Clear condition notes and a reliable handover routine help you sell second-hand with more confidence—and keep orders moving as your business grows. Use this checklist before you list, price or dispatch an item.
Ready to plan delivery for an order? Start on Send to see the options and prices that apply to your parcel.
What is this second-hand selling checklist for?
It helps you do three things well: record what condition the item is actually in, make the listing match the item, and compare its price with genuinely similar goods. That clarity helps prevent misunderstandings before a customer places an order.
How do you document the condition of a used item?
Inspect the item in good light, take photos of the whole item and any flaws, then describe what you found in specific terms. Avoid relying on a vague label such as “good condition” to do all the explaining.
- Clothing: check seams, fastenings, stains, holes, fading and measurements.
- Electronics: check power, key functions, ports, included accessories and visible damage.
- Any item: note missing parts, repairs, marks and anything else a buyer should know.
- Photos: show the item clearly, including close-ups of flaws or wear. Keep your condition claim consistent with the photos and description.
Single item or bulk bale: what should you record?
Treat them as different jobs. For one item, document its individual condition and exactly what is included. For a bulk lot, describe what the lot contains and record its count or weight, sorting method and known variations or exceptions where you know them. Don’t suggest every piece was individually checked if it wasn’t.
How can you compare second-hand prices fairly?
Compare close equivalents: the same model or a genuinely similar one, condition, age, completeness, size or specifications, and sale format. Keep asking prices separate from completed-sale evidence where available. A single-item listing is not a direct comparison for a bulk lot.
What easy-to-miss checks prevent order disputes?
- Before handover, check that the item or lot still matches the listing.
- Keep a record of condition notes agreed with the customer.
- Confirm the recipient and the collection or delivery details.
- Use a repeatable order routine: prepare the item, check the details, then hand it over. This makes it easier to keep orders organised when several are waiting.
Make your next second-hand order easier to manage: prepare an honest listing, check the handover details and start on Send to see the applicable delivery options and prices.
