Trade Me’s spokesperson Millie Silvester noted the surge of bargain hunters on Boxing Day, stating, “Last year, we saw almost 60,000 searches for ‘unwanted gifts’ on the 26th itself, and this year is already looking similar with over 10,000 searches yesterday – most before Christmas dinner had even been served.”
A recent survey by Trade Me revealed that 42% of New Zealanders typically receive at least one unwanted gift. Silvester mentioned, “It’s become a bit of a tradition for Kiwis to list their unwanted Christmas pressies on Trade Me.”
The survey also indicated that 25% of Kiwis plan to list any undesirable gifts received. Silvester reassured sellers that most people are not offended if a gift is resold, with over half of New Zealanders (51%) being fine with their gifts being sold on.
Moreover, the survey found that 70% of Kiwis pretend to like a gift they were not happy with, highlighting the importance of including “unwanted gift” in the title to attract buyers. Silvester advised on clear, well-lit photos and emphasized the impact of a good item backstory on sales.
Popular methods of dealing with unwanted gifts, as per the survey, include donating to charity, regifting, or stashing them away. Silvester cautioned against listing handmade or highly personalized items, as they can be challenging to sell.
In conclusion, Trade Me anticipates a rise in listings of unwanted gifts in the coming days and encourages sellers to optimize their listings for better visibility and sales.
