In recent years, the trend of buying and selling second-hand items has seen a significant surge, primarily online. If your items are still in good condition, consider selling them on recommerce platforms. This not only helps declutter your home but also allows you to make a modest profit.
Growing concerns about sustainability in retail have reinvigorated the market for second-hand goods in the UK. The sales value of these items has shown a steady increase, with certain months outperforming others. For instance, in February 2024, the sales index for second-hand goods reached 99.6 points, reflecting a robust market. In our list of green apps to reduce your carbon footprint we recommend apps to trade or sell second-hand items and tackle environmental issues for example.
Tips for Selling Second-Hand Items Online
We have rounded up some tips to guide you through the process before getting into any of the recommerce platforms we feature, also addressing after-sales concerns. Let’s check them out:
I. Before You Sell
- Craft a Detailed Description: Clearly describe the item you’re selling without misrepresentation. If there are missing parts or visible defects, such as signs of wear and tear, be upfront about these issues.
- Research Pricing: Investigate similar products to determine the appropriate price rather than relying solely on your perception of the item’s value.
- Use Your Own Photos: Avoid stock images as they are often copyrighted and won’t accurately depict your item’s condition. Include multiple images: full views, close-ups of defects, labels, and true colours. Clear photos can also help defend against claims if a buyer alleges an undisclosed defect.
- Block Problematic Buyers: If you’ve encountered difficult or fraudulent buyers in the past, use the platform’s features to block them from purchasing your items in the future.
- Understand Platform T&Cs: Familiarise yourself with the platform’s terms and conditions, especially regarding buyer protection policies that may dictate how and when items must be sent.
- Check Seller Protection: Investigate whether the site offers seller and buyer protection, as this can provide additional peace of mind.
II. Making a Second-Hand Sale Online
- Keep Payments Within the Marketplace: Use the platform’s secure payment options and avoid agreeing to transactions outside the site. If secure options aren’t available, consider using PayPal or another secure payment method.
- Communicate via the Marketplace: To protect yourself, keep all communication with potential buyers within the marketplace’s messaging system. This ensures you remain covered by the platform’s protections.
- Send to the Invoice Address: Always ship items to the address provided. Agreeing to send items elsewhere can jeopardise your seller protections. If a buyer insists on a different address, cancel the transaction and ask them to update their address and repurchase.
- Photograph Your Packaging: Take photos of your item once it’s packaged. This can serve as evidence should any disputes arise.
- Use Tracked Shipping: Always send items via a tracked service and retain all tracking information as proof of delivery. For high-value items, consider insuring the package.
III. If There’s a Problem with Your Sale
- Respond Promptly: Address any issues quickly to maintain seller protections.
- Avoid Off-Platform Refunds: Process any refunds or partial refunds through the marketplace, as transactions on the platform must also be resolved there.
- Provide Evidence for Claims: The platform will require evidence from the shipping service if a buyer claims an item hasn’t arrived. If the item was collected, document this process.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and successful experience when selling second-hand items online. You can also contribute to a more sustainable marketplace while earning extra cash.
Top Online Marketplaces for Pre-Loved Items
In the UK second-hand online market, clothing is the most frequently purchased item, with 30% of Statista’s 2024 Consumer Insights respondents having bought pre-owned apparel in the past year. Notably, younger shoppers, including Gen Z and Millennials, are the most active in this market segment, with 68% having recently acquired pre-loved items.
Despite the added emissions from transporting used goods, pre-loved re-commerce platforms offer significant environmental benefits compared to traditional “take, make, throw” models. These platforms reduce waste and motivate companies to create more sustainable products. This is why recommerce platforms are the best pick for eco-conscious shoppers.
Navigating the numerous online platforms can be overwhelming, whether you’re a seasoned bargain hunter, an eco-conscious shopper, or just looking to earn extra cash by selling unwanted items.
We’ve curated a list of the 10 best websites for buying and selling second-hand goods online. These platforms cater to various needs, from rare collectibles to everyday items, ensuring you maximise your buying and selling experience. Join us as we delve into these digital marketplaces, where each click could lead you to your next great find or successful sale.
Disclaimer: All information listed was correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change. The list below has been prepared according to the number of social media followers, which ranges from high to low.
1. Facebook Marketplace
Launched in 2016, Facebook Marketplace operates within Facebook’s app and website, allowing users to buy and sell items locally without listing fees but without buyer protection. The platform is popular for furniture and homewares, whether fresh or pre-used. The Marketplace leverages Facebook’s social network to promote sustainability and reduce waste by connecting buyers and sellers directly. Facebook Marketplace helps extend product lifecycles, thus supporting a circular economy and eco-friendly practices.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.4/5 stars with 13.6M reviews on the App Store and 4.3/5 with 150M reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
2. Vestiaire Collective
Launched in 2009, Vestiaire Collective is a premier platform for buying and selling luxury fashion items, including clothing, accessories, and shoes. The platform is dedicated to sustainability and circular fashion, aiming to reduce overconsumption and waste.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.5/5 stars with 15.4K reviews on the App Store and 4.2/5 stars with 30.4K reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
3. Vinted
Founded in 2008 in Vilnius, Lithuania by two friends, Vinted aims to highlight the value of second-hand fashion, encouraging users to sell clothes with remaining life and discover unique items not available on the high street. Emphasising sustainability, Vinted offers an alternative to new purchases, focusing on quality and affordability. Purchasing and selling pre-loved items reduces waste and encourages eco-conscious shopping, meeting the increasing consumer demand for environmentally-friendly choices.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.8/5 stars with 938 reviews on the App Store and 4.0/5 with 1.49M reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
4. Shpock
Shpock, a UK-based marketplace app launched in 2015, combines convenience with various categories, from electronics and fashion to furniture and cars. Shpock is active in major UK cities like London, Manchester, and Liverpool. Shpock exemplifies the circular economy movement by fostering eco-friendly practices. It extends product lifecycles and reduces waste through its comprehensive second-hand marketplace, encouraging sustainable consumption habits. Buyers can adjust the search radius on Shpock to find items available in their university city or town, allowing for convenient pick-up or face-to-face delivery without vehicle dependency, which can prevent carbon emissions.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.5/5 stars with 72.6K reviews on the App Store and 3.7/5 stars with 420K reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
5. Nextdoor
Launched in the UK in 2016, Nextdoor is more than just a platform for buying and selling—it connects users to their local communities through news updates, local tips, and neighbourhood trading. Sellers can advertise pre-loved items in excellent condition over this platform to find a new home or donate them to the ones in need. Very recently, Nextdoor assisted UK-based renewable energy provider E.ON Next in raising more awareness of their sustainable offerings.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.7/5 stars with 220K reviews on the App Store and 4.1/5 with 361K reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
- Instagram: 278K followers
- Facebook: 676K followers
- Twitter: 8K followers
- LinkedIn: 169K followers
- YouTube: 02K subscribers
6. Depop
Depop, founded in 2011, is a circular fashion marketplace connecting 35 million users to buy, sell, and discover secondhand fashion. Known for its diverse range of styles and vintage finds, Depop promotes sustainability by encouraging the extension of clothing lifecycles. Since 2021, 25 million pre-loved items have gained a second life through Depop users.
Depop actively promotes circular fashion by encouraging sellers to set goals that support sustainability within their communities. The platform also initiates programs for sellers to use eco-friendly materials and responsibly dispose of unsellable garments. By using Depop, users can move away from fast fashion practices. This shift promotes purposeful shopping, emphasising individuality over mere consumption.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.8/5 stars with 503.7K reviews on the App Store and 3.4/5 with 73.4K reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
7. Gumtree
Founded in 2000 by two friends, Gumtree currently helps 14 million people in the UK reduce wastage and share more every month. Today, it remains one of the largest sites of its kind, connecting people across the UK based on their needs and interests, from pre-loved baby gear to bike parts. Gumtree’s USP is its carbon calculator, which can help consumers gauge the environmental impact of their shopping habits through easy comparisons.
Ratings & Reviews: 4.7/5 stars with 439.8K reviews on the App Store & 4.4/5 with 186K reviews on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
- Instagram:7K followers
- Twitter:9K followers
- Facebook: 552K followers
- YouTube:62K subscribers
- Pinterest:7K followers
8. Preloved
Established in 1998, Preloved is a prominent UK classified advertising site focused on second-hand items, including furniture, electronics, and groceries. Recycling with Preloved helps reduce landfills. You can also list items for free to reduce your house clutter. As a classified site, Preloved gives items a fresh start by helping members extend their lifespan. This approach breaks the buying and disposing cycle, fostering a reuse culture. Whether brand-new items bought on a whim or older items with plenty of life left, Preloved provides a platform that supports sustainability and encourages the prolonged use of products.
Ratings & Reviews: 3.0/5 stars with 938 reviews on the App Store and 100K+ downloads on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
- Instagram: 6K followers
- Facebook: 213K followers
- Twitter: 2K followers
- YouTube: 225 subscribers
- Pinterest: 13.2K followers
9. Music Magpie
Music Magpie specialises in buying and selling pre-owned CDs, DVDs, game discs, and electronics. It has been accredited as the UK’s biggest seller of pre-used tech and has gifted second homes to 500K devices. The platform offers a convenient way to declutter, with options to trade in unwanted tech, media, and clothing or shop for refurbished phones and tablets. Music Magpie aims to save users money, reduce e-waste, and promote sustainability. Once you trade in your unwanted tech gadgets, you can use the case to buy or rent something you require.
Ratings & Reviews: 1.5/5 stars with 108 reviews on the App Store and 1000K downloads on the Google Play Store.
Social Media:
10. Mazuma Mobile
Mazuma Mobile focuses on acquiring pre-owned mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. This leading mobile phone recycler in the UK is part of the EcoRenew Group. For years, they have been finding new homes for unwanted phones—whether damaged, outdated, or no longer in style. Mazuma Mobile rehomes over 15,000 devices each month, making us a top specialist in mobile reuse across Europe. Its mission extends beyond financial gain; they are dedicated to extending the life of devices and minimising environmental impact. All phones are sent to its WEEE Treatment Facility for cleaning, repairing, or disassembling devices based on their condition. Mazuma Mobile safely recycles non-repairable devices, keeping hazardous materials from landfills.
Social Media:
- Facebook: 22K followers
- Twitter: 7.9K followers
- Instagram: 6.3K followers
- YouTube: 3.65K subscribers
Conclusion
Sustainability has evolved into the catchphrase of 2024. If you plan on going green, browse our blog or some of the best green living blogs. Embracing the second-hand market helps decluttering and earning and plays a significant role in promoting sustainability. Whether you are buying or selling, the array of platforms and shops available in the UK ensures something for everyone.
We hope you benefitted from today’s discussion. If you have any doubts, please contact us by clicking this link.
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- Online Media & PR Strategist
- Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Fascinated to Write Lifestyle Blogs in News & Education I have completed a journalism summer course at the London School of Journalism and manage various blogs.
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