‘Please come back!’: Salvos plea as online buy, swap, selling hits hard

The Salvation Army has urged people to return to their stores, with donations plummeting while Victorians try to make an extra dollar for their unwanted items online.

Many not-for-profit second-hand stores are taking a hit amid the surging popularity of online trading websites like Gumtree and eBay, as well community Facebook pages.

The Herald Sun today reports Australia’s “second-hand economy” is valued at over $40 billion, and research by Gumtree estimates the average household is sitting on about $5400 worth of unwanted items.

Salvos CEO Matt Davis told 3AW Breakfast’s Justin and Kate that there was a bad shortage of furniture.

“It has been an unintended consequence of the second-hand economy,” he said.

“We’re really noticing it in country towns of Victoria where there’s nearly no furniture donations.

“Before they bring it down to the op shop, they’re having a crack online.”

Click PLAY at the top of the page to hear more from Matt Davis