The second hand market is booming, we’ve got some expert tips from the blokes who know

Gumtree is the new Trading Post.  Back in my day if you wanted to buy or sell, you’d pickup the Trading Post one week and find a bargain or list your item.  Today, it’s all about online, and Gumtree have done some research into Australia’s Second Hand economy and we’ve tracked down some expert tips on making the most of your “trash” and turning it into Cash.

According to the Gumtree research, 89% of the population are holding onto unwanted items and they reckon that equates to on average 26 items around the house ready to be sold.

Turn that into cash and we’ve got $30 billion worth of “stuff” lying around.  So let’s sell!

Those bloody Gen Y’s seem to know their stuff, cashing in their unwanted goods for a total of $6,268 across the year, over $1,500 above the national average.

But it’s not just the Gen Y’s, people are buying second-hand to save money, with most people estimating they can save almost half the cost of a new item, while two thirds simply prefer buying second-hand to new!

On this week’s episode of Your Tech Life (Episode 298), I chatted to Aussie Pickers Lucas Callaghan and Adam McDonald who offered up  range of advice on buying and selling second-hand items.

These blokes live and breathe the second-hand game – picking random properties for gems, and selling them at both old school auctions, in store and online.

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From the folks at GumTree, some tips for selling online:

1. Be honest: Dedicate time to research what’s out there and the average price of similar items to make sure you’re setting a fair price.
2. Be descriptive: Describe the product you’re selling, including its features, a brief history and reasons for selling the item. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to make a sale at the price you’re looking for.
3. Upload high quality photos: Gumtree allows up to 5 photos for every listing. Use this to your advantage by uploading high quality images to make sure your listing stands out from the rest.
4. Manage your listing: Ensure you keep on top of incoming ad responses. Communicate quickly and directly with potential buyers through My Messages and download the Gumtree app on your phone so you can manage your ad on the go.
5. Always meet face-to-face: When buying or selling, it’s important to meet in-person to see the item and exchange money. For personal ease and safety, have someone with you if a buyer is coming to your home or workplace.

Happy selling!