I’m in the middle of trying to move house and it’s safe to say my “just in case” boxes have become a problem. Every cupboard and drawer tells a story – and not always one I’m proud of. I’ve kept every drawing my kids have ever done, all the birthday cards they’ve ever been sent and there are clothes in my wardrobe older than both of them. And, if I’m honest, haven’t been worn in the last decade, let alone the last year. There are even a few beautiful diaries from 2015 that I’ve never written in but can’t bring myself to throw away because they were a gift and too nice to waste.
So when I heard eBay was launching Dear eBay, a new short-form series about decluttering, sentimental hoarding and turning clutter into cash, I took it as a sign from the universe.
Fronted by influencers and best friends Jack Remmington and Ash Holme, Dear eBay reimagines the old-school agony aunt format for a generation drowning in “stuff”. In each episode, the pair help callers decide whether their beloved but neglected items should stay or be sold while delivering their trademark mix of humour, honesty and chaos.
When we spoke, they were refreshingly unfiltered, candid and clearly at ease in each other’s company. Both had been up since 3 a.m working on the radio, yet their banter flowed as naturally as it does on their hit podcast The Jack & Ash Show. The friendship is genuine, much like their chatter, which is why they’ve garnered a legion of fans who trust them and consider them their mates, too. Which is why it is no surprise that companies like eBay have got them on board to join forces.
From beloved holey pyjamas to refusing to talk work when The Traitors is on, read on for genuine, feel-good advice.
Popsugar UK: How did Dear eBay come about?
Jack: They approached us with the idea of Dear eBay and, having seen our content and knowing what we do, it just felt like the perfect alignment. We very rarely work with brands nowadays where it’s just “Here’s the brand, here’s the thing, sell it.” There was a really fun concept behind it – the hotline, helping people, the humour – and that’s just so us.
Ash: Yeah, it’s how we like to work with brands now. It just felt like the perfect fit.
PS UK: Is that something that’s become more important as you’ve both built your careers?
Ash: Totally. When you first start, it’s all a bit ‘deer in headlights’ and you say yes to everything. But now we want to work with brands that align with who we are.
Jack: I always say this on panels. We come from a position of privilege now, where we probably say no more than we say yes and we’re really lucky to be able to do that. Starting out it wasn’t like that – we said yes to everything just to get by. But something like this was a no-brainer. We both use eBay anyway and it’s opened my eyes even more to what they’re doing with pre-loved and designer pieces.
Ash: Same. I did a feature with them last year and was like, ‘hang on, this is actually really good’. I’ve just bought some vintage Prada Milanos on eBay – absolute bargain – and I’ve been living in them.
PS UK: The show feels like a modern twist on that classic agony aunt style. How did that part evolve?
Jack: In our content, we’re always aware that people can tell when something’s an ad. You can’t pretend it’s not. So for us, it was like let’s lean into it. This is a brand we like and here’s the situation. We wanted it to be funny, overt and entertaining rather than feeling forced.
Ash: Exactly. People are so aware of what’s sponsored now. We’d rather make people laugh while still getting the message across.
“We record the podcast on a Wednesday and Thursday nights are The Traitors and takeaway night. No work talk allowed.”
PS UK: One of the big themes is that we’re a nation of hoarders. Why do you think it’s so hard for us to let go?
Jack: I was home at my parents recently and my mum said, “You haven’t lived here for years, but this is still your room.” Then she asked if she could finally clear some of my stuff out. I was like, “Not my trainers” – and she’d already given them away.
Ash: That was trainer-gate. Jack was genuinely upset. The trainers had probably been worn three times in five years, but that’s what it’s like – we attach feelings to things.
Jack: My dad’s the same. His house is out of hand. He keeps everything I’ve ever made including a terribly painted sunflower from when I was six. I said, “Dad, you can get rid of that”, and he went, “No way!”
Ash: I’ve got a box full of Christmas pyjamas from when I was a kid. They’re full of holes, but I can’t throw them away. Jack keeps telling me they need to go to someone who can actually wear them.
PS UK: I can relate – I’ve got piles of my kids’ artwork I can’t let go of. What do you think makes something worth keeping?
Ash: I think it’s about picking the things that really mean something rather than keeping everything. The sentimental stuff feels more special when there’s less of it.
Jack: Exactly. I’ve got a jumper that belonged to my grandad. It’s full of holes and stains, but it’s staying. I don’t get that attached to clothes otherwise – it’s the sentimental pieces that matter.
PS UK: You’ve both said clearing out can feel like therapy. Do you actually find it helps?
Ash: Definitely. Beyond the fact that you might make some money, it’s freeing. My wardrobe used to be so full I couldn’t even see what I owned. Now it’s neat and I can actually see my clothes. It feels lighter.
Jack: It’s such a weight off. You realise what you have, you feel more organised and you can breathe again. If you can’t see what you own, you’ll never wear it.
PS UK: Between your podcast, radio work and campaigns like this, you spend a lot of time together. How do you make sure the friendship doesn’t get lost in the work?
Jack: About a year and a half ago, we realised we weren’t hanging out as friends anymore. Every time we spoke it was about work. I messaged Ash one day like, “I just wanted to say hello to my mate.”
Ash: Yeah we see each other every day, but it’s all work so now we make proper dedicated friend time. We record the podcast on a Wednesday and Thursday nights are The Traitors and takeaway night. No work talk allowed.
Jack: Ash moving closer to where I live has made it easier too. We can just hang out like normal friends now.
PS UK: That’s such good advice. So what’s your final tip for people (like me) trying to declutter?
Ash: Be realistic. If you haven’t worn it in six months, you’re not going to.
Jack: And don’t overthink it. List it, donate it or give it away, but don’t let it sit there for another year.
As our call ended, I looked around at the piles of drawings, old clothes and half-used diaries stacked on my floor. For the first time in a while, I actually felt ready to start letting go. Maybe, just maybe, Dear eBay was exactly the push I needed. Catch it on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube now.
Lauren Ezekiel (she/her) is a former associate editor at PS UK, where she wrote about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism, she began her career in 2008 at a leading Sunday supplement, where she climbed through the ranks to become beauty editor in 2012. Lauren is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and she’s often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. A mum of two, Lauren is an advocate for the benefits of beauty and self-care for your mental well-being, which inspired her award-winning charity initiative We C U 2020. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK!, Elle UK, Health & Beauty, The Sun, Asda, Dare and Metro.
