By JELLYN GUECO

Celebrities selling their items online is not something new. Fans even clamor for it. So when actress Carla Abellana posted her designer bags and shoes for
sale on Instagram, she probably did not expect the backlash from netizens.

Negative comments about her items being too expensive and abuse flooded
the posts, which is perhaps why the comment section is now disabled.
When I first saw the viral posts about the issue, I thought that maybe the commenters were just exaggerating and unfairly criticizing the actress. After scrolling through her closet’s Instagram feed, however, I started to understand why she got these negative reactions. Some items, which were supposedly “preloved,” “never-been-used as indicated in the bio section, appeared worn out.

To make matters worse, she was even selling a pair of shoes at a higher price than what she had paid for it (she forgot to remove the price tag). While I feel genuinely bad for Carla and I must say that some of the comments were just too harsh, I think that there’s something that can be learned from this incident for sellers of pre-owned items.

Price is priority
Everyone has a different reason for buying secondhand items—sustainability, spotting hard-to-find items, or looking for a unique piece. But even with all these reasons, we can’t deny that price is still a major factor.

My secondhand shopping journey started when I discovered “ukay-ukay” back in college. I would tag along withmy orgmates from UP Samaskom to find “vintage” clothing in Cubao. I remember that my mom would complain and
lecture me against it because the interesting smell of my thrift shop finds
would permeate the rest of the laundry.

Back then, it would amaze me how cheap the items were compared to mall
prices. Even with only a meager cash allowance, I could afford (not technically)
new clothing.

To this day, I always prioritize value for money when buying anything pre-owned. Unless it’s a unicorn item not readily available at retail stores, anything secondhand should not cost the same as or more than the cost of brand new.

If you plan on selling preowned items, make sure that the pricing is fair and reasonable, taking into consideration the condition of the item and its original price. The average Pinoy buys pre-owned items because most cannot afford to buy brand new. Setting your prices too high is just setting yourself up for disappointment and lost sales.But if you believe your pre-owned items have celebrity value, skip the Instagram post and head straight to Pinoy Pawnstars to negotiate serious cash.

Is it pre-owned, pre-loved, or just used?
If you have bought any pre-owned item before, then you’re in the majority
like me. According to a 2022 study, Filipinos are the biggest shoppers of secondhand items in Southeast Asia, with eight out of 10 Pinoys (80 percent)
saying they buy pre-owned items.

What this means is that Pinoys are already discerning shoppers when it comes to buying pre-owned items. They have a good eye for quality and they know how to spot a good deal. While this is good news to sellers because it means there is a large market for pre-owned items in the country, it also means you have to be transparent with the quality of what you’re selling.

In secondhand shopping circles, the term “pre-loved” is used when an item is still in good condition, was taken care of, and just needs a new owner. This is often the preferred term by buyers as it has a more positive connotation compared to “pre-owned,” which may imply
wear and tear.

If your item appears to have already exceeded its ROI a thousand times over, then it’s probably best to sell it at a garage sale or give it away, lest you want
backlash from your potential buyers. It has to spark joy for someone.

What I love about going to secondhand shops is that I am able to find pieces that no one else has. In my college days, it was still possible to find legit designer items squeezed in between faded retro shirts and sequined cocktail dresses for a really good price. While that’s not purely possible in this brand-conscious day and age where ukay sellers hike up potentially authentic branded stuff, you can still find really good quality items at reasonable prices.

During my trip to South Korea last year, I stumbled upon a pre-owned denim
jacket at an incredible bargain of just 10,000 KRW (₱420). And just a couple
of months ago, I was able to purchase a Michael Kors accessory for a fraction of
the original price from Second Chances PH, an online selling Facebook group
that supports noble causes.

Call it the thrill of the hunt, but there is something special about finding these
items. I’m sure I’m not alone in this sentiment. So before selling anything, ask
yourself if the item still has the potential to spark joy for someone else.

Secondhand shoppers look for things that add value to their life. It does not need to be brand-new or in super pristine condition, but at the end of the day, it has to be something someone will be proud to use again. If not, then maybe it’s not worth selling at all.