Secondhand Commerce Trust & Purchase Behavior Survey

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in this survey. Over the next 12 minutes, we'll ask about your recent experiences buying or selling used or refurbished items. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may stop at any time. There are no right or wrong answers—we're interested in your honest opinions. All responses are confidential, anonymized, and reported only in aggregate for research purposes.

Which of the following types of shopping do you do at least occasionally? Select all that apply.

• New items from major retailers
• Used or refurbished items
• Handmade or custom items
• Wholesale or bulk purchasing
• None of the above

Where did you purchase used or refurbished items in the past 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Online marketplaces (e.g., eBay)
• Local marketplaces (e.g., Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist)
• Thrift or consignment stores
• Specialty resale apps (e.g., Poshmark, Depop, Vinted)
• Refurbished/Certified Pre-Owned from brands or retailers
• Friends or family
• Other

Where did you sell used items in the past 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Online marketplaces (e.g., eBay)
• Local marketplaces (e.g., Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist)
• Thrift or consignment stores
• Specialty resale apps (e.g., Poshmark, Depop, Vinted)
• Trade-in or buy-back to retailer/brand
• Friends or family
• Other

Overall, how much do you trust buying used items online today?

Rank the following factors by how much they influence the price you are willing to pay for a used item, from most to least important.

1. Brand reputation of the item
2. Cosmetic condition
3. Functional condition or warranty
4. Age of the item
5. Rarity or limited availability
6. Original retail price

Thinking about your most recent experience buying or selling a used or refurbished item, what went well and what could have been better?

What is your age group?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for completing this survey. Your responses have been recorded and will be used to improve the secondhand shopping experience. You may now close this window.

In the past 12 months, have you purchased any used or refurbished items?

• Yes
• No

What, if anything, limits how often you buy used or refurbished items? Select all that apply.

• I prefer new items
• Concerns about item quality or condition
• Worries about scams or fraud
• Hygiene or sanitation concerns
• Hard to verify authenticity
• Returns or warranty are complicated
• Inconvenient pickup or shipping
• Hard to find what I need
• Prices not low enough vs. new
• Not sure how to assess condition
• Other

What, if anything, makes selling used items difficult? Select all that apply.

• Takes too much time or effort
• Unsure how to price items
• Safety concerns meeting buyers
• Payment hassles
• Shipping hassles or cost
• Platform fees are too high
• Privacy concerns
• Negative past experience
• I prefer to donate or give away items
• Other

How important is seller rating or review history when deciding whether to buy a used item online?

Rank the following reasons you would choose a used item over a new one, from most to least important.

1. Lower price vs. new
2. Sustainability / reducing waste
3. Unique or vintage finds
4. Ability to inspect locally
5. Faster availability
6. Supporting local or individual sellers

You mentioned some experiences with secondhand shopping. We'd like to understand more about what shaped your trust—or lack of trust—in these transactions.

What is your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

In the past 12 months, have you sold any used items?

• Yes
• No

How important is a clear return or refund policy when deciding whether to buy a used item online?

How likely are you to purchase a used or refurbished item in the next 6 months?

In which region do you currently live?

• United States / Canada
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East / North Africa
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Prefer not to say

How important are detailed photos and descriptions when deciding whether to buy a used item online?

Compared to 12 months ago, has your willingness to buy used items online changed?

• Significantly decreased
• Somewhat decreased
• Stayed about the same
• Somewhat increased
• Significantly increased

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Some high school
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college / Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate / Professional degree
• Prefer not to say

How important is a platform's authenticity or quality verification when deciding whether to buy a used item online?

What is your current employment status?

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Homemaker
• Student
• Retired
• Unemployed, seeking work
• Unemployed, not seeking work
• Prefer not to say

How important is the price discount compared to new when deciding whether to buy a used item online?

How concerned are you about receiving counterfeit or misrepresented items when buying used online?