Has Ebay, Gumtree & FB Marketplace had it's day?

Mutton_Geoff

I've been selling unwanted stuff on Ebay for almost 25 years and got feedback of well over 1,500. Gumtree the same, if it's heavy or more suited to a local market, it worked well. FB Marketplace I'm only a recent user. What I found common to all though is nobody is buying any more. I've had stuff listed at good prices and pre 2019 it would have gone in a week but now months pass and they don't even get any views or serious enquiries.

I know Ebay is trying to reposition itself to try and compete with Amazon. Gumtree and FB are just so annoying with the multiple "is it still available" messages but no genuine buyers.

Should I try somewhere else before all my £10-20 stuff goes to the recycling centre?

GadgetGuru

Im in exactly the same boat - things just do not seem to sell any more despite the ridiculously low price!

Vitor

l'm finding that household stuff I'm selling to 'declutter' goes for pennies. Decent items still sell. Low price womens and kids clothes may do better on Vinted - hence why Ebay have responded to make clothing sales free.

steviebabes

I think the problem is that everyone want to declutter so household items are kept longer then recycled when they break. Most young couples seem to like a minimal look rather than all the nick-nacks older people prefer. I find quality memorabilia still sells, especially anything for a man cave or shed.

Mutton_Geoff

steviebabes said:

I think the problem is that everyone want to declutter so household items are kept longer then recycled when they break. Most young couples seem to like a minimal look rather than all the nick-nacks older people prefer. I find quality memorabilia still sells, especially anything for a man cave or shed.

I completely get that but my stuff has comprised of, for example, new unused networking stuff, vintage cine equipment, classic car spares and memorabilia, a half decent bicycle that's on for just £20 etc

Nebbit

You can sell quite a bit at the car boot sale but you will still bring plenty back. We made nearly £200 yesterday over a long morning from 6.30 to 12.30, but there was another 3 hours loading and unloading the car before and afterwards. The highest single price was £6 for a coat. Most items were £1 or £2. 

soolin

EBay recently has been very good to me, surprisingly good. Things are slower, the youngsters don’t want ‘stuff’ houses are too small to fill with junk and everyone is trying to sell the same things. 

FB is very slow for me , although I do still turn over a little on specialist groups. I have up with Gumtree years ago, nothing but scammers. I also don’t bother with car boot sales, too much effort for no return.

At least with eBay i slits, I sell and I post and that’s it. 

Sarahspangles

Mutton_Geoff said:

Should I try somewhere else before all my £10-20 stuff goes to the recycling centre?

Or to the charity shop? Some of the competition for eBay etc is that sector. There’s so much space for the shops on high streets, our local hospice has a clothes shop, a household furnishings shop and a collectables shop!

My young adult children and their friends seem to have a different attitude to charity shopping than our generation, it can now be a choice to buy secondhand, rather than a necessity.