Lockhart mum Jypsie Geppert belongs to at least 100 buy swap and sell groups Facebook groups across NSW.
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The thrifty shopper is one of thousands of Riverina residents who belong to a “secondhand economy”, buying and selling items through Facebook groups and online websites such as Gumtree.
The ‘Our Thrity Family’ blogger says belonging to the scores of pages has saved her a truckload of cash over the years.
Ms Geppert said while the prices some people posted with items were “ridiculous”, it was worth it.
“We got a big TV unit with full wood and glass and drawers, fully enclosed for $40, and a trampoline for $20,” Ms Geppert said.
“We’ve got all the kids’ toys off buy swap sell and Christmas time last year we got a full storage trailer full of toys, 15 tubs, for $60 off a buy swap sell group in Albury.”
Two Facebook Wagga buy swap sell pages have nearly 50,000 members in total, with smaller groups operating in Junee, Narrandera and Leeton.
Group members can post details and photos of items they are looking to sell, with agreements on price and pick up then organised via phone or private Facebook message.
Secondhand items vary from clothing, furniture, puppies and even AFL grand final tickets.
The growth of second hand online stores also seems to have affected traditional sellers.
Owner of M and V Secondhand Furniture Mick Creed believes people have grown more aware of pre-loved items thanks to online exposure.
“It’s been good in that way, because the more options people have got the more they look around,” he said.
But the furniture store owner of 13 years said you were more likely to find better quality items in a physical store.
“I don’t always buy everything that is out there,” Mr Creed said.
“Sometimes people put it online if I don’t want to buy it.”
Wagga Business Chamber chair Michelle Bray said consumers had to be aware that these groups did not offer the same amount of legal protection. “From a consumer point of view it is not as regulated,” she said.
According to research, the average Australian has $3772 worth of unwanted items gathering dust in their garage.