OfferUp Review – Scam or Legit? Exposed!

Are you looking for an OfferUp review? But you may wonder if it is a scam.

The widespread use of the Internet has made shopping and selling more convenient than ever before. 

With the help of a few clicks and an app, anyone can enter the market for used goods.

OfferUp is often cited as one of the best buying and selling apps because it makes it so easy to sell things locally online. More than 85 million people have downloaded OfferUp, but does that mean you should use it to buy and sell old goods?

In this comprehensive review of OfferUp, we’ll dive deep into the app’s legitimacy, security, and business model.

​​As a disclaimer, I’m not affiliated with OfferUp. It means I’m not paid to write this review. So you can rest assured that you will get an honest and unbiased review from me.

At the end of this review, I’ll also tell you the best alternative to OfferUp that has enabled me to make a full-time passive income online.

What is OfferUp?

OfferUp is a free and straightforward software for selling everything from used furniture and books to newer technology and clothing and even automobiles. The software uses your phone’s GPS to show potential buyers where you are.

It’s great that the app allows users to quickly and easily connect with other users, both as buyers and sellers, through the built-in chat feature. All in all, I like how easy it is to create offers and receive requests.

It is possible to use OfferUp to search for locally available secondhand items that are being sold at bargain prices.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Does OfferUp Work?

OfferUp is useful because it facilitates contact between buyers and sellers. Pre-written messages and questions are provided in the chat to allow quick communication with the customer.

When viewing an item, you can select either “ask a question ” or “make an offer”.

Interested customers will contact you via message to negotiate a price for your product. After you agree on a price, you can arrange a time and place to meet.

The app uses the location services of the user’s mobile device to determine their exact location, but they never have to tell potential buyers their exact address. Entering your city and the code ZIP will only give you a rough idea of how far the item actually is from you.

What Can You Sell with OfferUp?

OfferUp is a platform where you can sell things like;

• Clothing.
• Power Tools
• Gardening Equipment.
• Baby Gear. 
• Furniture
• Appliances
• Shoes
• Kitchen Stuff

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How to Start Selling on OfferUp?

OfferUp makes it as easy as possible to sell your items.

Step 1: Download the OfferUp App

To start selling on OfferUp, simply download the app for free on your iOS or Android device.

Step 2: Create Your Account

After you download the app, you’ll need to register for an account.

To save time, I recommend signing up with your Facebook account. Also, Facebook verification gives the company profile a more trustworthy look.

Step 3: Upload Photos & Publish a Listing

After you sign up with OfferUp, the next step is to create your offer by adding photos and text.

Include a total of four images, two of which should show your product from different angles. 

Also, you should use photos of the actual item for sale and not generic images from the Internet.

Step 4: Promote Your Listing to Sell Your Item Faster

You can boost your ads with Promote and Promote plus if you want to move your stuff fast and get rewarded. With these tools, your offer will appear at the top of the site’s search results, increasing its visibility and perhaps the speed at which it sells.

OfferUp’s fees start at $1.99 or 12.9% of the sale price, whichever is higher.

Step 5: Complete the Sale & Get Paid

Once you’ve reached an agreement with a buyer, arrange a meeting in a public place to complete the sale. This completes the sale.

Below is a list of public places where you should meet with your buyer:

• Cafe
• Mall
• Hotel lobby
• Or even a police station lobby

Step 6: Rate the Buyer

You can leave a review for the buyer on OfferUp to help other sellers determine if they are a good fit.

Please note that the buyer’s rating is completely voluntary and the sale will still be processed.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

OfferUp Benefits

No Fees

Joining OfferUp is free and listing products is free of charge.

Easy to Use

The ease with which messages can be sent and received within the app itself.

Great Deals

With OfferUp, you can quickly and easily find great deals on used items for sale near you.

Courteous and Friendly Transactions

OfferUp’s customer service is professional and helpful. The platform also makes processing easy.

OfferUp Fees

Neither buyers nor sellers have to pay any fees for using OfferUp.

If you want to prioritize your offer, you will have to pay to use the Promote or Promote Plus options. Also, a one-month subscription to OfferUp Promote Plus costs only $19.99.

Since most scammers use personal checks, cashier’s checks, or other means to scam you, OfferUp advises you to only accept cash payments from buyers.

OfferUp also allows you to ship items to and accept payment from buyers outside your immediate area. OfferUp requires a payment of either $1.99 or 12% of the sale price to facilitate these transactions.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much You Can Earn with OfferUp?

The amount of money you can earn on OfferUp depends on the things you sell, the demand and supply for those things, and how fast you can sell them.

Who is OfferUp Best For?

People who want to sell everything from clothes to cars for free and make some extra cash should use OfferUp.

OfferUp Requirements

• Users are required to have a smartphone.
• They must be at least 13 years old.
• Users under 18 must use OfferUp under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

OfferUp Payout Terms and Options

The vast majority of OfferUp sellers prefer to be paid in cash.

However, OfferUp allows you to take payments directly through the app. If you choose this way, you will need to ship the product directly to the customer. OfferUp transfers the money within five business days after the item is delivered to the buyer.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is OfferUp a Scam or Legit?

Although OfferUp is not a scam, it cannot guarantee the safety of its users from fraud, as local, in-person transactions are the norm.

Both TrustPilot and sitejabber give the service an overall 1.2 out of 5 stars due to widespread complaints about security.

However, the ratings for the OfferUp app are a different story. 

Overall, users gave this app a rating of 3.9 on Google Play and 4.8 in the App Store. The vast majority of reviews praise these sites and emphasize how great it is that you can make money selling things on these sites. 

Without exception, the most common complaint was that they never received any help from the company.

The Disadvantage of OfferUp

The software does not handle the exchange of money between buyer and seller, so you should be prepared to use physical bills and coins. Compared to Craigslist, the app’s biggest drawback is the lack of an easy option for buyers to pay sellers electronically for purchased goods.

After a sale is completed, OfferUp does not take responsibility for any issues that may arise. There is no way to get your money back if there is a discrepancy or if there is a problem with the billing. However, shipping purchases are covered to a certain extent.

More information can be found on OfferUp’s website.

Most business transactions should go off without a hitch. Provided the customer has received clear information and fully understands the nature of the item being purchased.

This is why it is so important to have high quality pictures. If for some reason the photos do not do the item justice, be sure to mention that in the description. Then remind the buyer again.

My transactions on OfferUp have always resulted in a final price being agreed upon before meeting in person.

Payment is also collected through the OfferUp app when you ship the item. In a face-to-face transaction, you and the buyer must negotiate payment terms.

It’s possible that the buyer will show up and try to negotiate a lower price, but only if there are issues that you didn’t mention in the ad.

I’m not a good negotiator, so I always text the final price and ask the other person to pay it.

In most cases, I send the buyer the following text, “The final price is $100. When we meet, please have cash ready. You’re welcome to do so.

Everyone I’ve dealt with has been pleasant and honest, and no one has ever tried to haggle over the price of an item after seeing it in person. 

When making an OfferUp purchase or sale, OfferUp recommends that both parties use cash only.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How to Stay Safe When Using OfferUp?

Since the buyer and the customer are responsible for the exchange of money, it is important to take some precautions.

1. Use the app’s messaging feature to talk to buyers

Don’t leave the app to talk to others. It’s best not to give out your contact information (email, phone, and address).

Arrange a meeting with the buyer using the app’s chat function.

2. Meet during the day

Gather in a safe, well-travelled area. If I need a place to work, I go to Starbucks or some other busy place.

3. Reiterate that the buyer needs to bring cash

Stick with cash as your preferred payment method because it is the easiest. Stop accepting payments by check, money order, or wire transfer.

4. Vet the buyer

See if the buyer has bought or sold from OfferUp before, then check out the feedback and reviews on their profile page. Verified users are the ones I feel most comfortable with because they have both a real photo and feedback from previous transactions on the app.

5. Don’t ignore red flags

Trust your gut. Be suspicious of unusual messages or requests for payment you receive, because they could be from scammers.

If something smells suspicious, it probably is.

6. Don’t ever give out anything personal

If asked, never reveal sensitive financial information such as account numbers or home addresses. This is obvious advice for anyone buying or selling online.

How to Sign Up with OfferUp?

To sign up with OfferUp;

• Download the free OfferUp app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android, or visit the website.
• Sign in to the app by tapping . You can sign in using Facebook, Google, or Apple.
• Enter your name, email address, and a memorable password. Select Sign In. Then check your email and click the link in OfferUp’s verification email.
• Choose an account name.
• Check your phone number

OfferUp Pros

• Posting and selling your stuff is completely free.
• On the platform, you can view buyers’ reviews to see if they are trustworthy.
• The app is easy to use.
• There is an in-app messaging mechanism that helps buyers and sellers communicate more effectively.

OfferUp Cons 

• Since OfferUp does not screen buyers, there is a risk of being scammed.
• Inadequate customer service

OfferUp Support

Most questions can be answered by reviewing OfferUp’s help website and knowledge base, which includes a community, blog, and press section. If you have questions, you can also contact the company.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Alternative Sites to OfferUp

OfferUp vs. Decluttr

When it comes to getting rid of your old electronic devices, videos and books, the Decluttr app is a great option, while the OfferUp app is useful for selling pretty much anything, even clothes. 

OfferUp transfers the money to your account within five business days, while Decluttr values your stuff and makes the payout the next day. If you want to sell something, however, both services are suitable.

OfferUp vs. Swappa

Swappa is a website where you can trade in your used electronics for cash. 

While Swappa’s fee is included in the listing price and paid by the buyer at closing, OfferUp does not collect fees from sellers in the immediate area. A service fee, calculated as a percentage of the final sale price, is added to the shipping cost for sellers.

OfferUp vs. eBay

You can sell your used (or new) goods on eBay, which makes eBay one of the largest online marketplaces in the world. 

If you want to sell your items outside the United States, you must use eBay instead of OfferUp. Listing and selling fees on eBay are higher than those on OfferUp.

OfferUp FAQ

Can you get scammed on OfferUp?

OfferUp doesn’t verify its users, so you might fall victim to a scam. However, you can protect yourself by accepting only cash and no checks, credit cards or the like.

How do I accept payment on OfferUp?

The funds of the items shipped will be deposited into the bank account you specify on OfferUp. It is also strongly recommended that you only accept cash payments for all items that you personally sell.

Who pays for shipping on OfferUp?

Although shipping costs are often borne by the customer, you as the seller are responsible for including these costs in your final selling price. If you want expedited shipping, you must pay the cost yourself.

How do I cancel Promote Plus?

Just go to the App Store and do what it says. Cancelation instructions can be found in the Apple ID section of iTunes and the App Store.

How do I respond to offers on OfferUp?

Respond politely with your desired price or a counteroffer if you receive an offer that is below your acceptable limit.

OfferUp Review: Final Verdict

OfferUp is wonderful if you want to get rid of old items or items you no longer need, because it costs you nothing to list items for sale on the site. However, you should consider OfferUp’s marketing fees and the cost of ads if you want to use the platform for frequent sales.

There has been a lot of criticism of OfferUp in recent weeks, but the marketplace still has a large community of buyers and sellers. 

It’s probably safe to say that it’s worth a try, but be on the lookout for scammers and only do what OfferUp recommends to ensure your safety.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Best Alternative of OfferUp to Make Passive Income

If you want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online.

Affiliate Marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business. 

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.  

In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.

And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.

Wealthy Affiliate has existed for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade.

To give you more examples, here are some of the other inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has free and premium membership.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny. 

So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative