 Website review: Gumtree
Tallulah Habib
Buy or sell online, free and easy.
Classified advertising has changed in many ways since the 1500s when handwritten notices appeared nailed to posts and walls in public areas, but in many ways it is just the same: a place where ordinary people can advertise and search for goods and services.
In the modern age the process is very different. We don't even use paper. Since Craigslist first arrived on the scene in the USA, Internet classifieds have become so popular they've even appeared on Facebook.
The UK's biggest website for local community classifieds is a site called Gumtree and, lucky us, we have our own local version.
Now owned by eBay, Gumtree allows anyone to list any item for free. These items can be perused by perspective buyers who can then contact the sellers personally or through the site. You name it, you can find it on Gumtree - anything from a place to live to a new pet.
Though a putrid yellow colour, Gumtree is easy to navigate. A bar at the top of the page allows you to easily select what it is you're looking for, what category you're likely to find it in, and where you'd like to search. Your listings can then be sorted by the date and time they were posted or by the price.
If you are selling items, you can find a tab at the top of the page saying "Post Ad". Clicking on it will take you to a page where you can pick a category. Posting in that category is as easy as deciding whether you're offering or posting a "wanted" add, and writing a description. This is all for free. To post the advertisement as urgent will cost you R49. You can also select other paid-for options that will bring your ad to the fore: Highlight Ad (R30), Top Ad (R75), and Homepage Gallery (R149) for a period of a week - although you can select a longer time.
Gumtree allows you to have your own profile, which will store your posts and responses for future reference.
Of course, the problem with such a site is that it's a cesspool for scammers and conmen and you have to be very careful when using the site not to fall into any traps. Nevertheless, the convenience and the large variety of listings make it an easy first stop when you're looking to buy or sell.
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