Speaker : Finn
So, the first one that comes to mind is Facebook Marketplace, which I’ve used quite a bit to buy second-hand stuff.
As a university student, I don’t exactly have a huge budget, so I often look for used items rather than buying everything brand new. You can find all sorts of things on there—furniture, electronics, clothes, bikes, and even old textbooks. But personally, I mainly use it to look for furniture and small electronics.
For example, last year I really needed a desk for my room, so I had a look on Marketplace. I found a second-hand wooden desk that looked almost new, and the seller was asking for less than half of what I’d have paid in a furniture shop. I dropped them a quick message to check its condition and dimensions, and after a bit of back-and-forth on the price, we agreed on a price. I went to collect it a couple of days later, and luckily, they lived fairly close to my uni, so getting it back to my place was really easy.
I find the platform so useful mainly because it saves me quite a lot of cash—which, as a student, is obviously a massive bonus. I also like that you can see clear photos of what you’re actually getting, ask the seller questions directly, and usually negotiate a bit. On top of that, buying second-hand just feels like a much more sustainable option, since you’re giving something a second life instead of buying a brand-new product.
So, I wouldn’t say I’m on Facebook Marketplace every day, but whenever I’m looking for something relatively expensive, it’s pretty much the first place I check.
Speaker: Blondie
Oh, definitely eBay. I’ve had the app on my phone for years, and it’s still my go-to whenever I want to get rid of things I don’t use anymore or find something specific for my apartment.
You can find pretty much everything on there, but I personally tend to use it for workwear and home items.
For example, I had a bit of a clear-out of my closet a couple of months ago and found a few blazers and pairs of tailored trousers that I used to wear to the office, but just don’t really suit my style anymore. So I took some quick photos on my phone, put them up as fixed-price listings, and then just shipped them off when they sold.
On the other hand, I recently used eBay to find a mid-century desk lamp for my home office. I wanted something a bit different, but I didn’t really want to spend a fortune on a brand-new one from a high-end shop. So I set up a search alert, waited for a few options to come up, and eventually bid on one that was in really good condition. I ended up getting it for a fraction of what a similar lamp would have cost new.
I think what I like most about eBay is just how convenient it is. After a long day at work, I don’t really want to spend my evening going around shops, so being able to sit on the sofa and look for something on my phone is ideal. And obviously, making a bit of extra money from things I don’t use anymore is a nice bonus. I also like the fact that I’m giving good-quality things a second life instead of just throwing them away.
So yeah, I wouldn’t say I’m constantly buying things on eBay, but whenever I’m looking for something specific or having a clear-out, it’s usually one of the first places I check.
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