"We got sick of paying the fees for our Trade Me auctions - sure it's free to list but the success fees are a killer at 7.5 per cent," Mr Hooper said.
The fees on the small items are worse, he said, due to the minimum fee of 50 cents.
"So if you sell a small item for only $1 that becomes a 50 per cent fee. We decided to do something about it."
In a way, the site was a bit of a protest, he said, to show that it's not hard to do and should not cost much.
"We have built a couple a websites before but it is definitely a hobby and not a source of income."
The couple have worked on the project on and off for about a year, he said, but with a young family, progress has been slower than they would like.
"It is still miles from the vision we have for it but it is workable and therefore we have launched so that people can start to benefit from it."
Users' feedback will be taken on board to develop the site, he said.
Originally, the site was going to target parents who wanted to buy and sell things for their children, Mr Hooper said.
"However, since the site launched a week ago the feedback that we have received from users is that they want more, an across-the-board auction website, so I am adding more categories on a daily basis and there are still tweaks that need to be made."
Hand Me Down works as an auction website where people can list items, set reserve prices or buy now prices, Mr Hooper said.
Hosting websites does not involve much in the way of costs, he said, which has meant he and his wife can do so for free.
"It just takes a bit of time, but we all need a hobby, something to wrap the brain around. If it helps a few people out and adds to the community, then that's a plus."