A cheat sheet to buying and selling second-hand

It's now easier than ever to buy and sell second-hand. But how do you do it quickly, easily, and safely?

When it comes to smartphones, jewellery, and books, as well as furniture and luxury bags, there are plenty of people searching for a good deal online. No longer do you need to solely trawl through thrift shops and op-shops.

With countless online market platforms available now, you can make a profit and catch a steal in the circular economy.

Before you buy or sell

Podcasters Marty Smiley and Nat Damena have filled their entire place with second-hand goods. They say to be reasonable with your price offers and cautious if someone is trying to sell too quickly.

"For Facebook Marketplace my top tip is patience … when you need something really quickly, probably don't go to Marketplace. But if you want something for a good price, then sit on an item for three to four weeks," says Marty.

If you're buying furniture or appliances, know what you're looking for and decide what would look best in your home. Then research and pinpoint a reasonable price, so you don’t buy or sell for too low.

Take measurements in advance and verify what you're buying. This means looking for labels or stamps from manufacturers and doing a quick search to check its value. Some smells, like smoke or pets, can stick around for much longer than you expect as well.

How to haggle

There are different ways to get more bargaining power.

If you've done your research, you already know what's in the reasonable price range.

If it's been up for a week or two, you can probably haggle a lot lower than its set price. People are also more likely to sell if you say you can pick it up the same day or the next.

If there are multiple items you're after and it's within your budget, bundling them together for a lower total price can be a good move. You can also highlight any defects or issues to back your case for a lower price (politely, of course). 

Nat's advice: "[Don't] overly low-ball. You're not going to get what you want if you're low-balling."

If you're selling, pointing out other competitors' prices and undercutting them a little can help maximise profits. If you're not keen on dropping your price a bit, highlighting your item's condition and market pricing is a good move. 

Protect yourself (before you wreck yourself)

Try to verify the seller's identity before you agree to pay. Do they have other social media profiles? Any mutual friends? If they have a display picture, a quick reverse-image search could save you from an impending scam.

Jana Bowden, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at Macquarie University, warns buyers to be aware of scammers.

"Things can go wrong pretty easily. There was some research done that found that 17 per cent of buyers on Facebook Marketplace got scammed in their purchases," Professor Bowden says, referencing a survey of 1,000 people in the UK.

Also, always choose to meet up locally. After confirming the item and seller are legitimate, it's far safer to meet sellers in person and pay in cash.

Charge backs

If you can't pay in cash, pay by debit or credit card instead. Remember, this is different from a bank transfer.

Plenty of platforms now allow you to pay via credit or debit card, so you can get a charge back if your deal goes south, according to Gerard Brody, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre.

A charge back is like a refund. It reverses a transaction made on a debit or credit card. The basis for any charge back request is that you paid for a good or service that you didn’t receive. 

But remember, you can't ask your bank for a charge back if you:

• Paid with cash, money transfer, cheque, direct debit or BPAY
• Are eligible to lodge an insurance claim

There are time limits on charge backs, often ranging from 45 to 120 days from the transaction date. Make sure to check your card provider's time limit and submit a claim sooner rather than later.

Keep all the web pages, messages, and forms you have filled in, read, or received. You might need these to support your claims.

Gerard says the consumer law in Australia applies to suppliers of goods or services that are acting as a business. So, if you're just selling individual to individual, the same protections don't always apply.

"That seller must give you what they've promised to give you. But in practice, exercising those rights and getting the just outcome, there are real barriers for people," he says.

What not to buy

Mattresses can be a health hazard as it's difficult to tell how clean they really are. Bed bugs, dust mites, and bodily fluids can also be embedded in the fabrics.

Also avoid buying car seats, cribs, and other baby furniture. They could have hidden issues or may have been recalled.

Check for damage that could be irreparable or has an unpleasant odour. Avoid pest-damaged or rotting wood because it just isn't financially worthwhile.

Some fresh tips

For sellers:

• If you're selling, write your username and date on a piece of paper, then place it on or near your item in the photo. This helps reassure buyers all photos and items are legitimate.
• Take photos against white walls and in natural light.

For buyers:

• Try to contact your seller on other platforms.
• During council clean-ups, a lot of items in perfectly good condition are thrown away. So, if you're looking to make some quick cash, you can pick these up and sell them on to make a quick buck.

For more second-hand tips, listen to the Pineapple Project with Nazeem Hussain on the ABC listen App.