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!

YANBU I don’t get it either. Surely most people roll just end up getting a brand new whatever instead as it’s only £20 more

I don’t know but perusing Facebook selling group posts spotting the ones that are way overpriced is a guilty pleasure of mine. I love the audacity and the hollow silence that follows

There’s a going rate for some items from top brands. I’ve noticed, for example, that KitchenAid holds its value. I’ve sold a couple of things from good brands for about 60% of their original price. I was broke and needed the money but that was the auction result.

I don’t get it either. I’ve given a few things away for free recently, and even that’s a hassle

I’m a member of a perfume ‘fan’ site for want of a better word, and it amazes me that people list used items for sale for £5 less than you can buy it brand new. Unless it’s a good saving, I would prefer to buy new

If you've got something a bit unusual and you're not in a hurry to get rid of it then I see no harm in waiting for the right buyer. I am a bit when I see people trying to sell things that are really common for like nee prices.

I tried to sell a barely used Mamas and Papas Moses basket a few months ago and I couldn't give it away for free, but there were people there wanting £40 for theirs.

I try to buy almost all plastic toys second hand and I don’t think it works out any cheaper at all particularly with postage. That’s not why I do it of course and more a reflection I guess on how cheap plastic toys are from shops, especially when there’s free delivery.

IME it depends on the item. For many things like furniture it is worth looking at your local auction house. Last week we bought a solid oak dining table and 4 chairs for £10 plus fees.

I tend not to sell my used items and give away for free via Facebook groups and that is a major faff.

People asking if I can post or deliver is such a cheek when I’m offering an item for free.
I don’t want money for it but the effort to me needs to be less than the effort of traipsing to the charity shop or going to the tip.

Sounds like you are underpricing your own items.

Agree. I was looking at Boden coats for my child and a few people wanted £25-30 as a starting price, for a coat that was £45 to start with, but now has marks on it. Jog on.

• Expecting to be haggled down
• They can readvertise as 'reduced!' if it doesn't sell
• Some items go for a premium because people want a particular model that's no longer in production.

Ultimately second hand goods are only worth what people are prepared to pay for them. If the sellers have overpriced, they'll soon find out when no one buys the item.

If other people get the price they are asking, they are being very rational

It depends what people are prepared to pay.

I'm a charity shop volunteer and we're often accused of pricing things too high. But we know what people are prepared to pay and have a system for marking stock so we know how long it's been in the shop. What works in our shop won't work in another town, it all depends on the demographic.

A pair of £75 curtains would probably go out at either £20 or £25 depending on condition, size and style.

Well, anything you are selling is not wanted, by at least one person.
Anything you are looking at is wanted, by at least one person.
So part of this is that you yourself are a little indication of supply and demand.

I think it’s a bit of Sod’s law too - I find the same thing, never the bargains that other people get from me! But... it’s self perpetuating, you just start to notice it more I think.

How did you end up with the brand new JL curtains? I find I save more money by being very careful about what I buy in the first place, than I do by buying and selling second hand.

I sell on a lot of stuff on FB Marketplace. Especially clothes and shoes, I sell them either 5e or 10e depending on brand and condition. Some shoes and clothes that are branded, brand new or a good designer I sell for more. However it does really annoy me when people try to get things for really cheap and don't realize how much things costs. People want things for nothing aswell. Like I have good few dresses for weddings, brand new with tags and in perfect condition, cost 300e and I have it up for 100e (nearly 70 per cent off) The amount of people that have said would you take 50e ect on them is unreal.

Stuff is worth what people will pay for it. Of an item is in short supply it could well go for more than it was sold for new.

I agree OP. I don't understand why people buy things that they can get new for just a few £ more. Having said that I once put something on eBay for 99p and the bidding went beyond what Amazon were selling it for new!

The worst category for this I find is plastic garden toys like slides and play houses.

I mean I think they are overpriced when new anyway - especially when wooden ones aren't a heck of a lot more for better quality - but folk selling a basic Little Tikes play house with heavy sun fade and peeling stickers for 50% of the retail price, or more!

I’m in 2 local neighbourhood social media’s - the more affluent one nearby give away some fantastic stuff, all really decent- the more “rough” neighbourhood do exactly as you described. Someone tried to sell foundation, only “partially used” for 80% of the original price

the more affluent one nearby give away some fantastic stuff, all really decent- the more “rough” neighbourhood do exactly as you described.

Shocker.

The days of the eBay bargain are long gone. Stuff now goes for what its worth, or it doesn't sell.

I collect vintage perfume- there's a particular one I'd really like. There is ONE on eBay. The seller has had it there for 4 years. It won't sell at the price he's got it at because it's not worth it. I know what it's worth (about £10 less than he wants, it's not megabucks but he's still taking the piss) I made an offer which he refused. And 4 years later he's still flogging a very dead horse.

I agree with you. I always look to see what other similar items are going for before pricing my items.

If it’s marketplace I always over price and accept an offer. No one ever pays fulls price on marketplace.

You also used to be able to sell, for example, Boden kids' clothes at virtually the original price. Now if you get 99p you're happy. (Or not)
I've sold Boden clothes that were already second hand and got almost the original price. Not in the last 10 years though.
Even stuff that is popular and expensive- I received a posh face cream. Retails £70. It sold for £4.99.
eBay is now really full of Chinese free delivery if you wait for 3 months plastic tat, or businesses.
I wish they'd have a separate business sellers/private sellers bit.

I've made £100s on FB marketplace selling our toys, books, games, lego. All our stuff is still in 'as new condition' so I always put a top end price, expecting to get haggled down a little bit. Some people don't haggle at all, and some people take the P, but my stuff always goes within about 4 days.
I check ebay for sold prices, to check my prices are reasonable.