How Much Can You Make Selling on Gumtree?

How Much Money Can You Realistically Make Selling on Gumtree in 2026?

Selling on Gumtree is often seen as an easy way to generate some extra cash, but how much can you actually make? To set realistic expectations, let's break down the potential earnings and effort required for different types of Gumtree sellers: casual, part-time, and full-time.

Seller Profiles: Casual, Part-Time, and Full-Time

Casual Seller: 5-10 Items per Month

If you're a casual seller, you're likely listing between 5 to 10 items a month. This could be anything from furniture to electronics that you no longer need. Since Gumtree is free to list, your costs are minimal, with optional small fees for promotions if you choose to use them.

Let's say you sell 8 items a month at an average sale price of £40. Here’s what your numbers might look like:

Items Sold	Average Sale Price	Gross Revenue	Platform Fees	Shipping Costs	Sourcing Costs	Net Profit
8	£40	£320	£0 (optional £5 for promotion)	£0	£0	£315

As a casual seller, expect a net profit of around £315 if you avoid extra promotion fees. It typically takes around 5-10 hours a week, mostly spent on responding to inquiries and meeting buyers.

Part-Time Seller: 30-50 Items per Month

Stepping up to part-time selling involves more strategic sourcing and a bit more effort. Assume you sell 40 items a month, with a focus on high-demand categories like furniture or appliances.

Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Items Sold	Average Sale Price	Gross Revenue	Platform Fees	Shipping Costs	Sourcing Costs	Net Profit
40	£100	£4,000	£50 (for multiple promotions)	£100 (optional delivery)	£1,200	£2,650

With a net profit of £2,650, part-time selling on Gumtree can be quite lucrative. This role can take around 15-20 hours weekly, and it’s crucial to have reliable sourcing options to keep your stock fresh and appealing.

Full-Time Seller: 100+ Items per Month

Becoming a full-time seller requires dedication and a solid business plan. Selling over 100 items a month, you’ll need to manage inventory, customer inquiries, and logistics efficiently.

Here’s a potential monthly breakdown:

Items Sold	Average Sale Price	Gross Revenue	Platform Fees	Shipping Costs	Sourcing Costs	Net Profit
120	£80	£9,600	£150 (for extensive promotion)	£400 (delivery services)	£3,600	£5,450

Full-time sellers can expect a net profit of approximately £5,450, dedicating around 40-50 hours a week. This includes time for listing, meeting buyers, and handling logistics. It’s essential to have a business plan and possibly a small team or partnership to handle the workload efficiently.

Best Items to Sell on Gumtree for Maximum Profit

Gumtree is ideal for larger, high-value items that are difficult or expensive to ship through other platforms. Consider these categories:

• Furniture: Sofas, dining sets, and wardrobes do exceptionally well.
• Large Electronics: TVs and home audio systems.
• Appliances: Fridges, washing machines, and ovens.

These items often attract local buyers and allow you to maintain high-profit margins since you don’t incur shipping costs.

Common Myths vs Reality

Many believe that selling on Gumtree can lead to a passive income of £10k/month. The reality is, making that much profit requires full-time commitment, strategic planning, and an understanding of the local market. While it's possible to earn substantial income, it's far from passive and demands consistent effort and adaptation.

Tips for Scaling Your Gumtree Sales

To transition from casual to full-time selling on Gumtree, consider the following strategies:

• Use ListingGenie to create high-converting listings faster and increase your sell-through rate.
• Invest in promotions like Top Ad or Urgent Ad strategically to boost visibility.
• Develop a reliable sourcing strategy to ensure a steady flow of inventory.
• Stay organized with a simple inventory management system to track sales and stock levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making money on Gumtree:

• Q: How do I handle buyers who don't show up? A: Always confirm the meetup the day before and have a backup buyer ready.
• Q: Is it safe to accept bank transfers? A: Cash on collection is safest. Avoid bank transfers to prevent scams.
• Q: How often should I repost my listings? A: Every 2-3 days to keep them visible in search results.
• Q: Can I really make a full-time income from Gumtree? A: Yes, but it requires full-time effort and strategic selling.
• Q: Should I use paid promotions? A: They can be worthwhile for high-value or slow-moving items.