Strapped for cash? Do a spring clean and sell those second-hand items
Spring has sprung and it’s time to put away the electric blankets, open the windows, and clear out all the junk you may have accumulated in this weird year of a pandemic and lockdowns.
When it comes to items with resale value, almost anything can bring a buck on an online classified site like Gumtree.
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You never know what treasures you might have in your house. A quick look at the Gumtree site is sure to inspire you to see what you might have in your own home to sell.
Maybe you have some furniture, like this unusual solid wood kiaat dining room suite with sideboard and matching bar and stools, selling for R24K!
Or a rare sculpture signed by the artist, like this unusual mermaid lion (MerLion?!) bronze statuette signed by Tienie Pritchard, one of the most prominent sculptors in South Africa, or a “Smile Worldwide 1991 NY Cardboard Boom Box” that is sure to catch someone’s eye.
Here are 10 more items you may have lying around that will fetch a price:
- Cellphones. There are hundreds of thousands of unused cell phones lying around South African homes. Clear yours out one-time, online. Good condition, recent vintage iPhones will fetch R9,000+ but there’s a market for almost every make and model. Buyers are also eager for accessories as well.
- Computers. Laptops, Macbooks and iPads are a usually a quick and profitable sell if you price them right. And, once again, those not-so-cheap accessories have value.
- Clothing. Buying pre-owned clothing is a big global trend, and it’s good for the planet. Give your throwaways a thorough clean and repairs if necessary, before putting them up for sale.
- Home appliances. Fridges are big sellers on Gumtree but there’s a healthy trade in slow cookers, blenders and coffee machines.
- Baby items. If your children have moved on from the pram, the cot, the highchair and the car seat, there are plenty of budget-wise, new parents looking for exactly those things.
- Tools. DIY is a surprisingly robust sector online. Power tools are the best-sellers but complete toolkits and welding equipment are also in strong demand.
- Bikes. The cycling craze shows no signs of slowing down. Your spare bike will readily find a buyer online (high-end second hand mountain bikes can fetch over R20k). Bike racks are another top seller.
- Camping gear. This is a #1 clutterer. Do a solid audit of what camping gear (tents, accessories, beds, chairs and cooking kit) you actually use and sell off the rest. Tent prices start at R700 and can bring in much more if they’re a new model in good condition.
- Furniture. Chairs, tables, beds, couches, cupboards and wall units will all go if you price them right and allow for transport costs.
- Collections. Those piles of LPs, china, silverware, stamp books, historical artefacts or whatever you’ve been gathering down the years take up space. Maybe it’s time to Gumtree them and make a fresh start on a new obsession.
