How to sell used items online in a few minutes with Lendmates

Almost every home has a corner where the things we no longer use end up. The hallway cupboard with the bread maker someone gave you for Christmas, the cellar with a kids' bike that nobody fits on anymore, the wardrobe with a jacket bought one size too small and never exchanged. Learning how to sell used items online is the easiest way to free up space and put some money back in your pocket, and on Lendmates each listing takes just a few minutes. Here is how it works, from the first photo to the moment you get paid.

Where to start when you want to sell things you don't use

The first step has nothing to do with the app. Walk around your home with fresh eyes and ask yourself what you haven't touched in the last year. You'll usually find things that sell well second hand, from the tablet only your dad still uses to the car seat sitting in the garage, along with running shoes worn twice and small appliances still in their box.

You don't need to clear out the whole house in one afternoon. Start with two or three items, the ones that take up the most room or are worth the most. Seeing them sold will make you want to carry on with the rest.

A few photos and the listing almost writes itself

Writing a listing is the part that makes people put everything off. Title, category, description, details, and suddenly the evening is gone. On Lendmates it works the opposite way. You open the app, choose to sell and take a few photos of the item. The listing almost writes itself, with a title, a category and a first description already filled in. You check that everything is right, add what only you know (how long you've had it, whether it has a flaw, what's in the box) and publish.

For the photos, common sense still applies. Stand near a window, pick a clean background and shoot the whole item first, then the details. If there's a scratch or a stain, show that too. A flaw shown upfront avoids arguments later and tells whoever is looking that you're a serious person.

How to price second hand items

Price is where most people hesitate. The simplest method is to look at listings similar to yours, same model and similar condition, and stay around the middle. If you want to sell quickly, go a little lower. If the item is almost new and you still have the box and receipt, you can ask a bit more.

To give you an idea, here are a few market estimates for items in good condition. They're only indicative and vary a lot from one model to the next.

Sometimes you own something you use twice a year and don't want to part with completely, like a camping tent or a hammer drill. In that case you can rent it out instead of selling it. We covered this in our guide on choosing between selling and renting out.

Every buyer is a verified person

Selling to a stranger always feels a bit odd, especially the first few times. That's why everyone who signs up to Lendmates verifies their identity. When someone messages you about your listing, you know there's a real person on the other side, and the same goes for anyone buying from you.

To agree on the details you use the chat inside the app. The buyer asks for measurements or an extra photo, you reply when you have a moment, and neither of you has to share a phone number. You can read more in our article on how the Lendmates in-app chat works.

Selling across Italy with shipping

When you sell on Lendmates there's no distance limit. The car seat can leave from Lecce and reach a family in Trento, the jacket can travel from Genoa to Pescara. Opening your listing to the whole country means finding the right buyer sooner, and often at a better price than if you only looked for someone nearby.

Packing just takes a little care. Use a sturdy box of the right size, wrap the item well and fill the gaps with paper or bubble wrap so that nothing moves when you shake it. Before taping it shut, take a photo of what's inside. It takes two seconds and, in the rare case a parcel arrives dented, you'll be glad you did.

Protected payment looks after you and the buyer

The buyer pays directly in the app and you receive the money once the purchase is completed, meaning when the item has arrived and matches the listing. You don't have to check bank transfers or trust a screenshot of a receipt. The buyer, for their part, knows the money won't disappear before the item is in their hands, which makes them far more willing to buy.

If one day you find yourself on the other side, our guide on buying second hand online safely has a few tips to do it calmly.

After the sale come the reviews

Once the exchange is done, you leave each other a review. Your first reviews matter more than they seem, because they're what makes the next person trust your profile, and they help you sell the second item faster, and then the third.

With the same account you can also buy and rent. Maybe the money from the small bike pays for one in the right size, or you rent a tent for a weekend in the mountains instead of buying one you'd use once a year.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to list an item on Lendmates?

A few minutes. You take some photos, the listing almost writes itself, and all you have to do is check it, set the price and publish.

Can I sell to someone who lives in another city?

Yes. Selling on Lendmates works across the whole of Italy and the item travels by courier. Distance only matters when you rent, because rented items are picked up in person.

When do I get paid for a sale?

The buyer pays in the app and you receive the money once the purchase is completed, so after the item has arrived and matches your description.

Which used items sell best online?

Almost anything in good condition finds a buyer, especially electronics, baby and kids' gear, branded clothing, sports equipment and small kitchen appliances. Clear photos and an honest description make a big difference.

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