Where It’s Safe: As mentioned, meeting your buyers in busy public areas or with a friend can help increase safety.
If you’re selling online, you can also read this guide from the FTC on how to avoid scammers.
Alternatives To Make Quick Cash
Selling stuff you own is a proven way to supplement your income in short notice. However, there are plenty of other options you can consider, including:
- Turning to personal loans or borrowing money from friends and family
- Starting an at-home side hustle
- Getting a part-time job
- Using cash advance apps like Klover to borrow money
- Finding ways to reduce your spending each month
- Applying to benefits programs that help out low-income families
Even making an extra $200 a month with a side job or hustle can make a massive difference. So, make sure you've explored all your options before deciding to sell stuff.
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Final Thoughts
If you want to sell stuff and get paid instantly, you have plenty of options. However, sticking with local cash sales is likely your best bet.
Just make sure to do your homework and know your bottom price before going into a sale. Negotiating and communicating with buyers is part of the process. So, the more information you have going into a sale, the better.
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