Yahoo Finance How to make $5,300 before Christmas
New research from online marketplace Gumtree has revealed the average Aussie could stand to make up to $5,300 before Christmas.
Gumtree’s 2021 Circular Economy Report has revealed the average Australian household has 21 unwanted or unused items that could easily be traded for quick cash.
This statistic has grown since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a two-item-per-household increase compared to 2020 data.
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It’s not unusual to have much more than this, with almost 19 per cent of Australian households having 40 or more pre-loved, unwanted or unused items.
The report showed the average Australian spent around $670 each year on Christmas presents, with more than 50 per cent of Aussies stating they’d be open to buying or receiving a second-hand gift.
Gumtree spokesperson David Low told Yahoo Finance that Gumtree hosted more than 2.4 million live listings at any given time, with a total of 7 million Australians on the platform each month.
“These unused items are sitting around people’s homes collecting dust when they could be given a second home,” he said.
“If you have something you think people might not want, just list it, because there’s something for everyone on Gumtree.”
Common household items that could fund your Christmas
Gumtree’s data revealed the items likely to result in quick cash this holiday season.
Here are the most-searched items from last month:
Bike
Fridge
Desk
Surfboard
Dining table
Ride-on mower
Lounge
iPhone
Guitar
Lego
Laptop
Most commonly sold items on Gumtree:
Clothes and accessories (44 per cent)
Household items, such as home décor and furniture (28 per cent)
Books (26 per cent)
Electronic goods (26 per cent)
Games and toys (26 per cent)
Data also showed the least-sought-after products had been picnic sets and hygiene products, such as masks and sanitiser, which accounted for just 1 per cent of interest on the site.
Most likely to be purchased in the circular economy:
42 per cent of Aussies indicated they would purchase second-hand office furniture from Gumtree
41 per cent were seeking a new dining table
40 per cent were looking for a new car on the site
37 per cent said they would use Gumtree to look for home decor and furniture items
How to make the most of your listing
Low also offered advice on how users ould ensure they made the most of their listings on the platform.
“Search around the house and have a look at your clutter, and do some research on Gumtree and see what others are charging for similar items,” he said.
“Take lots of photos, put a good description on your listing and, most importantly, be really responsive - momentum is key.”
Low also said that in order to sell products quickly, users should consider seasonal trends.
“We expect a lot of holiday themes at the moment, like surfboards and bikes, because the season plays a huge part in what sells,” he said.
“All the classics are also there. Gumtree is well known for home decor, and large white goods like fridges as well.”
Low said one of the site’s biggest sellers was lawn mowers, with items like iPads and Lego set to hold a high dollar value and find a second home very quickly.
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