Ebay and gumtree

rhoanj

Wondering what are benefits and disadvantages of Ebay as opposed to Gumtree. Thanks.

soolin

rhoanj wrote: »

Wondering what are benefits and disadvantages of Ebay as opposed to Gumtree. Thanks.

You need to be more specific as it is like comparing chalk and cheese.

Flyonthewall

The sites are really two different things; ebay is an auction site and Gumtree is an ads site.

Ebay has many more buyers than Gumtree so you're item is more likely to sell. Also, Gumtree is more for local selling so only people within the area are likely to consider buying it.

Gumtree is cash on collection only. Useful for some items, a hassle for others. However, ebay also give this option or you can post the item.

Both allow you to give a price, description and add photos.

Ebay gives you the option of buy it now or an auction, whereas gumtree requires you to give a set price although you can take offers.

Not exactly a list of good and bad points as it depends what you want to sell and how you want to sell it, but they're the main differences.

hollydays

Benefits of using an auction site, is that the person bids and you know they are interested. For me I've found gum tree is full of time wasters who message you asking for the item cheaper( this happens a lot) and could you deliver, message to and fro then you never hear any more or they don't turn up.

in_the_Cotswolds

Ebay also owns Gumtree.

GabbaGabbaHey

Surprised that nobody has yet mentioned:

Gumtree is free to list. eBay charges listing (usually) and final value fees, plus PayPal fees if the buyer uses that method to pay.

soolin

GabbaGabbaHey wrote: »

Surprised that nobody has yet mentioned:

Gumtree is free to list. eBay charges listing (usually) and final value fees, plus PayPal fees if the buyer uses that method to pay.

Also worth noting that the first pages in all categories on Gumtree are adverts, then come the paid for adverts. Only then do gum tree show the free adverts.

kellyt86

Sold my old iPhone recently on gumtree, got the same price for it as I would on eBay (researched etc). But didn't have eBay listing fees, value fees, postage fees and PayPal fees coming off it!

Was less hassle than posting it, I offered to deliver locally or buyer collects but obviously said I only wanted cash.

The thing with gumtree is you get a lot of time wasters! So be prepared for that, also some scams, I refused anyone who said post it and I'll send money. I even had a sob story complete with pictures asking me to send it to her brother away with the forces in Afghanistan, despite claiming to be local! I said why not collect it and YOU send it to Afghanistan, funny enough didn't respond to that!

On gumtree I only have email not telephone as don't want people ringing etc.

You also get a lot of silly offers, people offering pathetically low amounts, I stuck to what I thought was fair and sold it but took about 3 weeks, I did drop from original price but to be expected.

I have also sold on eBay, but the fees now seem extortionate - really add up!! For anything difficult to post or higher value then gumtree is good.

However for anything specialist or needs a special target audience then eBay is still king (OH recently sold warhammer army on eBay), you wouldn't get the same level of interest via something like gumtree very specific!