Why do people want so much for second hand items ?

[overcovermultitasker]

So I try to buy second hand/ used from eBay or FB to save money, but it seems people seem to be asking virtually the cost new minus a few pounds. I sell my good condition stuff on for about 10-20% of the original price.

I just sold some curtains in perfect condition from JL cost £75 new, for £12 for example on FB. Yet when I try to buy people want the mega bucks Just looking at playpens and people are asking £90 for ones that cost £110/ £120 new ! AIBU people can't be selling anything at these crazy second hand prices well I can't be buying I'm on a tight budget!

Depends on which state it is i guess.
I to sell for 50% if in good state
If in meh state then 20% or just whatever really. Whatever feels fair to me

Maybe they're pricing higher because they expect the buyers to low-ball them.

People are greedy thats why.

The price people ask for their things is up to them, just as the price you are willing to pay is up to you.
If they price things too high on eBay or wherever their items won’t sell.

Sellers initially put up high prices so if a buyer makes an offer there's room to negotiate and they wouldn't totally lose out and the buyer will be happy they've paid what they've wanted.

Maybe they are selling because they really need the money, not because they don’t want the items anymore?

Perhaps people have lost their jobs and are trying to make a living. Don't judge, just don't buy and move on.

Maybe they are selling because they really need the money, not because they don’t want the items anymore

That may be so but it's cheeky fuckery to want practically full price for a second hand item. The most you can advertise at is 50%* of full price and bargain from there imo, if prepared to lower the price.

*Depending on condition.

I don't bother selling DSs things anymore too many people want something for pennies, it's not worth the trip to the post office, or you'll wait around for collection and they don't show up, invariably you'll see it back for sale at twice the price a week later. I'd rather donate to local charities/baby bank or offer to friends with younger children. I had a brand new with tags changing bag, very popular brand, that someone bought me, but I'd already bought my own. Put it up for sale for £30, new it would've been £80+, someone offered me £5 and asked if I'd drop it off to them....

It depends on the item. Some things really hold their value (baby Bjorn bouncy chairs are one). Some don’t.

If someone is prepared to pay it, that’s what it’s worth.

Not really sure as I would imagine most people won’t pay nearly full price for an item they could get new for not much less.

I think some people are expecting the price to be haggled down so put it as higher than they’re expecting.

And others just have no concept of cost or what things are worth. Of course anything is only worth what people are willing to pay, but you do get sellers who seem to think items can sell for the same/similar price they paid for it when it was brand new - no matter how long ago that was or how much use it’s had.

I don’t understand the high prices of some items especially prams and pushchairs that have seen some heavy use.

I think it depends on what the item is and what condition. I’m currently selling a table and 6 chairs for £100- hardly used, in good condition (they were £300 new). I think that’s an entirely reasonable price. If I sell something brand new I tend to ask for around 45% to 50% of the original price, which again I think is reasonable given the item is brand new. However, I’ve seen rusty old toasters up for sale for £10, which I think is ridiculous- that kind of condition should be given away for free if they can’t be arsed to recycle at the tip!

For something cheap I just sell for peanuts or give it away for free, but if it's something with a bit of value I would always list it at a higher price, with the expectation that people will haggle with me.

Depends on what it is. Most stuff I just donate.

They want so much for second hand stuff because it sells at that price. Why do non business account people sell on ebay? to make money and declutter.

Quality items sometimes increase in value too and sell for more than their purchase price when new.

They're selling because they need the money.
They want to make enough after fees to make it worth their trouble.
They think it's worth that much (discontinued items, good condition, etc.).
They're out of touch with reality.
Some people pay more than you'd expect, so sometimes it works.
They're focusing too much on what it cost them new, especially if they haven't had it very long.

Personally, I wouldn't bother unless I was desperate for the money or thought it was something worth a fair bit. It's too much hassle for too little return, otherwise.

When buying second hand I wont buy at more than about 30% of the new cost as if I wait most shops have regular sales where items are priced at 50% off and also come with a warranty that second hand doesn't.

I quite often see people overprice things with 'no holds' etc and then watch it run round the buy swap and sell pages for months before they either drop the price or get lucky and find a buyer.

They might be relying on people not knowing the price new. I was caught out on this when first using FB marketplace - I'd assumed (wrongly) that people would price fairly! Lesson learnt!

I agree with you

Sometimes people get a bit carried away on eBay auctions so I suppose these people selling the items you’re describing are getting greedy and think they can do the same but without going to the trouble of setting up an auction. I sold a high chair for almost the same price as new. And I sold a massage machine for the same price as new (in July when they were difficult to get hold of but after a quick google, there was one for sale for the exact price). Other times, I’ve sold things worth far more for peanuts. It’s all very random and depends who’s looking at the time. You cannot dictate a high price.

People are cheeky but you may be going too low OP

I was shocked at colleague selling a manky old sofa they got for free on the street for £100 two years later!!!

If they are managing to get people to buy stuff at that price, then fair play to them. Why wouldn’t you sell for the most you can get?

I think people often putting stuff up for about 50-60% of the original price, and seem to think they are giving it away for that price - "it's worth double that!".

But if you think about it, that means the original buyer is getting the item for 50% of the new cost, and the second hand buyer is also paying 50%. So they pay the same price as the first buyer, but they get a slightly worn item, don't get a warranty, no choice of colours, etc.