Make more than $6,900 selling unwanted stuff online

Aussies stand to make about $6,964 per household from their unwanted items, according to a new report by Gumtree. Here are 12 tips for success.

Many Aussie household budgets are under pressure these days. Groceries and petrol are costing us a lot more, those with a mortgage have already seen the cash rate increase four times this year with more hikes expected and renters are also paying more. So, getting a bit of extra cash in the bank would be a welcome reprieve for most of us.

The good news is that you might be able to give your bank balance a boost simply by looking around and finding things lying around the house you no longer want or use and listing them for sale. On average, 86% of Australians have unwanted and unused items they could sell, with around 21 items per household, according to the Gumtree Trading in the Circular Economy 2022 Report. The value of unwanted items is estimated to be worth $6,964 per household – an increase of more than 29% over the past four years.

Why people are selling unwanted items

While many Aussies use the ‘circular economy’ to make extra cash to offset the rising cost of living it’s not the only reason. Many people are motivated by environmental reasons. “Buying and selling unused and unwanted items not only empowers people to achieve financial freedom through the circular economy, but it also reduces our impact on the environment,” said Gumtree Managing Director, Mark Kehoe.

“Trading in the circular economy lowers the demand for the resources needed to produce new items. It also means that unused and unwanted items can avoid being added to the millions of tonnes of waste created by Australian households each year.”

According to Gumtree, of those who buy or sell unused and unwanted items within the circular economy:

• 49% spend the money they make from trading on day-to-day living expenses
• 30% save the money for an emergency
• 27% spend the money on special items/experiences to treat themselves
• 27% use the money to reduce their debt

What types of items should you sell online?

You can pretty much sell anything but, according to Gumtree, the items sellers reported as having sold the fastest and made them the largest amount of money are:

• Clothing, shoes and accessories (17%)
• Games and toys (10%)
• Electronic goods (10%)
• Home décor and furniture (9%)

Looking forward, Gumtree says the items Australians are most likely to consider buying from the pre-loved circular economy are:

• Office furniture (40%)
• Dining tables (38%)
• Home décor (38%)
• Collectables & antiques (35%)

Gumtree also found that Aussies are now looking for well-known brands. A quick look at its Top Searches page shows Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel as well as Nike and Jordan are popular.

12 tips for selling unwanted stuff online

If you’re thinking about selling unwanted stuff online to make some money – or do your bit for the environment – here are 12 tips.

1. Think ahead

When you buy something new don’t automatically toss the box it came in and throw away the receipt. Gumtree suggests taking the time to consider its second life, there and then. “By protecting the item, preserving the original packaging, and keeping the receipt, it can add huge value when it comes time to resell it,” says Gumtree.

2. List items that are in demand

You have a better chance of selling an item if people are looking for it. Check out Gumtree’s Top Searches page to see what insights you can find. As mentioned earlier, clothing, shoes and accessories, games and toys, electronic goods and home décor and furniture tend to sell quicker and for more money. Office furniture, dining tables and collectables & antiques are likely to be popular. And, if you have any items from well-known brands you might consider listing them.

3. Consider your timing

Think about whether the items in question are likely to sell better in a particular season or time of year. For example, not many people will be looking for a second-hand Christmas tree in April and you probably won’t get many bites for your old skis in January.

4. Set the right price

Don’t just come up with a figure off the top of your head when deciding on the price. Do your research – look at listings for similar items to get an idea of what is realistic. You might want to set the price a little higher than what you’d be willing to accept so that you leave some wiggle room to negotiate.

5. Think like a buyer when creating your listing

“If you were looking for this item, what would you search? Include those keywords and add your item to the right category to help people find it,” says Gumtree.

6. Provide as much detail as possible

Put as much detail as you can in the description about the product you’re selling including its features and its condition. If it’s a big piece of furniture, be sure to include the measurements. Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes and think about what details you’d want. “The more information you provide, the more likely you are to make a sale at the price you’re looking for,” says Gumtree. “Where possible, include details such as how much you bought them for and what condition they’re in.”

7. Include lots of photos

Gumtree’s tip is to make your ad visual as you will have more success with potential buyers if they can visualise the item you are selling. It’s a good idea to include a range of images from a number of different angles.

It’s also important that you use good-quality photos– a clear image on a simple background will be more appealing than a grainy one with clutter behind it. “Ensure you have natural lighting or use the edit functions on your device to add some extra light,” says Gumtree.

8. Be honest

It’s important to be honest and accurate. If the item has a small dent in it, for example, be upfront about it and include it in the photos. Don’t describe the item as being in “excellent” condition if it’s actually “average”.

9. Sweeten the deal

“To sell big, think like a retailer,” suggests Gumtree. “If you’re selling a gaming console, consider throwing in some games, and accessories to seal the deal.” Think about what extras you might be able to add to entice buyers.

10. Respond to queries promptly

If you get messages from buyers with questions try to respond quickly. “To avoid missing any messages, make sure you turn your notifications on through the Gumtree app,” says Gumtree.

“If you’re going to be unreachable for an extended period, simply pause your listing so you don’t keep people hanging. There will be plenty more buyers when you return.”

11. Trade safely

To stay safe Gumtree recommends you keep all interactions with your buyer on the platform. “When it comes time for collection, you may not want strangers coming to your home, so select a neutral meeting place to make the exchange and bring a friend or family member with you,” says Gumtree. “If you’d prefer not to meet up, you can add the ‘Contactless Trade’ badge on your listing and leave items in an accessible area to exchange.”

12. Watch out for scams

Late last year scammers were targeting Gumtree sellers. At the time the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) warned Gumtree users that scammers were sending fake WhatsApp or SMS messages to sellers with a request to click on a link to ‘receive funds’ for the listed item and organise ‘Gumtree shipment’. The links led to a fake Australia Post website designed to steal personal and financial information. Check out Gumtree’s tips for staying safe.

Cover image source: Nitiphonphat/Shutterstock.com