When it concerns offering previously owned products online, there’s no scarcity of alternatives. From Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor, to classics like Craigslist and eBay, if there’s something you’re wanting to purchase (or offer), there are numerous methods to discover it.
More just recently, there has actually been a boost in vintage and other previously owned dealerships (and routine folks) offering their items on Instagram, so it makes good sense that it’s taking place on TikTok too.
But together with outfit fashion jewelry that when came from somebody’s grandmother, which end table that no longer deal with your decoration, both apps are likewise loaded with influencers. Not that there’s anything incorrect with that, however if they occur to be offering things, you might discover yourself being affected into paying a greater cost for a product than it’s worth. Here’s how to prevent doing that while shopping on TikTok.
How to go shopping on TikTok without paying too much
Influencers or not, there are offers to be had on TikTok. Like any online sales platform, there are likewise expensive products, deceitful sellers, and flat-out frauds. Here are some suggestions for preventing them:
Do your research
This isn’t TikTok-specific, however as a basic guideline, constantly do a minimum of a couple of minutes of research study prior to purchasing anything from individuals offering their things online. Utilize any info you can discover in the product description and pictures– like the producer, designer, year, design number, pattern name, and so on– and do a fast online look for the product (or a minimum of something similar). You can likewise attempt browsing straight on eBay.
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No luck? Pop among the listing pictures into Google Lens The outcomes you get depend upon things like the rarity of the product, and the quality of the image, however in general, it can be an actually useful tool for finding other examples of the piece.
The concept for the research study is, firstly, to learn what the product costs somewhere else, and, in turn, whether the one you’ve been considering on TikTok is really a bargain. It can likewise inform you more about it, like whether the one you’re interested in is in fairly great condition, whether whatever’s initial, and so on.
Ask concerns
If, after doing your own research study, you still have concerns about a product, you can ask the seller (pleasantly) in a message. We’re discussing things anybody can address, like the size of a piece of clothes, whether a chair is black or navy (since it’s uncertain in the pictures), or whether there’s staining on the back of the chair.
Keep in mind that not every seller is a designer or classic dealership, or has a background in what they’re offering. They might not even understand what they’re offering, and simply desire to get it out of their house. Once again, the concept is to read more about the product to assist you figure out whether it’s worth the asking cost. Simply keep in mind to be considerate of seller’s time.
Act quickly
The market for vintage and other pre-owned products is more competitive in some locations than others, however as a basic guideline, if you see something that you’re certainly thinking about purchasing the sale price, the much faster you act, the much better.
Yes, that implies messaging the seller immediately to reveal interest, however likewise letting them understand that you’re prepared and ready to take it off their hands and spend for it that day (if they’re readily available)– specifically if it’s furnishings or another large product that’s using up area.
Making the payment
On the latest episode of the Antiques Freaks podcast, cohosts Kenneth Henry and Dee Leger talked about buying antique and classic products from Craigslist (though the pointers use here, too) in the best method possible, and discussed the real exchange of the item for cash.
Leger suggests utilizing Venmo or CashApp for any purchases over $20, and doing the real transfer of funds (through the app) in front of the seller, right prior to they turn over the product (which you can see in front of you, with your own eyes).
Meanwhile, Clinton Tharp— who brings back and offers classic furnishings, and posts training videos on TikTok– takes a various technique. He recommends messaging the seller and providing to spend for the product by means of Venmo or PayPal prior to you satisfy them to select it up.
In a 2021 interview, he stated that spending for products sight hidden (aside from the photos in the listing) has actually permitted him to vanquish other excited consumers in a competitive market, and get the pieces he desired at a low rate.
However, it must go without stating that a lot of things can fail utilizing this method, consisting of losing your cash since the product does not exist, or was currently offered. We would not would not utilize this method ourselves, it is obviously a thing individuals do. Regardless of how the exchange goes down, constantly prioritize your security.