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!

(for buyers I mean)

Prices have seriously shot up since lockdown. I use ebay a lot and noticed it right away. People paying £5 plus postage for a bundle of second hand baby vests that you used to pick up in the charity shop for 50p. But charity shops don't really stock basics like that any more

YANBU

But I’ve seen the same in my local charity shop. I donated a lot before lockdown and I recently saw a bag I’d donated on sale for more than I’d paid for it. Defo the same bag as I checked the inside and there was a wee rip in the lining.

I read a psychological study once that people generally think the things they own are worth much more than they actually are. They will estimate the value of someone else's car or whatever at lower than their own, even if it is absolutely identical.

I always work out price of stuff by the condition, original cost, how popular an item might be and how much I want rid of it!

Having our bathroom done but the bath we ordered was too small, plumber had fit it and cut holes for taps so couldn't send it back. It cost us about £190 inc bath panels but as not many people would be looking for a second hand bath and we wanted it out of the house we listed it for £55 - sold it for £50. Buyer couldn't understand why we sold it so cheap!

When my DD was young Jumperoos where all the rage, anyone selling one second hand had it snapped up! So people were listing them for higher prices then you would normally for a second hand item, because you could!

Because so many people celebrate greedy twats and think they are on the fucking apprentice of something.

I see stuff that is so worn out it is fucked more than new prices - what a laugh.

I wouldn't buy anything for more that 40% of its original worth if secondhand because why should the original owner essentially get use of the brand new item for less than half its price?

Guy near me must have updated his tech on Prime Day last week as he's selling his old Dot, his Echo Car Play and a ring doorbell. All for the same price they are on Amazon.

How can he possibly think anyone would be stupid enough to pay Amazon prices for a used item with no guarantee when the same thing could be delivered the next day, brand new and covered.

I found ebay particularly expensive. I'm not going to risk buing lego or something second hand for the sake of saving £2. I guess the bidding system on ebay encourages people to pay more than they would have done initially. I tend to donate things to charity now where possible. Much too much hassle to try and sell.

For the curtains I had two identical pairs from my little boys nursery. Perfect condition. One I sold on marketplace for £10 and the other I sold on EBay For £10 & £5 postage, but the postage actually cost me £9.99 I think I'm pretty fair.

I'm certainly not rich and I could do with the money. But some of the time I just want someone to get the use out of something that I've paid full price for. I do give away a lot for free, but that's actually hard work too as others have said. I think people are suspicious it might be in really bad condition.

On eBay People often paid more for my baby equipment than I paid for it new - I always started low but they must have let the thought of winning takeover

I've noticed this a bit with furniture since upcycling became more of a thing. Used to be able to pick up some lovely good quality bits for not much money at all in secondhand shops, now it's all being flogged at crazy prices and snapped up by people painting it annie sloan and selling it on as 'shabby chic'. Cheaper to buy new in places like argos and B&M now.

I have just replaced my coffee machine after 14 years. The old one still works but it's not great, and the model is no longer available.

Someone has been listing one just like my old (nearly dead one) on ebay for £175. The first couple of times it didn't sell - so their brilliant strategy is to relist again at £210.

I may list mine at 99p just to annoy them.

Postal costs are so high with eBay, even to send Hermes seems to have gone up loads. Baby clothes were in short supply over lockdown but the high cost postage negates any bargain effect on second hand. I mean ok £2.50 for some next baby leggings, but add the £4.10 for recorded postage, I can buy them new in a three pack for £10! But alternatively there's the hassle of FB marketplace arrangements 🤷‍♀️ to

It depends what it is really. If it’s in perfect condition because they only used it a couple of times then I don’t see why they should lose out on money by listing something for half the price it costs new. If they’ve used it numerous times and it’s obviously used then fair enough, they can’t expect anywhere near the new price.

I have a Moses basket for sale atm and it’s little green sheep so it cost me £110 new with the stand. I’ve listed it for £70 because it was used literally three times so it’s still practically brand new. I’ve had people offer £40 which would just be ripping me off really!

Supply, Demand and Equilibrium of the Market.

I have seen worn jimmy choo boots listed on eBay for £500, when you can buy new ones for £650. With RESERVE NOT MET 😂

@Noitjustwontdo the thing everyone says only used 3 times, plus makes me think I might only use it 3 times too. I hope you sell it for want you want truely.

Free Boden coat anyone ?

Yes there's a group on Facebook and I am shocked sometimes at the prices

Examples I have seen " just want what I paid for them which was £50 plus 3.95 delivery as they are brand new I just ordered the wrong size and am out of the return time "

Doesn't make sense as most likely you could get a promo code and free standard delivery .

I think with some of these baby items, people are trying to get back some of the cost because they regret spending so much on them. There are so many slings, playpens and bouncers on my local FB that have only been used once or twice. But yeah, nobody is going to buy this stuff at the prices they are asking.

The pushchair groups are awful for this. Every week there is some drama because someone is trying to sell £600 worth of travel system for £400. And then someone will come in to say they struggled to get £100 for the same thing in better condition, then it develops into a hunfight until the thread gets locked.

When I'm on Facebook Marketplace (DP and I run a buying/selling business and use the platform for what we can't send to Amazon) we ALWAYS put the price up to start with. We only sell new items, BUT, no matter what price you put on, someone will message you asking will you take a lower price.

So, if we start higher than we want, it means we can say 'yes', and they'll feel like they've got a bargain.

So if you see something you like, and you think it's overpriced, by all means make an offer. You might be surprised :).

Why would anyone give things away when you can sell them for a decent price?

I sold my latest travel system for £700. I did get a few "offers" for a £100 or so. I chose to ignore them.
I made fair money on the sell, the buyer got a bargain and everybody is happy. The people who only want to spend £100 can find travel system who are only worth that amount.

It's not worth my time to sell anything for pennies, it's quicker to just bring to the tip but I do hate waste. If things are too expensive, they just won't sell, mine do 🤷

You are not BU to stick to lower price when you buy something, but sellers are not BU either for asking what they think is fair.

Yeah, I mean I only used it a couple of times because my baby prefers his sleepyhead but every baby is different and some might absolutely love sleeping in a Moses basket. No idea but I do regret spending so much on it only for it to be used a couple of times so I’d like to recoup some of the cost even if I’d still lose £40 selling it for my listed price!

Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.

I was just thinking the same thing. Looking for a balance bike for DD for Christmas. May as well buy a new one - £20 off and then the time spent going to pick it up or postage makes it more expensive than new.