OfferUp is one of the largest US apps for buying and selling locally: furniture, electronics, tools, appliances, sports gear, cars and almost anything else. You post a photo, chat with buyers in the app and meet to complete the sale. It absorbed rival app Letgo in 2020, and in September 2025 it ended its nationwide shipping service, so it’s now a purely local marketplace.
At a glance
| What it is | A US app for local buying and selling |
| How you earn | Selling unwanted items or flipping goods locally |
| Selling fee | None on local sales |
| Listing limits | Free up to a monthly limit per category |
| Paid extras | Optional promotions to boost visibility |
| Where it works | US |
Fees and how it changed
OfferUp doesn’t charge selling fees on local sales, so you keep the full price the buyer pays. Since its shipping service ended on 23 September 2025, every sale on the app works this way. Listing is free up to a monthly limit, which is lower in some categories such as furniture. OfferUp makes money from optional paid promotions, such as bumping a listing, and from vehicle and business listings.
What sells well
Bulky or heavy items that are expensive to ship: furniture, appliances, exercise equipment, tools, bikes, outdoor gear and electronics. Local selling also suits items people want to see in person before buying.
Flipping as a side hustle
Many people use OfferUp to flip items: buying underpriced goods at garage sales, estate sales or on other apps, cleaning or repairing them, and reselling locally for more. Furniture refinishing, appliance repair and bike tune-ups are popular flipping niches. Because there are no selling fees, margins are easier to keep.
Staying safe
Meet in public places, ideally designated safe exchange zones such as police station lots. Bring someone with you for high-value sales, check payment before handing over items and be wary of buyers who want to pay in unusual ways. OfferUp’s TruYou identity verification and ratings help you judge buyers and sellers.
Writing listings that sell
Use clear photos from several angles, give dimensions and condition, and price slightly above your target to allow for haggling. Respond quickly, since local buyers often contact several sellers at once. Relist or refresh items that don’t move.
Getting started
Download the app, verify your profile with TruYou and list a few items you no longer need. Set a fair price based on similar listings nearby, and meet buyers safely to complete sales.
Shipping alternatives
If you have smaller items that would sell better to a nationwide audience, list them on a marketplace that still handles shipping, such as Poshmark for fashion or Etsy for vintage and handmade goods. Some sellers keep using OfferUp for local buyers and a shipping marketplace for everything else, so each item goes where it sells best.
Getting paid
With local sales, payment usually happens in person. Cash is simple, but count it before handing over the item. Many sellers also accept instant payment apps, though you should only accept payments that clear before the buyer leaves. Be cautious with buyers who ask to pay by cheque, overpay or send links to unfamiliar payment sites, as these are common scam patterns.
Pricing for local buyers
Local buyers expect to haggle, so leave room in your asking price. Look at what similar items have listed for nearby, and lower the price if an item gets views but no messages after a week.
Tracking results
Note what each item cost, its sale price and how long it took to sell, so you learn which flips are worth the effort.
Owen’s take
OfferUp is a solid, fee-free way to sell bulky items locally and a natural home for flipping furniture or gear. Losing shipping narrowed its reach, so for small items you’d rather post, use a shipping marketplace instead.
Who it suits
It suits US sellers with bulky items and local flippers. It suits less well sellers of small, shippable goods who want a nationwide audience.
Similar options
- Poshmark ships fashion nationwide.
- Curtsy is a fashion resale app with shipping labels.
- Etsy suits vintage and handmade goods.
- Grailed suits menswear.
More options are in Reselling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No fees on local sales
- Ideal for bulky items
- Identity verification and ratings
Cons
- Shipping ended in 2025
- Meeting buyers in person
- Monthly listing limits per category
FAQ
Does OfferUp charge fees?
Not on local sales. You keep the full price. Paid promotions are optional.
Does OfferUp still offer shipping?
No. OfferUp ended its nationwide shipping service on 23 September 2025.
What happened to Letgo?
Letgo merged into OfferUp in 2020.
How do I stay safe selling on OfferUp?
Meet in public, ideally at a safe exchange zone, and check payment before handing over items.
Can I sell cars on OfferUp?
Yes, though vehicle listings follow different rules and may carry fees.
