Can I store goods I’m planning to sell in my storage unit?

Many people do use their storage unit to keep goods for sale, and use the extra space to take listings photographs or to pack things ready for posting. Our insurance isn’t suitable for business inventory, however.

Can I store items for a boot fair in my storage unit?

We will insure all stored domestic goods, and that includes clothing, brick-a-brack, crockery, ornaments, toys and whatever else you are saving for a boot fair.

What insurance do I need for self storage?

The basic cover is for named perils only eg. losses arising from a major catastrophe such as a flood or fire and should include loss or damage for the transit to and from the self storage facility. We strongly recommend you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) which will give you a plain English explanation of the cover afforded without the 'small print'. All insurance providers MUST make this available to you. If your self storage facility does not provide such a document then you should question the validity of their insurance.

Why shouldn’t I use stock photos when selling new or nearly new stuff?

It might seem like a time-saver to nab a picture of your new or nearly new item off a retailer site. But many selling sites frown on this practice. And potential buyers want to see an image of the actual item that you are hoping to sell to them. Stock photos will make buyers wonder if you even have the item in your possession.

Managing your sale on a social media marketplace - Storage Insurance News & Advice

Social media is a great tool for finding people who can give a new life to domestic goods that you no longer need.

Describe your second-hand item accurately in your for-sale ad

Describing your for-sale item well will reduce the number of questions you have to field. Being upfront about defects will save you time and effort later on, too. If the thing you’re selling is still available new, you can base your text on the catalogue description. Buyers generally like to know details such as dimensions, model number, colour and condition, as well as any accessories or extras you will throw in.

How do I take photos for selling on social media?

Pics taken on your phone should be fine for a social media sale. Take pictures from all angles, and don’t forget to include shots of any damage – bumps, dings, scratches and rips. For some buyers these will not be dealbreakers, but people do like to know what they’re getting before they turn up to inspect or collect.

Edit your pictures before posting: rotate them so they are easy to view, and crop any extra detail. To learn more about taking pictures for social media sales, see our post.

Have a plan for sharing your sale on social media

Sharing your for-sale ad on your personal network can get you a quick sale – it’s easier to arrange a hand-over for an item with a buyer that you know well or who you see regularly. Try to use a selling platform that will allow you to easily share your for-sale ad on – for example – NextDoor or your local WhatsApp group.

Are you selling items that need to be viewed?

When selling furniture that will need to be dismantled, bear in mind that people will want to look at it erected before deciding to buy. This can be annoying if you’re in a hurry to clear the space in your home, but a bit of patience at this stage will mean a quicker sale.

Your storage unit is a good space to keep furniture that you’re selling, and like all your stored personal property, it will be covered by your policy with Store and Insure.

Be ready to haggle and bargain to get the most out of social media selling

Many buyers will try to haggle, and it may be worth giving a discount to a buyer who is ready to pick up quickly. Think about the lowest price you’re prepared to take, and then add 10-20% so you have some room for haggling. When haggling works as it should, both parties think they’ve had a bargain.

Some buyers seem to believe that there is a queuing system on social media marketplaces – but as a seller, you’re allowed to prioritise the politest, most responsive buyer who offers the full asking price and is ready to pick up today.

Watch out for fraudulent buyer scams on selling sites

Unfortunately, there are some bad guys out there posing as honest shoppers. A quick check of their profile will tell you if they are genuinely local. If they have no friends and no recent content, that’s a red flag. Pushy behaviour is another thing to watch for. And any offer that is too good to be true, probably is. Admins of the selling site will want to know about the scammer; and then you can block them. Scamwatch UK has some information about Facebook Marketplace scams.