1 in 6 Americans use Internet to sell goods

A new study has described the Internet as a worldwide flea market after finding that one in six U.S. Internet users have sold goods and services online, and that 2% do so on any given day.

The study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that most sales are typically conducted through such online classifed ads sites as Craigslist or through an auction like eBay. It noted that the surge in online sales is causing Americans to dump traditional venues like newspaper classifieds and yard sales.

In all, the number of Americans using online classifieds has shot up 80% in the past year, the report said.

Though people from all walks of life sell online, sellers are particularly likely to be male, in their 30s, relatively affluent and well-educated. They are also relatively intense users of the internet who have broadband connections and go online frequently, the report said.

“This is the era of the anytime, anywhere yard sale,” said Amanda Lenhart, Senior Research Specialist at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. “The Internet has radically expanded the customer base for unwanted household items just as it has opened up new markets for more traditional forms of commerce. The whole wired world is a flea market.” (dpa)