Three quarters of people considering selling items to afford the rising cost of living, says eBay

New research released by eBay UK reveals that three quarters (77 per cent) of people in Britain have already started, or are considering, selling items from around the home to afford the rising cost of living. As selling unwanted belongings is one method that could help to line the nation’s pockets, eBay has crunched the numbers to reveal which secondhand items you can sell, to cash in on more than £1,000.

From musical instruments worth nearly £150 that are collecting dust, to old laptops worth almost £300 that have since been upgraded - there are plenty of things you can sell to both make money and rehome elsewhere to extend the item's lifecycle.

Alongside selling items from around the home, more than half (56 per cent) of the nation will be making efforts to spend less, and a quarter (28 per cent) see themselves dipping into savings, as four in five (84 per cent) UK adults are currently feeling concerned by the increasing inflation in the UK.

It is both rising bills and life’s simple pleasures that consumers are striving to replenish their pockets to pay for. While the majority of people are worried about rising energy costs (77 per cent), others are considering how they will be able to afford going on holiday (34 per cent), eating meals out (30 per cent) and buying presents for family and friends (24 per cent).

As Emma Grant, Head of Pre-Loved at eBay UK, said: “We know people around the UK are concerned by the rising cost of living , and while selling unwanted items might not be a solution to the problem at large, it can be an effective way to make some extra cash to go towards bills or contribute to your savings for a holiday this summer. Simultaneously you might help someone else find something they’ve been looking for, but without the hefty price tag. A win for you, someone else and the planet alike.“

“‘I’m a big proponent of looking for ways to reduce consumption and eBay has not only allowed me to sell niche items, such as my retro video games," added Tom Nagel (26) who cashed in on £600 by selling video games on eBay. "I’ve also recently bought used tech items. You’d never think you’d find some of these things on eBay but you’d be surprised. So, it’s not just the money you can make on eBay that is so valuable, but just the variety of used products on offer too.”

With more than 27 million shoppers on eBay every month, the online marketplace can help you top up your bank balance. Shoppers can also easily donate to charity when selling, simply select the proportion of your sale that they’d like to donate and pick from over 8,000 charities enrolled on eBay.

New to selling on eBay? Fear not, these 5 simple tips from Emma will help to optimise your listings:

1. Key words are key - Take the time to get your keywords right and bidders will come. When buyers search, eBay.co.uk automatically filters the listing titles, so it's crucial to write your listing in your fellow users’ language and use the terminology they search for - especially brand and product names.
2. Choose the right category for your product - It might sound obvious but it’s very important to always choose the most specific category to sell in. Make sure if you are selling old children’s clothes, to sell in the children’s fashion category, rather than just fashion in general.
3. Pictures are important - Most users will not bid on items they cannot see. For best results, take photos in natural light against a neutral background and be honest about any scratches or aesthetic damage to the item.
4. Be as detailed as possible - Be honest about the condition of the product and be sure to note any wear and tear. By including details that can’t be seen in the image, for example if you are selling clothes noting the feel or fit of the product, you’ll help buyers decide if this is the item for them.
5. Be realistic with pricing - consider your pricing strategy carefully following the eBay pricing recommendations. Try searching for similar items on eBay, to make sure you’re going for the right price and always ask yourself ‘would I pay this price for this item?

Average selling price of key items from around the home***

Product Category	Average Selling Price***
Used Tech	Total: £528
Laptop	£290
Printer	£29
Smartphones	£153
Cameras	£48
DVDs and Blu-Rays	£8
Growing Kids	Total: £67
Baby books	£11
Baby carriers / backpacks	£32
Pushchairs and prams	£40
Children’s furniture	£22
Nursery bedding	£12
Old hobbies	Total: £316
DJ equipment	£68
Skateboard	£23
Musical Instruments	£137
Garden tools and equipment	£19
Pianos and keyboards	£69
Home and wardrobe clear-out	Total: £165
Clothes, shoes and accessories	£36
Rugs and carpets	£28
Vintage and antique jewellery	£39
Cookware and dinnerware	£22
Photo frames	£40
OVERALL TOTAL	£1,106

*** All prices are the Average Selling Price of that C2C category on eBay

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