From InsideRetailing.com.au
According to TradeMe’s Mike O’Donnell listings in some categories are up 20%, such as trampolines and sporting equipment. O’Donnell reckons the site isn’t feeling the pinch of the recession. He says traders are opting to sell their old gear to free up extra cash. The funny thing is a lot of people would have bought their old stuff off trademe, so now TradeMe gets a second cut of the action! What other retailer can say that.
One of the more interesting points is that over 47% of the goods sold are brand new goods. A far cry from the old garage sales days where everything was second hand. Although I would have thought that brand new goods would have made up a higher percentage.
With the site being focussed more on new goods it really changes the dynamics of the site. It becomes more of a e-commerce retail site, than a private-seller second hand goods market. And with TradeMe shying away from the traditional auction model this further pushes the second hand goods market away. To be honest I hardly ever buy anything second hand from the site. Even going back years I might have bought one or two second hand items. Too much risk, and effort to win an auction. Better to get something new, at a TradeMe price.
Full article available here:
http://www.insideretailing.com.au/articles-page.aspx?articleType=ArticleView&articleId=3924
We only hope TradeMe will add a shopping cart to their site, at least for purchases from the same seller. Its annoying to have to link up more than one purchase from one seller. All they need is a simple shopping cart and one shipping fee calculator. Its not like they can’t afford the technology!
