Question for GENUINE SMALL PRIVATE SELLERS re Sales.

[vintique*violet]

I was wondering if GENUINE small private sellers would share their experience of their sales for the past few months particularly November / December as this is supposed to be the busiest time. 

No need for details, just the completed successful orders, the total amount, postal service used and how the delivery went? 

November 

Order total  11 - All posted using RM Tracked 48 all delivered safely and fast.  

December

Order total 7... My last sale was 11th December 2024 , Marked as despatched & posted 13th, and delivered  on the 16th . Royal Mail Tracked 48. 

All completed orders and feedback left except for a few  as through experience I find  not everyone likes to leave feedback. 

2023 Nov/Dec Sales were nearly double.  

There has been nothing since and I have taken off many higher value items and deciding if  I will list or re-list for the rest of January before the BPF kicks in. 

Thank you. 

[vintique*violet]

I totally forgot about gumtree... I may try there... 

Well I think a specialised site for collections/collectors in that genre would be fabulous... Surprised no one has " built" one.  

[rugbyguy1960]

I honestly don't blame you.

Hopefully even with fees you'll definitely have less hassle.

[wintersdawn1]

Have used this site in the past with good results, although took a while:

https://www.preloved.co.uk

[rugbyguy1960]

At least gumtree is more local.

My only concern is I need to find out who brought gumtree out.

[podlingsmum2007]

I realised I already replied to this thread before 🤔. Sales have come to a holt since BPF. Very little views at all. I think if I see items with one view I tend to see that as the new zero. Watchers appear to be other sellers of like items.

[vintique*violet]

Mmmm now was it eBay or was it Facebook? 

Unsure... 

[rugbyguy1960]

I've a horrid feeling it was ebay.

[vintique*violet]

Never heard of them, but thank you so much. Going to check it out.. may help with my furniture.... oh noticed there is freeloved too... happy for someone to collect a big box of china for free 😉 

[wintersdawn1]

Multiple companies own Gumtree, including Adevinta ASA, O3 Industries, Novum Capital, Impresa Capital, and The Market Herald. 

Gumtree UK 

• In 2020, eBay sold Gumtree UK to Adevinta ASA for over $9 billion.
• In 2021, Adevinta ASA sold Gumtree UK to a consortium of O3 Industries and Novum Capital.

Gumtree Australia 

• In 2022, The Market Herald acquired Gumtree Australia for A$86.7 million.

Gumtree South Africa 

• In 2022, Impresa Capital acquired Gumtree South Africa for an undisclosed sum

[rugbyguy1960]

So true. Or other sellers seeing what price they could get for something similar.

[rugbyguy1960]

At least its nice to see that some sellers are helpful to other sellers.

[rugbyguy1960]

Than you so much for that info.

At least my worst fears are not reality.

[vintique*violet]

Thank you just looked it up on wiki... 

In May 2005, Gumtree was acquired by eBay's classifieds group for an undisclosed sum; however, eBay disclosed that it paid a collective $81.6 million for three classified sites: Gumtree, LoQUo and opusforum (with Gumtree being the largest). At the time of the acquisition, Gumtree was available in multiple cities in United Kingdom, Poland, France, Canada, Australia (Gumtree Australia), Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and Hong Kong.[citation needed]

On 7 January 2016, Gumtree's re-branding, including updated logo was published on their website and respective apps.[3]

In July 2020 eBay sold Gumtree UK to Adevinta ASA in a deal worth over $9 billion.

Such a huge amount of money... makes your eyes water... 

[vintique*violet]

There are a plethora of sellers who are so helpful... but years back it was a much better community, and a much better marketplace where you could sell and have control over your own account! 

Off for a nighttime cup of vanilla coco, hoping it will help the insomnia... 😂

Nice communicating with you and thank you for all the info. I hope sales pick up for you and/or you find another " space."

[rugbyguy1960]

Likewise. It has been great and hopefully we'll chat again soon.

[kicia1964]

In 2022 and 2023 I suspended my sales altogether across all platforms in mid-November and recommenced them in early January relisting all items.  I found that they all sold relatively quickly in the new year.  In my case, it was not so much because items were not selling although sales did slow, but the incessant haggling over price with people demanding 50-75% discounts, a massive increase in non-delivery claims (mostly genuine but I have at most 1 over the rest of the year) and outright scams involving reports of damaged items wanting refund with no return.  I will be doing the same in 2025.  I simply found it to be too much hassle dealing with endless negotiations, pursuing non-delivery complaints and dealing with scammers.  I prefer to enjoy the run up to Christmas.

[rugbyguy1960]

I don't blame you.

I can understand some buyers trying to get a bit of a discounted price because being a private seller and buyer I I get to experience both sides.

As a seller I am so annoyed that buyers don't see the actual start price that I decided on. As a buyer if someone sends something that's tracked I know there is no need for the supposed buyer protection as tracked postage gives a certain level of protection for seller and buyer.

It's all become a total mess.

[rugbyguy1960]

Hope you enjoyed your vanilla coco lol.

I've just been catching up on some of the posts on my thread which has got some interesting posts.

[rugbyguy1960]

Another late night lol.

[vintique*violet]

😁.... For sure, but soon heading off... came on for some late night " light" reading.