5 things to buy and sell preloved this month and save

Here at Mozo we reckon buying and selling preloved all year round is not only good for the planet, but also for your wallet. So we took a look at Gumtree’s latest Secondhand Economy Report to see what items Aussies are most interested in buying or selling used.

Here are five of the most popular:

1. Electronic goods

In a world obsessed with the latest tech, so-called ‘e-waste’ is a growing problem. According to the UN’s 2020 Global E-waste Monitor, around 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was generated in 2019 alone. 

Now, the biggest question with all this is how much of this old tech could actually have been repaired or simply reused? We may never know the answer to this. However, to help tackle the problem and save yourself some serious dollars, we think it is definitely worth making secondhand marketplaces your first port-of-call when looking to fill a tech void in your life.

Need a second computer monitor? Look on Gumtree or Facebook marketplace, before you splurge on something brand new. Or, if you recently upgraded your phone, you could think about making a quick buck off your previous one. There are so many working phones and laptops, just waiting for you to give them a second chance. 

2. Books

According to Gumtree’s report, books are among the most popular secondhand items in 2020. 

For sellers, listing no-longer-wanted books online is not only a great way to make some money on the side, but it also takes the pressure off thrift shops which are increasingly overflowing with secondhand literature.

On the buying side of things, preloved books go for a song. If you can’t find what you’re after in the library for free, you could scoop up some real page-turning bargains in the secondhand market. 

Plus, if you have just finished studying or you’re about to start, you could even look online to make or save some money. Gumtree’s report shows that 39% of Australians would consider buying secondhand textbooks online.

3. Furniture

You might have heard of fast fashion, but did you know that fast furniture is also a growing problem these days? 

As more and more low-cost furniture is produced, items which were once kept and cherished for a lifetime are now thrown out after only a few years use. This is especially worrying considering that a shocking 85% of furniture put on the kerb is sent to landfill (that’s according to ABC’s 2018 series War on Waste).

Now, unless your stuff is made from premium material, you probably won’t make a huge bundle on it. Saying that, listing your old chairs, tables and bed frames on online marketplaces usually won’t cost you a cent either. 

So, even if you do only make $20 out of something, that’s still $20 more than you would have made putting it out for household clean-up. For buyers it goes without saying that you could bag yourself some serious bargains - not to mention unique finds - should you choose to furnish your home with pre-loved pieces.

4. Clothing, shoes and accessories

Clothing, shoes and accessories are the most common things to find either in a physical or online secondhand marketplace. Thanks to the fast fashion industry the whole world is awash with cheap preloved clothing. 

As a buyer, you can pick yourself up some truly great secondhand bargains. This is mainly because unless it’s a designer piece, preloved clothing isn’t usually worth a whole lot. That said, you shouldn’t be discouraged from selling bits and bobs in your wardrobe that you’ve fallen out of love with. Depending on what condition it’s in, you could still bag around $20 or $30 for your old clothes or shoes on eBay. 

5. Sporting equipment

In Gumtree’s report, it is revealed that sporting equipment is one of the top five things that Aussies would consider buying secondhand.

So, if you have some sporting goods lying around gathering dust, you might want to think about listing them online. Or if you’re looking around for a mountain bike for some cycling adventures, or you want a running machine for your home gym you could save yourself a bundle by choosing secondhand over brand new.

Secondhand: Economical and better for the planet

The fact that choosing secondhand over new is better all around isn’t lost on Aussies.

In Gumtree’s report, 43% of secondhand buyers estimated that they had saved around half the cost of what they would have paid for items brand new. A further 48% said they were increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of new items.

Ready to dive into the secondhand market and start saving? 

Make sure you have a savings account with a decent interest rate for all that cash you won’t be spending. Head over to Mozo’s compare savings accounts page or check out the interest rates on offer below to get started.