You’ve Heard Of Craigslist, But Have You Tried OfferUp?

If you have dealt with online marketplaces, you will know all the usual sites: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, just to name a few. They are like online garage sales without the weather or face-to-face haggling.

OfferUp is another online marketplace that has expanded upon this premise, giving users a much-needed fresh experience compared to those older sites.

Overview of the Site

Similar to eBay or Craigslist, the homepage shows all the different categories of things for sale.

The page displays a wide variety of items currently for sale from locations across the country, giving you an idea of what you can find. On the mobile app, the main feed will show you local listings. The feed is continuous and allows for easy scrolling between listings.

The Best Features

The main draws of OfferUp are the aspects that come with their mobile app.

• Proven Identity on profiles
• Community meetup spots
• Follower system

OfferUp requires a user profile, verified through an email or phone number, to start selling. Users can optionally include additional forms of verification to improve their reputation, which will help buyers and sellers interact with more confidence. Profiles keep track of the reviews left by customers, giving reputable sellers an edge against competitors with worse reviews.

For listings with local pickups, OfferUp has a feature known as a community meetup spot. Meetup spots are locations where buyers and sellers can meet for an exchange with less risk for both parties. They are chosen to be well lit and under surveillance to create a safe environment.

OfferUp uses a follower system similar to ones on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. The system lets users get notified when an account they follow lists a new item. Sellers can build up their market and reputation through followers, increasing the speed at which their items sell.

How to Buy and Sell

Buying and selling items on OfferUp is incredibly simple. The mobile app allows users to quickly upload photos of their product to create a listing. The OfferUp site claims listing an item can take as little as 30 seconds. Creating a listing on the app is easy, only requiring the photo, a title, a description, and a price.

When listing an item, sellers can choose whether they wish to deliver it through local pickup only or offer shipping. OfferUp provides sellers with shipping labels, paid for by the buyer, and an additional service fee gets taken out of the final payment. The fee is 12.9% but has a minimum of $1.99. To keep costs down, buyers should prioritize looking at local listings they can pick up.

Buying is easy, users only need to make an offer and agree to a price with a seller, done through the in-app messenger. Some sellers will have a “Buy Now” option, where buyers can purchase items without negotiation. Buyers should keep the reputation of the seller in mind, and thoroughly review the listing for accuracy.

Conclusion

OfferUp is a great mobile alternative to Craigslist and eBay. The company has features that prioritize the safety of users, emphasizing the goal of creating a community-based market. The app is easy for buyers and sellers, giving them a platform to communicate and make deals.