Items with the best resale value

As South Africans battle with rising inflation and high interest rates, many are turning to selling household items that they rarely use, in order to supplement their income.

This article explores which items are proving most popular in the second-hand market, and which may offer the best return from a resale perspective.

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Repurposing second-hand goods

A Gumtree survey indicates that the average middle-class South African household has between R27,500 and R35,000 worth of not-in-use, valuable goods. This includes designer clothing, perhaps worn once to a function, small appliances not yet removed from packaging, camping gear packed away in the garage, and good-as-new sporting equipment.

Selling these items not only frees up space, but allows others to buy little-used items more cost-effectively.

Electronics do well in resale outlets

Angelo, a buyer at Cash Crusaders in Plumstead*, says that the most popular items sold include TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, smartphones, soundbars from home-audio systems and power tools.

“Clients can make the most money by bringing these in to sell,” he explains.

“Selling price is generally based on an item’s make, model, age, and condition, as well as demand. We love the quick sellers, specifically TVs and power tools, which tend to get snapped up in a month and a half or less.

“Realistically, if an item remains on the shelf for longer than 90 days, we start noticing its lack of popularity, mark it down, and buy that item for a much lower amount than we would have previously.”

Some items are not appropriate for Cash Crusaders, such as attractive vintage items, which fetch a higher price at antique shops, or via buyers running stalls at outdoor markets. In addition, there is not much point in selling crockery and cutlery to the outlet. “We buy those items for as little as 50c to R1 each,” Angelo advises.

If you’re unsure whether a store would be interested in your used goods, send a photo to the buyer so you can get an estimate of what they would pay if you were to bring it in for sale.

“At Cash Crusaders, you can make use of a store’s WhatsApp number to send images of your item. One of our buyers will provide an estimated resale value for you,” says Angelo.

“You can also take a 30-day loan against your high-value goods.”

Selling online is increasingly popular

The online marketplace has witnessed an increasing demand for as-new goods, with popular categories ranging from furniture, electronics, and clothing to vintage goods and jewellery.

“The trend towards second-hand furniture sales has certainly increased over the past two years,” advises Claire Cobbledick, general manager of Gumtree South Africa. “Part of this trend is due to the tougher economic conditions we’re experiencing, as well as the looming recession.

“Personal loans have been harder to secure, and consumers have had less disposable income and access to credit. But it has also been fuelled by the DIY trend that kicked off over lockdown.”

Many individuals cleverly bought up old pieces of furniture, refurbished them and sold them for a profit, either as a hobby, or as a part-time income booster.

“On average, you can pick up good-quality second-hand pieces for between R400 and R1,000. You can easily double, or even triple, your money when you load photos of them on platforms such as ours,” Cobbledick says.

When it comes to electronics, Cobbledick agrees with Angelo in terms of consumer demand.

“Hybrid- and remote working have created a heightened demand for electronics, as connectivity in South Africa grows. We’re finding that second-hand laptops and smartphones are the most popular items on Gumtree, with buyers getting 60 to 80% of their original purchase price on items aged two to four years.”

She suggests keeping both the box in which the item came and its charger, to increase the appeal to an online buyer.

While you may not find clothing at your average pawn shop, both luxury brands, such as Prada and Balenciaga, and premium brands, such as Zara and Forever New, are fetching as much as 75% of their original purchase prices via online marketplaces.

“The reasons are clear – reselling is good for the environment and gives shoppers access to items they would not otherwise be able to afford.

“Gently used children’s clothing and school uniforms are doing amazingly well, due to how rapidly kids tend to outgrow what’s already in their wardrobes,” says Cobbledick.

In the vintage department, cameras, electronics, and kitchenalia rank highly.

“People are doing quirky things like repurposing old screens into fish tanks, and the nostalgic Gen Z crowd loves typewriters and turntables.”

Gold jewellery also comes up increasingly in the search data, and vintage engagement and wedding rings are making a striking comeback.

Buying second-hand goods helps you to avoid debt

Sellers can make a decent amount of money from their valuable, hardly used items, but buyers can also benefit.

“Buyers save money while enjoying the same, or similar, value to taking on a new item, and they avoid purchasing on credit or getting further into debt during the current financial climate,” Cobbledick explains.

“In addition, people love the thrill of being able to access something that they could not have afforded off the shelf.”

Once you’re familiar with, and trust the resale process, buying and selling second-hand goods is a smart strategy that may earn you extra cash. It may also potentially result in an extra income, if you get more involved in the market for used goods. 

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* Source did not wish to supply his surname