Gumtree Australia Support Knowledgebase - Safety - Buying and Selling on Gumtree
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Buying and Selling on Gumtree



Buying on Gumtree

  1. Know your budget: Dedicate time to researching what’s out there and the average price of similar items.
  2. Ask questions: When first contacting the seller, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions:
    • How long have you had the item for?
    • Has the item had any faults you should be aware of?
    • Where was the item bought? Ideally the seller or the previous owner bought the item new.
    • Ask if there are any receipts or warranties.
  3. Be a time saver: It’s great to shop around to see what’s available in the community, just be respectful of other people’s time. 
  4. Meet the seller: For personal ease and safety, arrange to meet locally in a busy public place if possible and take a friend or family member with you. Inspect the item for any damage. If the seller offers shipping, please visit our help page here.
  5. Negotiate fairly: Do your research and negotiate on a price you think is fair – not an unrealistic amount.
  6. Show up on time: If you’ve set a time to meet a seller, stick to the plan and show up on time. If you can’t make it, these things happen, just let the person know as soon as you can so they’re not left waiting.

Selling on Gumtree

  1. Identify unused items: Make a list of all the items around your house that you don't use anymore. Where possible, include details such as how much you bought them for and what condition they're in. 
  2. Be descriptive: Describe the product you're selling, including its features, a brief history and reasons for selling the item. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to make a sale at the price you're looking for.
  3. Make your Ad visual: You will have more success with potential buyers if they can visualise the item you are selling, so it is very beneficial to include a range of images.
  4. Be honest: Be upfront, honest and accurate when listing an item – it’s good for you and our community. Don't oversell the product or fail to acknowledge any key flaws.
  5. Meet the buyer: Arrange to meet locally in a busy public place if possible and bring a family member or friend with you. For added peace of mind, it can be beneficial to ask a buyer to show their personal identification before you hand over any goods for inspection. If you decide to offer shipping, please visit our help page here.
  6. Be responsive: If you’re going to be unreachable for an extended period, simply pause your listing so you don’t keep people hanging. There will be plenty more buyers when you return.
  7. Show up on time: If you’ve set a time to meet a buyer, stick to the plan and show up on time. If you can’t make it, these things happen, just let the person know as soon as you can so they’re not left waiting.
In addition, Gumtree offers paid features which can increase the visibility of your Ad. There are different feature options which you can learn more about here.
To purchase a feature for an Ad that is already posted, go to Manage Ads and select the wanted features under Seller Tools. You can also select a feature package by clicking the Upgrade button. Alternatively, you can select the wanted features while you post your Ad.

For extra tips/advice, feel free to take a look at our video "Keeping it Real" video playlist on YouTube here.