How To Make Money From Unwanted Goods

Aussies are selling their second hand goods because there is genuine money to be made and the thrill of the chase is exciting. The dining table and chairs you no longer want could put some money in your back pocket and go towards a loving home. It’s a win, win!

One of the best wins I had was actually from my fellow second hand expert Adam. About 10 years ago I purchased a lamp off him for $75, at the time I knew it was something special but only recently had it valued in New York at more than $25,000!

Table lamp model 539 by Gino Sarfatti

Natasha Dickens of Little Red Industries 

Before image of the chair with mustard coloured paints

Shot taken after stripping back to reveal the wood

After buying a chair off Gumtree for just $25, Natasha Dickens of Little Red Industries noticed it was special right away. After stripping back the layers of yellow paint the beautiful timber started to shine through. We recently visited Natasha and noticed that this chair was actually a Swedish classic, valuing it at more than $4000.

Natasha believes there is an old chair sitting in everyone’s garage ready to upcycle. All it takes a few coats of paint and some leather cleaner for its beauty to shine through.

Our top five ways to sell your unwanted items are;

1. Be honest: Dedicate time to research what’s out there and the average price of similar items to make sure you’re setting a fair price.
2. Be descriptive: Describe the product you’re selling, including its features, a brief history and reasons for selling the item. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to make a sale at the price you’re looking for.
3. Upload high quality photos: Gumtree allows up to 5 photos for every listing. Use this to your advantage by uploading high quality images to make sure your listing stands out from the rest.
4. Manage your listing: Ensure you keep on top of incoming ad responses. Communicate quickly and directly with potential buyers through My Messages and download the Gumtree app on your phone so you can manage your ad on the go.
5. Always meet face-to-face: When buying or selling, it’s important to meet in-person to see the item and exchange money. For personal ease and safety, have someone with you if a buyer is coming to your home or workplace.