We live in a spending society and people tend to acquire more and more stuff than ever before in history. 100 years ago, an average household owned about 180 items – families of the new millennium own over 10,000 different things and they keep on buying. Scientists are even convinced to see this figure rising as people make more money than ever before and they also loan more money than ever before. Thus, they keep on buying, buying, and buying.
What can you see when you drive through your neat neighborhood? You see cars parked outside of garages as people need extra space for storing their stuff. You’ll also see storage buildings popping up like mushrooms. Every year the demand for space is growing in 2-digit numbers and this is not only because of real estate prices going through the roof – that’s because people buy and store more than ever before.
As most people are aware that they own too much stuff, selling and trading is a way to create new space and get some money back in the bank. Ecommerce companies realized early that there is big money to make and besides Craigslist, what was the first online marketplace in the US, numerous apps and websites are now offering solutions to get rid of things people don’t longer need or want.
There are different websites and apps for various merchandise-groups. Some are specialized in pre-owned fashion and accessories, others help to sell furniture or antiques and others however buy or consign luxury goods like jewelry, watches, or diamonds.
Marketplaces & Selling Apps for Selling and Buying Jewelry & Watches
Complex solutions for very valuable items like gold jewelry, luxury watches, fine jewelry, diamond engagement rings, or gemstones are designed to help people selling expensive things online. Doing a reputation-research is highly recommended as some companies offer really bad services. Making an extensive investigation and looking for real customer reviews is very important. Yelp, BBB and Google are well-known sources where people leave reviews but unfortunately these reviews are getting faked too often. Independent testing websites like BuyerTests.com are an option to check on a company’s reputation. They recently tested buyers and awarded the reDollar llc to be on of the best buyers in the US.
Online consignment stores are currently much hyped. Magazines like Vogue, DuJour or Porter are recommending online consignment companies although some are facing severe criticism. What probably is really good about those marketplaces is the possibility to strike a bargain. Markdown events and coupons make it possible to find designer jewelry and luxury fashion for almost unbeatable prices. But who is paying for the party? The consigners are those who pay for it as the huge discounts apply to listed merchandise what results in a significant lower payout for the consigners often not communicated and coordinated with them before. Those practices are resulting in tons of BBB complaints and negative reviews. By November 11th 2018, The RealReal – one of the biggest consignment stores in the US – had 116 closed BBB-complaints with only a 1.5 stars rating mostly with terrible reviews.
Sellers and consigners should be aware of bad and non-transparent business practices. Reviews are a
great indicator if a business is working reliable or not. Some of the biggest consignment stores have not one review displayed as referring to reviews would reveal the truth about tons of negative feedback received.
Minimalism Is a New Trend in the US
But more and more people are getting tired of buying and buying. There is an obvious trend of reducing stuff and downsizing lifestyle. People begin to realize that it’s not the stuff they own is what matters in their life to be happy, it’s their health and vitality. Spending time with family and friends or going out into nature brings long-lasting joy. Especially millennials go for that trend. Although they have high paychecks, many tend to live on a small scale with inner peace and less stuff. They spent their hard earned money for travelling and for doing good things. They donate and often become active parts of non-profit companies.
They are also food-conscious and do grocery-shopping in a more consciously way respecting Earth’s
precious resources. Organic food and fair-trade merchandise is worth to spend the dollar. Mother Nature and our environment matters more than a Hermes bag, a Cartier necklace or a Rolex watch. It’s a really great movement and as more people get involved the demand for selling apps and consignment places will decrease as people trade less stuff and buy more selective.
Craigslist & Co Prolong Product Cycles
Besides criticisms, marketplaces like Craigslist prolong product cycles and people who buy pre-owned products help to reduce pollutants and waste. Why not buying a pre-owned lawnmower instead of a brand-new one from Home Depot if they are doing the same job? Why not buying a used bicycle if you only ride if twice a year? And what’s wrong about getting used skis if you don’t even own a season-pass? There is nothing wrong about it at all and more and more consumers are getting engaged by buying less and pre-owned.
