Ebay vs. Gumtree

[ukcstokie]

I use to get lots of things on Ebay for excellent prices. Over the last few years the excellent prices have dried up (for second hand goods).

Over the last year or so I've moved to getting stuff (laptops, computer components, furniture, clocks, etc.) from Gumtree.

Are others experiencing the move from to Gumtree?

[Skankmonkey]

I've not used Gumtree. I still manage to find a few bargains on Ebay. Mainly largish camping stuff with local collection only. I have an automatic daily search sent to my email. I buy cheap in the off season and sell on again in the Spring. I've got a few tents for 99p that way. Refurbished, the last one went for £30+

My best bargain in recent years was the £650 latest version brand new Hilleberg Nallo 2GT ultra lightweight tent. I sniped that for £340 on Ebay a few years back. :-)

[lawrieleslie]

Preloved is also very good. Have you tried Shpock online car boot sale. You can put your requirements in and they will email you when something crops up. Recently bought a leather and sheepskin flying jacket for £40 and a 1960s Meccano Set for £20. It's not an auction you just make an offer. Also very easy to sell on there.

[marwood]

For 10 years I used Ebay exclusively, as it was the market leader and had become a verb meaning to sell something online.

But they kept putting the fees up and adding new ones. This last 12 months Ive moved 80% of my sales to Gumtree.

Its great if you want to get rid of something fast , especially if its taking up space (car, 3 piece suite, white goods)

Its time sensitive and local -around 70% of my gumtree listings get snapped up within 24 hours -often by people within 5 mile radius.

Here are the advantages I've seen over last 12 months (as a seller)

Pros

• No fees – completely free to list and no final value fee
• No need to wrap or faff about with postage fees (eBay charge final value fee on those now as well)
• No need to go to the Post office
• I enjoy meeting people and have a chat with them about what they intend to do with the item – I also try and sell them other things!


Cons


• No sense of community or feedback – so you get lots of emails asking questions about item and end up waiting in for people who never arrive
• You set the price – so as a seller it may be that you undervalue things if you don’t do your research properly (on eBay, if you’ve listed it correctly, it will nearly always be bid up to its correct market value)


As I say, I still use ebay for small items, which are easily postable, and are niche/collectible (eg vintage toys).

Gumtree also works for me as I live in a big city (alas no longer The Five Towns) but Stoke does have a big catchment area and people are willing to collect from Derby/Wolves etc

[pretzel]

As a buyer I've found Gumtree to be brilliant and as mentioned before I've met some great people and enjoyed the interaction.
Not had much joy as a seller but I've maybe not got the patience to wait until the traders and chancers have finished making their derisory offers.

[metalhead]

As a buyer, I buy on eBay and Gumtree.

As a seller, I only sell on Gumtree nowadays. eBay has become far too weighted in favour of the buyer now, it's too risky to be scammed.

[ukcstokie]

I didn't realise that Gumtree is actually owned by ebay.

[marwood]

Feb 24, 2016 16:03:31 GMT ukcstokie said:

I didn't realise that Gumtree is actually owned by ebay.

yes, circa 2006, they rightly identified it as a future threat. they bought paypal around the same time but theyre now separate again

But Ebay and Gumtree have completely different look and feel. Takes 2 minutes to list something on Gumtree

Still cant believe its free to list things - how long that will last Im not sure

[rogerjonesisgod]

Bought and sold on ebay for years and years.

Started selling on Gumtree this year. So far, so good.

Much prefer Gumtree.