Finding that item you were looking for is fun to do, and once found, buying it is easy with Loot in The Loft.

To begin buying on 'The Loft' though, you will first need to be a registered member. You can register for free and it's easy to do!!

Once you've joined our community, you can Buy or Sell with ease. When you click the Buy link in the navigation bar, you will be taken to the buying pages. Once there, you can click on the items you find to obtain more information about them, ask the Seller questions about their item and arrange viewings and pickups. If you are happy with the item, pay the Seller and take it away with you. Remember though, that you must be prepared to pay for the item at the viewing if you want it, as the Seller is under no obligation to reserve it for you.

In a nutshell, here are the steps to take during the buying process:-

Find the item you want to buy

Search for it by entering two or three keywords into a search field located on most Loot in The Loft pages or just browse through our listing categories - it's out there somewhere.

Research the item

Find out as much about the item as you can. Look for similar items to check prices, ages or special conditions. After all, you will want to know that the item you've found is really the bargain it seems.

Contact the Seller to ask questions or arrange viewings

Once you've found your item, researched it and are happy it's the one for you, you will need to contact the Seller to ask questions or arrange viewings. Click on the "Ask Seller a Question" button to do this.

View and pay for the item

Arrange a mutually convenient time with the Seller for you to view their sale item. If you are happy it's as described in their advert, in good condition, etc., pay for it and it's yours.

Please bear in mind that at this stage, you are under no obligation to buy the item, and the Seller is under no obligation to sell it to you.

NOTE: DO NOT, under any circumstances, send cash or cheques through the post as payment for an item, even if the Seller contacts you with promises that they will send you the goods if you send them the payment first. You will more than likely never see either of them again.

Go and view the item and pay in person.

Loot in The Loft is the online trading centre for anything and everything you've ever wanted to sell or buy. Clear your Loft or garage here, or maybe buy something you've always wanted at a fraction of the high street price. Discover hidden treasures which other people think of as clutter. Trade locally or nationally, the choice is yours.

It's easy to use and (more importantly) cheap as well.

Have fun browsing or sell those things you've been hoarding for (how long?).

You don't need to register to browse through the bargains, but to use the Loot in The Loft buying and selling services you need to register and become a member of the community.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our Loot in The Loft community, you can find out more about:

• How to find the item you want.

• How you can buy items you've found.

• How to sell your unwanted items.

Whatever you have, selling it is easy with 'The Loft'.

The basic steps to follow are:-

1. Find the item you want to sell 

2. Research your item

3. List your item  

4. Answer buyers questions

5. Arrange viewing time with your Buyer

6. Get Paid

Please bear in mind that at this stage, you are under no obligation to sell your item to the potential Buyer, and they are under no obligation to buy it from you.

The basic steps you will use to sell on Loot in The Loft are:-

1. Find the item you want to sell

Look in your lofts, garages, outhouses or wherever and dig out anything you want to turn into cash.

2. Research your item

Do some research on the item your are thinking of selling. Find items similar to yours and check the prices they're currently being advertised at. You should also note which categories other people are placing their item in to give you an idea of where it sells best.

To find items like yours, you can either visit 'The Loft's Home page, then type two or three keywords into the search box and click the "Search" button, or do the same thing in the search box at the top right hand corner of most Loot in The Loft pages. For example:- to search for a mobile phone, type mobile phone into the search box and click the "Search" button. You will then be taken to the Buy pages where your search results will be displayed.

If you prefer to narrow your search criteria, i.e., search for items in your area or from one particular seller, then click on the Advanced Search link.

3. List your item

To list your item, click on the Sell link in the navigation bar at the top of any Loot in The Loft page. Once on the selling pages, you will be taken through the very easy selling process.

Make sure you describe your item fully and truthfully to avoid any issues later, i.e. you don't want any potential Buyers at a viewing saying your item is "not as described".

4. Answer buyers questions

Once your insertion fee is paid and your item is listed you will (if you've set your price right) start to receive Emails from your potential Buyers asking you for more details or for your contact address where they can view your item.

Answer the Buyers questions as fully as possible - remember, you are trying to sell your item and the more information about it, the more likely it is to sell.

5. Arrange viewing time with your Buyer

ONLY give your contact address if you are confident that your potential Buyer is enquiring to arrange viewing of your item and is serious about buying it.

6. Get Paid

If your Buyer likes what they see (and they should have no reason not to - should they!!), accept payment from them.

Take care when accepting payment. Cash is obviously the best method, but if your item has a large value, you may want to consider other payment methods, like personal cheques, etc. DO NOT let your item go until you have cleared funds in your account, but do insist on a deposit if your Buyer wants you to reserve the item for them.

Please bear in mind that at this stage, you are under no obligation to sell your item to the potential Buyer, and they are under no obligation to buy it from you.