Save the nation $3.6 billion this Christmas – Buy second hand

 Yep, I know, it’s kind of “no s%$t Sherlock” kinda thing, but if we all shopped online for second-hand stuff, we’d save a bunch of money.  That’s the point Gumtree are making today with data showing the total cost of Christmas in Australia.

We spend $10 billion – B – for – Billion – on gifts alone, somehow that’s $700 per person, blimey.

Gumtree’s research showed 86% of people said Christmas put a strain on their finances with gifts the biggest reason.

So Gumtree crunched the numbers on what we could save and they reckon $250 per person.  A total of $3.6 billion.

Now, lets assume we don’t all want second-hand stuff, even a percentage of that saving would be good right?

Lots of people wouldn’t mind either – more than 50% were ok with getting a second-hand gift for Christmas.

Kirsty Dunn, spokesperson for Gumtree said, “There’s certainly a stigma attached to buying Christmas presents from a marketplace like Gumtree. We know that it’s an exceptionally expensive time of year but we believe gift givers could be much savvier with their money, and still put a smile on the recipient’s face, simply by thinking Gumtree this Christmas. There’s more than 2.5 million listings across Australia and a mix of both new and pre-loved items, so whether it’s a LEGO set for the kids or a bike or bag for your partner, plenty of Aussies are sure to find the perfect gifts at a fraction of the price.

The top 10 most wanted Christmas gifts this year are:

1. Jewellery – 1.3 million Australians
2. Clothing – 1.3 million Australians
3. iPad tablet – 900,000 Australians
4. Smart phone/iPhone – 895,000 Australians
5. Home accessories – 782,000 Australians
6. Sporting equipment – 630,000 Australians
7. Headphone speakers – 603,000 Australians
8. BBQ – 582,000 Australians
9. Camera – 564,000 Australians
10. Smartwatch – 400,000 Australians

To make things easy and safe, here’s dome tips for buyers and sellers using Gumtree (provided by Gumtree):

TIPS FOR BUYING ON GUMTREE THIS CHRISTMAS

1. Do your research: Dedicate time to researching what’s out there and the average price of similar items. The saved searches tool is great if you’re looking for a particular item or brand, as it provides you with an email update whenever a similar item is listed.
2. Ask questions: When first contacting the seller, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions about the condition of the item and why it’s for sale, as well as if there are receipts or warranties available. It’s easy to contact a seller via the Gumtree My Messages feature.
3. Negotiate: Don’t be afraid to negotiate a price you think is fair but don’t offer an unrealistic amount.
4. Meet in person: A transaction should always be made face-to-face, with an in-person payment once the goods have been inspected or the service completed. Never send or wire money to somebody you don’t know. For personal ease and safety, arrange to meet in a public place and take a friend or family member with you.
5. Common sense: Use common sense when buying online. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

TIPS FOR SELLING ITEMS ON GUMTREE THIS CHRISTMAS                                                          

1. Do your research: Dedicate time to researching 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. You can be as creative as you like!
3. Upload high quality photos: Upload high quality images to make sure your listing stands out from the rest. You can also pay to upgrade your ad to ensure more people see it
4. Manage your listing: Ensure you keep on top of messages from potential buyers.   Communicate quickly and directly through My Messages and download the Gumtree app on your phone so you can manage your ad on the go. You can even buy an upgrade for your listing, to help your ad stand out from others in that category
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 a friend with you