I make £100s flogging my Christmas gifts online on BOXING DAY – family hate it, it’ll buy me my first home

THERE’S nothing worse than the disappointment of opening a gift you hate. 

But while most people grin and bear it, savvy saver Francesca Roffey, from Bexley, South East London, turns her pain to pounds - by flogging her unwanted Christmas presents for a small fortune.

Francesca, a data analyst, estimates she’s made almost £500 from selling duff gifts on Vinted, which include a pair of boots a size too small, toiletry sets from a Secret Santa at work and a designer bag which wasn’t to her liking.

“It’s a no brainer when it comes to making money,” she says, proudly. 

“I upload an item one minute, and it can be sold within the same hour. It's such easy cash. 

“Vinted is such a popular selling app right now and it suits me perfectly. 

“I’m in saving mode at the moment with the hope of buying my first home in the next year, so every penny helps.”

Disgruntled gift givers

And if that means discarding pressies from her pals and boyfriend Aston, 26, so be it.

“Aston bought me a pair of suede platform boots for £50 but they weren’t my cup of tea at all,” Francesca, 25, explains. 

“And it didn’t help that they were a size 5 and I wear a 6. 

“I sold them for a fiver. 

“Aston wasn’t exactly pleased when I told him the price I got for them, but he doesn’t keep his receipts, so it was the best result. I don’t want unwanted shoes clogging up my wardrobe.”

Discount designer

And Francesca has no qualms about selling designer goods at discount rates either.

“I got a lovely Coach bag from my two best mates last year, but I didn’t use it as I’m very particular about the size of bags,” she says. 

“So I put it on Vinted and got £30. I’ve never actually told them but I don’t think they’d be upset. We’re very honest with each other. 

“One of the girls who got me the bag told me the other day that a pair of earrings I’d gifted her had gone in the bin because they’d turned a funny colour.”

Francesca also made short shrift of unwanted Secret Santa gifts.

She says, “I’ve sold some toiletry sets, the ones that Boots sell every year that you give people when you have no idea what to get them, which were from work secret Santas. 

“I don’t feel guilty about it, if I’m not going to use it, I might as well make money from it.”

For Francesca, all the effort that goes into taking photos, dealing with buyers and dispatching the items is worth it for the returns.

“I know some people would rather chuck their old bits away to save the faff of taking photos and going though the whole selling process, but I think it’s well worth it, even if I sell something for as little as £1 or £2. 

“The post office man and I are on first name terms now as I seem to be posting items I’ve sold at least every three days!”

Another man's trash...

It’s not just unwanted pressies that Francesca sells on, she even gets freebies from the street which goes straight on Vinted.

“During my regular dog walk, I saw someone had put something on their garden wall, with a sign that said ‘Feel free to take me’”, she explains. 

“It was a product called a Smart Garden. I had no idea what it was, but a quick Google later showed me it retailed at £90. 

“So I took it and ended up selling it for £25. I think everyone should be more open to selling second hand stuff, including gifts. 

“Don’t be sneaky about it, be open and honest if the gift givers ask.

“It’s definitely less awkward than asking for a receipt!”