By Brad Young, Money workforce
Unwanted objects price a whole bunch of kilos are mendacity round our houses – however realizing what’s trending on second-hand websites might be the distinction between incomes a pittance and a fairly penny.
Springtime necessities, espresso machines and marriage ceremony outfits are amongst a number of distinctive shopping for traits shared by eBay and Gumtree completely with the Money workforce.
Gumtree sellers anticipate to make £562 on common in 2024, and with almost half (48%) of Gen Z planning to earn from second-hand markets, that determine jumps to £841 amongst these aged underneath 26.
People personal 56 undesirable objects on common and “that’s simply money that’s ready to be made”, says Jill Cotton, head of public relations at Gumtree.
And Lisa Marcais, eBay UK’s director of customer-to-customer, says: “There’s in all probability one thing lurking in each room, from retro toys hiding away within the loft to a kitchen equipment you now not love to make use of.”
GUMTREE
Sunnier days forward
In the “deepest, darkest depths” of winter, individuals are considering of spring and “eager to get again outside”, Ms Cotton says.
Searches for patio and backyard furnishings have jumped a “loopy” 172% up to now month.
Garden toys, lights, lawnmowers and topsoil have additionally been trending, in addition to tents and caravan trailers up 100%.
“You can see that individuals are starting to consider exterior their houses after having snuggled down for the entire of winter,” she says.
Spring infants and summer season weddings
Wedding-related search phrases have elevated, from mother-of-the-bride outfits to bridesmaids’ attire.
“That’s in all probability as a result of over the Christmas interval, a number of folks get engaged” and now individuals are receiving their marriage ceremony invites, Ms Cotton says.
“Babywear, strollers, cribs, prams, issues like which can be additionally having a second in time as we gear up for all these spring infants.”
Always in vogue
By tallying up annual searches, Gumtree knowledge reveals sofas, tables and beds have been among the many prime most sought-after merchandise, with sellers asking for £294, £143 and £145 on common respectively.
Bikes, iPhones and guitars have been additionally on the prime of the desk, however variation between manufacturers made offering a median worth somewhat unreliable.
“It’s a number of these big-ticket objects that you just want on your home,” she says.
“So should you’re shopping for your self a brand new fridge-freezer, chest of drawers or wardrobe, undoubtedly checklist as a result of there’s completely folks all 12 months spherical in search of these objects.”
Brands
“Lego and Barbie – that’s the kind of model that’s well-loved by a number of completely different ages and all the time sells nicely on our platform,” Ms Cotton says.
Big branded objects are inclined to retain their worth finest, relying on the situation.
Designer furnishings “holds its worth very well” on Gumtree, whereas 90s vogue has been “all around the catwalk”, giving old Carhartt and Berghaus jumpers a lift.
Winter heaters
In distinction to Gumtree’s findings, Lisa Marcais says the wintery season is a harder time to promote spring-themed objects at worth.
“Seasonality performs an enormous function in what sells finest and when. Whilst the climate continues to be chilly, we anticipate to see demand for objects of heat clothes,” she says.
Searches for heated blankets elevated by 200% between 1 January and 1 February, with scarves up 55% and hats 30%.
Home tech
Being caught indoors may play a job within the excessive demand for home expertise on eBay.
“While the mornings are nonetheless darkish, home-tech objects akin to Lumie alarm clocks are notably in style as folks look to brighten gloomy mornings,” Ms Marcais says.
“We’ve additionally lately seen a surge in searches for espresso machines and cafe bar styling as folks look to create cosy cafe vibes at home.”
Customers looked for espresso machines 400% extra between Christmas and seven January, with Smeg espresso machines seeing a 116% improve and Smeg kettles 62%.
Think retro
Retro objects are coming again into fashion throughout all classes, Ms Marcais says.
Digital cameras ranked third amongst eBay’s top-selling objects in 2023, promoting for £200 on common.
Vinyl got here in eighth, incomes sellers £15 on common.
TV traits
Driving the retro development are TV reveals and films. Interest in 70s vogue elevated after the discharge of Daisy Jones And The Six, and eBay noticed a “big improve” in searches for pink garments and purses as soon as Barbie fever took maintain, in response to Ms Marcais.
“Looking forward to 2024, anticipate to see in style TV reveals and movies proceed to affect sought-after objects and take a look at when you have something that matches the development.”
Household instruments
“The recognition of family instruments all the time surprises me,” Ms Marcais says, including many individuals have a tendency to purchase instruments for one-off tasks after which promote them on.
How to make your product stand out
We requested Ms Cotton and Ms Marcais for his or her prime tips about making a second-hand sale:
- Take clear, well-lit and high-quality footage from many alternative angles
- Write a transparent, concise heading together with key phrases
- Don’t skimp on the element in your description – and use bullet factors so it is mobile-friendly
- Time your itemizing: More eyeballs are wanting on Sunday afternoon (Gumtree) and night (eBay), than in the course of the college run
- Price pretty: Take a have a look at comparable objects
- Choose the precise class – examine whether or not different sellers are itemizing their soccer boots underneath “sneakers” or “sportswear”
- Be aware of questions
