While used household goods may seem to take up space and conflict with a changing interior design of a house over time, they may turn out to be useful to someone else who is starting out in their life.
Realising that there is an unmet need, entrepreneurs in Nairobi have come up with online groups where the selling and buying of second-hand household items takes place.
Here, the seller advertises a number of goods including used furniture and electronics with a tagged price. The prices are mostly half of what the new item costs or relatively cheaper depending on what condition the item is in.
The buyers then bargain on the comment section, contacts are exchanged and the item is picked on the location at an agreed date.
"Recently, I was able to sell a fridge on one of the second-hand platforms. This helped me because I was in need of a bigger fridge," Nyokabi Kamau stated.
This business model has worked for many individuals since it is a win-win for both partners at the end of the transaction. The seller disposes of an item and the buyer gets a much-needed commodity.
"Do you have items in the house you don't need anymore? Or are you looking for some used household goods? This is your group," an excerpt of a group by the name Used Household goods reads.
During the Covid-19 pandemic period, some Kenyans have been able to sell the commodities in a bid to pay the rent or to sort out other financial problems.
Oni Leah Shiko, an administrator of one of the groups, Second Household Groups, stated that she saw it fit to provide a digital marketplace where people can sell and buy items easily.
"Please, if you are not selling anything second-hand household on this group, don't post it here," reads an excerpt of the group's rules and regulations.
The business is not without hurdles as there are individuals who are scammers. They post an item, buyers send money but they do not keep your side of the bargain.
The group administrators warn individuals to be very careful when transacting and only pay once an exchange of an item has taken place.
