As we’ve moved into advanced Level 3 of lockdown, you have hopefully used the last few weeks to spend with family, carry out those ‘To Dos’ in your home or garden that have been there for months, and/or cleared out your house of unwanted goods?
The economy has put a significant amount of financial pressure on everyone so this could be an opportunity for you to turn your ‘clean out’ into cash. Cash Crusaders has been dealing in second-hand goods since 1996 and have over 220 stores nationwide which all re-opened on Monday 1 June, so you are almost guaranteed to have a store near you. “When considering this option, you want to be sure you are dealing with knowledgeable professionals who are prepared to offer you the best deal for your unwanted items,” says Sean Stegmann, CEO of Cash Crusaders. “At Cash Crusaders we specialise in second-hand goods, as well as offer cash loans against your goods, compliant with the NCR. We also offer a bespoke range of quality and affordable new goods that cater to a broader segment of the market.”
The second hand market in the US is estimated to reach around $64 billion by 2028 according to NARTS (The Association of Resale Professionals). People are more focused on value than ever before and because of the current global crisis, this will become a fundamental behaviour shift in future purchasing patterns, including here in South Africa. “Consumer behaviour suggests that this sentiment is, and will continue to shift into value-added purchasing,” says Sean. “This would ring true by simply looking at the world’s largest social network setting up an entire marketplace to meet this prevalent need.”
An expert in the buying and selling of second-hand goods needs to be a specialist across a multitude of industries. They will need to know brands, the various product SKUs associated with those brands, how old or new those products are PLUS the recommended retail price of each. To better comprehend this amount of knowledge, simply go through your house and try and answer these questions for the products in one room – now imagine adding you garden shed, musical instruments and audio visual equipment to the list. It is not an easy task and requires an individual that is technically skilled, and customer focussed.
When considering trading in your second-hand goods, be sure to check the following:
- The price you paid when you bought it
- What is the same product selling for on the online second-hand market?
- Ensure goods are clean and in sound working order. You would be amazed at how much more you can get for your goods when they are cleaned up, have their original accessories and the box it came in.