THE UK’S UNWANTED GIFT REPORT 2013
WHO’S BEEN SELLING THEIR STUFF ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
- On Christmas day listings for computers and tablets shot up 25% on eBay in the UK
- Perhaps we should rethink those handmade gifts: there were 25,000 listings for craft items today
- Hard to please: 10 times more women’s clothes listed than men’s in last 24 hours
- Brand new, unwanted iPad Air listings today outnumber iPad Mini by 4:1
- Gumtree has seen iPhone and Playstation (both PS3 and PS4) as top search terms today
NO MERCY FOR UNWANTED GIFTS
- Almost 8 in 10 Brits would consider reselling an unwanted gift
- Britons sitting on £2.4bn of unwanted gifts
- Two per person, average value £48.41 each
THE WORST OFFENDERS
- In-laws and extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) worst offenders
- Most unpopular gifts DIY/tools – but average resale price of a toolbox alone on eBay is £31
- Clothing, accessories, beauty products and jewellery are the hardest gifts to get right
- Italians most likely to receive an unwanted gift, of countries surveyed in Europe
WHO’S GETTING IT RIGHT?
- The rise of DIY gifting: over half of respondents in Ireland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain and Sweden have gone out to buy a gift for someone else and ended up buying one for themselves
- Easiest person to buy for: children, ranks higher than spouse, much higher than parents
- Over 1 in 10 respondents in Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain have used social media to influence the gifts they receive
KEEP CALM AND SAY NOTHING – A NATION OF FORCED SMILES
- When receiving a gaffe gift, half of all British adults thank the person enthusiastically hiding their true feelings
- Ten per cent politely admit they do not want the present and ask for a receipt
- Eight per cent admit that they don’t really like the gift but leave it at that
- Four per cent don’t hold back and honestly tell their friend or relative exactly what they think of the Christmas present blooper
BEAT THE POST-CHRISTMAS PAYDAY CRUNCH
- Free to list on eBay 25 December – 5 January
- Always free to list your gifts on Gumtree
- Expect more than 100,000 listings on Boxing Day on eBay
- Top tips: take good photos, write accurate descriptions and keep the box!
- Unlock the value of unwanted gifts and beat the post-Xmas payday crunch
FAST FACTS
- eBay: Marketplace with 75% sales brand-new items, simple to list and sell on mobile to sellers across the UK and worldwide
- Gumtree: UK’s number one Classifieds site with over 1.5million listings, ideal for selling locally
CASE STUDIES
eBay
Paul,32, from London received ANOTHER knitted jumper from his aunt this year. He appreciates the thought but he has so many v-neck tops he could start his own shop.
He’s putting the jumper on eBay today to make a bit of extra cash to help pay off his Christmas credit card bill.
He says: “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the thought but I really don’t need another jumper. I’ve sold clothes on eBay before, it’s a quick and easy way to make extra cash, especially when I need it most. I put the item up for sale at a fixed price, which not everyone knows you can do on eBay.”
Asked if he feels guilty selling on his gift, he says: “Not really. I know my aunt wants me to get something that I actually want for Christmas, so she’d definitely approve of me selling it on. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s also on her iPad using eBay to flog her own unwanted gifts!”
Gumtree
Tim and Mel, 43 & 36, from Fife, Scotland received loads of toys and clothes for their newly born son, James. They now have a grand total of seven winter baby outfits.
They are using Gumtree to convert their older winter baby clothes into much needed cash.
Mel says: “People are so kind at Christmas, especially when there is a new baby in the house. We’re overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity, but we just don’t have the space or need for all the extra clothes. We’ll stick our additional winter suits on Gumtree to make a bit of extra cash. I know loads of mums who use it so we should be able to make a few quick sales.”