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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people ask too much for secondhand items?

101 replies

Chukkachick · 21/05/2023 22:30

About to have our second baby and planning on buying a lot secondhand again, mostly on FB marketplace. But I’m kind of shocked at how much people generally seem to be asking for their items?

e.g ‘great item, used for 15 months, will be properly cleaned’ then asking for between half and 3/4 of the RRP?

I know a lot more people are selling things online due to the cost of living crisis and maybe this is just a reflection of that. But it puts me off even making an offer because I don’t want to look like a CF! Even though I don’t think their item will sell at all with how they have priced it.

specific example- a double pram, now an old model, which would have sold new for about 1200 and the seller wants 900. AIBU to offer no higher than £600?

OP posts:
ohwhatalark · 21/05/2023 22:35

I agree. I'd suggest NCT nearly new sales for fairly priced items

CadburyDream · 21/05/2023 22:39

Yeh I don’t bother if I’m honest most things I’ve seen second hand are not much cheaper than new

CooCooCaChu · 21/05/2023 22:40

I wouldn't bother with low offers, just wait for someone more realistic.

I think no more than half price is fair even for something in perfect condition.

Someone near me was selling a sun shade that they've used 'a few' times for the same price as new!

My bug bear is when people write in the ad 'doesn't affect use'. I'll be the judge of that mate!

xsquared · 21/05/2023 22:46

I second your local NCT sale.

Most of the items will have been checked by volunteers to ensure they are in sellable condition, and prices are competitive between sellers so there are bargains to be had.

Blip · 21/05/2023 22:46

I go by a max of 50% of original price if in great condition.

Car boot sales usually 10% of original price.

nationallampoons · 21/05/2023 23:10

I completely agree. It's the same in charity shops and I've noticed people are asking a lot a carboots too

gelijkheid · 21/05/2023 23:27

I agree, I have noticed items for sale on Vinted are listed higher than could of been bought in sales.

bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 21/05/2023 23:35

Yes. You really have to be careful.
Someone the other day was on Facebook marketplace trying to sell 3 or 4 pairs of children's shoes in a bundle for £10. The condition they were in I wouldn't have even given them away. I felt so bad for her afterwards. The poor woman may have been trying to feed her kids with that tenner. DP is more cynical than me and suggested she was just money grabbing. Who knows Confused

Badbudgeter · 21/05/2023 23:48

It’s an odd mix I shop on Vinted and have bought a couple of nearly new dresses for £10 each. They cost £60-£80. Loads of stuff on there is expensive though. It’s a numbers game, frequent checkers bag the best bargains.

RobertaFirmino · 21/05/2023 23:55

It's the attempts to flog dirty, worn or damaged items for silly money that annoy me. Especially the mountains of faded, bobbly and crumpled garments on Vinted. Also see 'Just needs a quick wipe' (well why don't you do it then, you mucky fucker?). I work in a charity shop and over the years I've had to let quite a few colleagues know that it doesn't matter if the top is from bloody Chanel, if it is stained or ripped, it goes to the ragman, not out for sale!
Bollocks to people trying to 'feed their children', you can bet your bottom dollar that those having to buy second hand shoes for them are having the same problem, don't insult them with shoes fit only for the bin.

vdbfamily · 22/05/2023 00:06

There is no harm them asking and most people assume they will get lower offers. My daughter sells clothes on Vinted and I think prices too high but some will buy at that price.

AliceMcK · 22/05/2023 00:19

It is definitely getting more and more. I’ve always enjoyed second hand shopping but I’m doing it less as it’s just as cheap to buy something new in the sales. I bought my DDs friend a lovely top for £1.50 of a clearance rail, and originally £12 as part of a 2 piece. My dd loves it and is excited to give to her friend when she sees her. It was for no occasion other than it was a lovely top and wouldn’t fit my DDs so thought it would be a nice gift.

Last summer I went to a few car boot sales and some one was insisting on £4/5 for second hand David Walliams books, no flexibility. I didn’t buy, I waited until I found them in a charity shop for £1 each. I did give in on a toy, no box charging 50% of retail, only because my DD desperately wanted it to match another one she had.

I haven’t looked at marketplace for over a year now, there was a time I bought something every week off it.

Donaldtrumpsscrotum · 22/05/2023 00:24

OMG yes! Looking at a table/chairs on Facebook. The ad is 'available on ikea for 250' therefore selling for 150.

Ikea is selling brand new items! You are selling god knows what! You want half price?!? It really is mental OP! I Just ignore tbh and will buy new if I can. Total piss take. Who knows what you're selling and obvs no guarantee etc.

SkyandSurf · 22/05/2023 00:29

It's annoying. I think a lot of people who wouldn't have bothered selling second hand are suddenly doing so due to COL. They don't know the conventions or what the going rates are.

I'd just message saying:

'I know it's less than you're asking, but I'll take this off your hands tomorrow morning if you are happy to sell for £600' and let them take it or leave it.

Usually when I'm selling I just want to get rid, so I'm happy to lower the price dramatically for someone who isn't tire kicking, asking for measurements, faffing around wanting me to deliver it, unclear when they can collect etc.

NutellaNut · 22/05/2023 00:31

If something is more expensive than you’re prepared to pay for it, just don’t buy it. People are entitled to ask what they want for something. If they price it too high it won’t sell, so more fool them, but no one us forcing you to buy at that price either.

Anskl · 22/05/2023 00:37

I guess it depends how used those secondhand items are. I sell a lot of my DD's clothes online, many of which she has barely worn and are as good as new. I can easily sell these between 1/2 and 3/4 of the price I originally paid when they're branded items. If someone doesn't want to pay what I'm asking then no one is forcing them.

I've had far worse experiences giving away things for free. For example, I recently gifted my DS's cot online. DS had outgrown it and I wanted it to go to someone who genuinely needed it. The following day, I found the same people I had given it to were trying to flog it for £100. When I confronted them about this they said they didn't want it because it smelled of smoke... no one in my house smokes.

LadyRos · 22/05/2023 01:39

Absolutely agree I had someone buy new £50 jeans complain they had pet hair in them lol

coxesorangepippin · 22/05/2023 02:29

600 quid for a second hand pram??? No way

100 quid most

JandalsAlways · 22/05/2023 02:31

Offer whatever you want, that's how supply and demand works 🙂

guineacup · 22/05/2023 06:34

There's nothing to be lost from offering £600 if that's what you're prepared to pay. They can only say no if they don't want to sell at that price.

If they had priced at £600, would you still have offered £600, or a lower price? If you'd have offered a lower price, then their pricing strategy is working!

Bloopsie · 22/05/2023 06:53

Oh yeah I buy my babies organic clothes like Polarn O Pyret, Frugi etc and in their FB groups its like rarepattern 2016 spring edition retailed lets say 24.99 shes asking for 30 plus postage.

Worse when it comes to second hand reusable nappies or womens sanitary towels,urghh.

35965a · 22/05/2023 07:02

They’re just trying to get the most money they can, so they’ll put a price higher than they really want. Most people are open to offers, so just make an offer. The worst that can happen is they’ll say no. No point moaning about it though.

marshmallowmatcha · 22/05/2023 07:02

I'd offer what you're willing to pay. It might be they'll accept lower they are just chancing it or their partner has insisted on the higher amount but once they actually get the offer they'll change their mind.

marshmallowmatcha · 22/05/2023 07:03

Bloopsie · 22/05/2023 06:53

Oh yeah I buy my babies organic clothes like Polarn O Pyret, Frugi etc and in their FB groups its like rarepattern 2016 spring edition retailed lets say 24.99 shes asking for 30 plus postage.

Worse when it comes to second hand reusable nappies or womens sanitary towels,urghh.

I mean that's ridiculous- no one is that obsessed with "rare patterns" surely.

marshmallowmatcha · 22/05/2023 07:04

Bloopsie · 22/05/2023 06:53

Oh yeah I buy my babies organic clothes like Polarn O Pyret, Frugi etc and in their FB groups its like rarepattern 2016 spring edition retailed lets say 24.99 shes asking for 30 plus postage.

Worse when it comes to second hand reusable nappies or womens sanitary towels,urghh.

And just no to reusable sanpro.