Gifts that missed the mark land on Trade Me

Media Release

26 December 2013

Gifts that missed the mark land on Trade Me

Hundreds of thousands of searches for unwanted presents are expected on Trade Me over the next 24 hours, as New Zealanders trawl the online marketplace for Boxing Day bargains.

Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford said more than 200,000 searches for unwanted gifts were logged on Boxing Day last year. It is estimated two-thirds of people receive at least one gift that they don’t want to keep.

“It’s become a Kiwi tradition to check what is up for grabs on Trade Me on Boxing Day – a gift that missed the mark for someone elsewhere in the country could be that bargain you’ve been looking for. Trade Me also provides sellers with a low-key, painless way to make a few dollars and save a present from the bin or a lifetime condemned to the back of your wardrobe.”

In terms of items likely to emerge as unwanted gifts over Boxing Day and beyond, Mr Ford said routine offenders included perfume, socks, soap sets, overly enthusiastic lingerie, household gadgets, fitness equipment, power tools, jewellery and house plants.

“A recent survey out of the UK named onesie jumpsuits as the most undesirable gift, closely followed by weight-loss DVDs. Both options would be asking for trouble on Christmas Day, but we’d surprised if these items were on many sensible buyers’ Christmas lists,” he said.

Another item that frequently re-emerged on Boxing Day was the unloved tech-related accessory. “Despite the best intentions, that Miley Cyrus phone cover might be way off the mark on the aesthetics, or the buyer guessed the cord and charger and bought the one for the wrong gadget.”

5 odd unwanted gifts on Trade Me today
Christmas ham (trademe.co.nz/678289148)
Underwater camera case (trademe.co.nz/678492305)
Book about Christchurch Airport (trademe.co.nz/677196584)
Red and black lingerie (trademe.co.nz/678387440)
Box of old biscuits (trademe.co.nz/678290667)

3 hot tips for selling an unwanted gift

1. If you’re selling, include the words “unwanted gift” in your listing to make it easy for buyers.
2. Don’t sell handmade items, especially if your name is carved, embroidered or etched on the side.
3. Only sell brand new items, and keep the packaging as intact as possible.

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