OfferUp Review – Should You Use This Online Marketplace?

You’re looking to find a side-hustle where you can sell either new or used items, and you’ve thought about using OfferUp. However, you’re not quite sure if it’s the best route to go because you might have heard about the scams that take place. Or maybe you’re just wondering if there is a better platform for you to use to sell your items. This OfferUp review will cover everything you need to know about using the app and whether or not it is a viable side-hustle option.

How Does OfferUp Work?

OfferUp is a top-rated application that allows you to buy and sell items locally. You can choose to sell new or used items, including, but not limited to, books, electronics, clothing, and cars.

When you first sign up, the application will ask for your location, so that you can buy and sell in your area. You have the option of creating an account or using your Facebook account to have an account created for you. Your best bet is to use the Facebook option as it will automatically verify your email and set you up with a profile picture. Through this method, your account will look more credible.

The application is easy to use. All you have to do is take photos of the item you want to sell, add the details of the item you are selling (category, condition, and description), input the asking price (which has an option for being firm on the price), and the delivery method. You can do all of this through the application which walks you, the seller, through their 4-step process. Then, buyers can find your item on the app and make you an offer. 

Concerning the delivery method, you can either meet up with the buyer in-person to deliver the item or use their shipping option that will ship nationwide, giving you access to a larger pool of people. 

If you decide to meet with the buyer, OfferUp has an in-app map that will recommend public locations to meet up with the buyer. Once you pick the meetup place, you can send the location to the buyer. Both of you will get a link to the place that you can both find via your GPS. 

Additionally, when you meet up with the buyer, the way to collect your money is in cash. Do not accept check, credit card, or any other form of payment. Only accept cash. Taking forms of payment other than cash is how people get scammed. See the image below for more tips regarding the meeting.

As for the shipping method, OfferUp collects the money for you. Through the use of the shipping method, users can use major credit and debit cards to make purchases. Once the item is delivered, your money will be transferred to your deposit account within five business days. OfferUp will charge a minimum of $1.99 or a 12.9% service fee for items that are shipped.

Buyers can also rate and review you, which makes it easier to get more buyers in the future. Buyers are also reviewed by sellers, which can help you discern who are good buyers. 

Now that you know how the OfferUp app works read on to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using it.

OfferUp Advantages

The main advantage of using OfferUp is that it is one of the most well-established apps for buying and selling. Therefore, you are typically going to get a lot more people using the application than an application such as LetGo. When it comes to making this a viable side-hustle option, the application saturation is good for getting more buyers to bid on your item. 

Also, because there is a review system, it gives users more peace of mind and takes away some of the uncertainty that might come with using a platform, like Craigslist. Additionally, the more good reviews you get, the more likely people are to buy from you.

In terms of enhancing safety for buyers and sellers, the application also has multiple verification features. TruYou is one of the features that the app uses to verify identity. This verification process creates greater trust between buyers and sellers. 

Additionally, the application is straightforward to use, which makes the selling experience practically effortless. You also don’t need to pay any OfferUp selling fees to list items or sell them, unlike on other platforms. That means more money for you!

The in-app map that offers suggestions for locations to meet also makes the selling experience more convenient. Furthermore, if you want even more convenience and greater passivity in your side-hustle, the shipping option is excellent for that. Plus, you’ll get an even larger audience of people looking to buy.

The app also makes it easy for buyers to find your offers by having a search option, organizing items into specific categories, and by splitting up the delivery methods into two sections titled “Pick up” and “Shipping.” Therefore, depending on what delivery method you use, buyers looking for that delivery option will be able to find you as well.

Lastly, you also have the option to stay firm on a price to reduce the number of people wanting to negotiate on price. Through this, you may be able to sell your items at higher rates. However, doing this could also result in fewer people reaching out, so you may need to play with what the best option is for what you are selling.

OfferUp Disadvantages

The disadvantages of using OfferUp come from the inherent potential problem of using any platform to buy and sell items: the risk of scammers. If you plan to meet up with someone in person, there is a risk of a scam, but, once again, if you make the buyer pay in cash, you can avoid this. Click here to learn more about how to avoid common scams. 

Another main disadvantage of using the application is the fee associated with the shipping feature. Using this feature does make the selling process more passive while giving you access to a wider audience, but there is a price you pay for that. 

To continue, while there is a rating system designed to instill trust between buyers and sellers, this rating system could also backfire on you if you don’t give the customer what they want. Make sure you are being honest about the condition of the items as well as being prompt in responding to customers and getting items delivered. That way, you don’t end up with negative reviews that prevent you from getting more buyers in the future.

Lastly, while the OfferUp application saturation of buyers and sellers does increase your exposure to buyers, it also increases competition between sellers. Therefore, if you are selling similar items to other sellers, but charging way more, you are less likely to get as many buyers reaching out. Or you may get buyers wanting steep price discounts. 

Is OfferUp Worth It?

As a seller, OfferUp is a great way to make some extra cash. It’s also an incredibly viable side-hustle option because you can essentially have a garage sale without all of the inconvenience of actually having one. The app makes it very easy to sell your items. The review system helps reduce scams. And if you are smart about it, you can have a smooth seller experience without getting caught up in a scam. 

If you want to get creative, you could even find super cheap buys, buy them, and resell them on another application or platform, like Facebook Marketplace. Just make sure to educate yourself on how to avoid common scams for buyers, so you don’t end up purchasing an item that isn’t functioning or what you thought it was supposed to be. 

Are There Other Apps Like OfferUp?

If you want to sell items, you have many platforms available to you. There are plenty of apps like OfferUp.

You don’t only need to use apps. You can also use websites. Some of the more viable options are:

• LetGo
• Facebook Marketplace
• Craigslist
• Poshmark

There are also other options like eBay and Mercari, but if you don’t want to pay a 10% fee to sell your items (even if you don’t use the shipping method), stick with OfferUp or one of the four other options mentioned. 

While each platform listed has its own set of pros and cons, the best option for someone trying to make selling items a side-hustle is to list your offers on multiple platforms. 

Depending on your location, you may find that the LetGo app has more buyers than OfferUp does.

As for Facebook Marketplace, you are going to have an even larger potential audience than both of these apps because Facebook has been around longer, has a more substantial user-base, and can also be used via mobile and desktop. Therefore, older users who may not be as tech-savvy (i.e., using mobile apps to buy items) may use Facebook Marketplace instead. Additionally, Facebook Marketplace tends to list higher prices, which means if you list your items there, you are more likely to be able to sell your items at a higher price. However, also post your items on OfferUp and LetGo so that you can compare bids. 

Craigslist is another great platform to use for your selling endeavor. Many users have great success, but since there is no rating system, you need to proceed with even more caution when using this method.

Poshmark is an excellent app for someone trying to sell new or used clothes online. If you want to get rid of clothes you no longer wear or are outdated, Poshmark is one of the best applications for this. 

Wrapping Up

There you have it. The OfferUp app itself is not a scam. You can make money selling items using the application and do it fairly easily. The app is also very convenient, except for the fact that you have to drive to meet someone. You can make it even more passive with the shipping option, but you will sacrifice some profit.

Always make sure to be smart and vigilant about potential scammers on any selling platform you use. And if you want the highest chance of selling your items quickly and at the highest price, list them on multiple platforms. Now, get to side-hustling!