Compare pros and cons of letgo vs OfferUp, from convenience and ease-of-use to which app has more potential buyers for your products.
Long before the debate between using letgo vs.OfferUp was even an issue, selling on Craigslist was the go-to source for selling extra stuff using online classifieds.
But over the past few years, the website has run into its fair share of problems, ranging from scams to issues arising during arranged meetups.
Due to the string of problems associated with Craigslist, there has been an increase in alternative selling apps.
This is where apps like letgo and OfferUp come in.
If you're looking to sell things in an online marketplace to make money, you may be curious about which platform is best.
Today, we're here to provide you with a comparison between both platforms, so you can choose which you should use to sell stuff online.
Letgo is a website and a smartphone app that allows you to buy and sell new and used stuff in the United States.
The letgo app is free for iOS and Android users.
The company's website says that it wants to make “secondhanding” more accessible and fun.
More than 100 million people have downloaded the letgo app.
The company says that it takes safety and security very seriously.
The user profiles of both buyers and sellers are verified with reviews and ratings.
Letgo verifies accounts through users' Google or Facebook profiles.
Unlike with Craiglist, people can’t remain anonymous.
You should have no problem seeing who you're talking to and what others have to say about their experience dealing with that individual.
This is likely one of the reasons why there is far less spam on letgo than Craiglist.
Additionally, letgo makes it a point to block inappropriate content.
The company installed a machine learning mechanism that automatically weeds out content that's inappropriate.
The company's goal is to create a communal feel for users.
Letgo is set up locally, similar to Craigslist.
Because everything is local, you don't have to worry about having to ship a product as is often the case when dealing with alternative selling sites like Amazon and eBay.
People can buy and sell a wide array of items on the site.
The app is quite visual.
Not only can sellers post photos of the products they have for sale, but they can also share videos.
Another option for selling stuff online is OfferUp.
OfferUp, much like letgo, acts as a virtual garage sale, allowing you to buy and sell products locally.
Although the two apps are similar, OfferUp is considerably smaller.
There are roughly 42 million unique users on the OfferUp app, which could potentially limit how many people can buy your product.
Where OfferUp stands out compared to letgo is ease of use.
Sellers can post OfferUp offers in as little as 30 seconds.
Additionally, both buyers and sellers have profiles that include ratings.
OfferUp relies on its e-commerce customer base to rate buyers and sellers, holding one another accountable.
Like letgo, OfferUp requires users to identify themselves.
They can do so through their Facebook profile, phone number, email, or ID.
OfferUp's website says that the company values trust and seeks to put its buyers and sellers first.
The three core values in the company's code of conduct are to be neighborly, ethical, and proactive.
https://youtu.be/NiiJKEniJAM
If you're ready to sell items on letgo, you'll need to start by downloading the company's app to your smartphone.
Although you can browse products online, you will need the app to make purchases.
Once you download the mobile app, create an account.
Doing so entails providing your email, creating a password, and uploading a photo of yourself.
You'll then need to verify your information with either Google or Facebook.
Letgo allows you to log in via Google or Facebook if you'd rather streamline this process.
Once you verify your account, you can start browsing other listings.
Start by browsing listings in your area similar to the product you're trying to sell.
This will give you a better idea of the price point you should be targeting.
Overcharging for a product could limit your pool of potential buyers.
Then you'll need to upload photos of the product you're trying to sell.
You can either upload a photo you've taken previously or use the letgo app to take pictures.
Set your price, and add a description of what you're selling.
The description can be up to 1,500 words.
One of the unique features of letgo is that you can also share it to Facebook Marketplace as well.
Letgo maintains your privacy when doing so.
You can't add personal information such as:
Instead, any interested buyers from third-party sources like Facebook Marketplace will communicate with you via the Letgo app.
Once you're ready to post your ad, click "Done."
It can take up to 40 minutes to see your listing appear.
Once your listing is up, you're allowed to edit it in case of any changes.
Additionally, you can communicate with buyers in the app directly, negotiating prices, answering questions, and arranging meet-up locations.
When you reach an agreement to sell your product, it's up to you to receive payment.
Letgo does not facilitate the payment process.
The company recommends that you use cash or PayPal since payment options like credit cards, personal checks, and wire transfers are preferred methods of scammers.
https://youtu.be/Uarcvp2bQvE
Just like letgo, you'll need to download the OfferUp app to your cell phone to start using the platform.
The app is available in both the Apple and Android app stores.
Upon downloading the app, you'll need to enter your zip code and click the camera to upload an ID.
The process is significantly more straightforward if you log in via Facebook.
Unfortunately, there are no alternative forms of social media that you can use to login.
When you're ready to begin selling, you'll want to take a picture of your product and upload it to your listing.
OfferUp lets you upload up to five photos per listing.
Then add a title, description, and asking price for the product.
OfferUp allows you to indicate whether you're "firm on price."
If you're set on receiving a particular amount for your product, selecting this option will reduce the number of potential buyers messaging you looking to negotiate.
After filling out those necessary fields, you're ready to post your product.
As mentioned, your listing will be active in as little as 30 seconds.
Like with letgo, you can upload your listing to the Facebook Marketplace app as well.
If a buyer is interested, they can message you in the app directly.
You can see the buyer's profile rating as well to help ensure legitimacy.
One of the other things that sets OfferUp apart is that you can receive in-app payments.
Buyers can pay in the app directly using a credit card.
This is a relatively new feature, but OfferUp intends to roll it out in more of its products.
The site still recommends that you accept cash payments when meeting in person.
When deciding where to sell your product, choosing the right platform can be challenging.
When comparing letgo vs. OfferUp, we find that both are useful.
It just depends on what you’re looking for.
While both platforms verify users, only OfferUp has profile ratings.
Being able to see a buyer's or seller's rating can put your mind at ease before completing a transaction.
If you’ve had bad selling experiences in the past, you may want to consider using OfferUp.
They also have superior customer service, and you could potentially accept in-app credit card payments.
Also, although both platforms require an Android or iPhone to use the app, we feel that the OfferUp app was a bit more streamlined and easier to use.
Your listing is live in as little as 30 seconds, compared to the 40 minutes of letgo.
So if you’re looking to push products quickly, OfferUp could be a better bet.
However, one of the main differentiators of letgo vs. OfferUp is how many potential customers you could reach.
Letgo has more than twice as many users as OfferUp, increasing your buyer pool significantly.
There are plenty of platforms available online for you to buy or sell goods.
If you're looking to make some money on the side and get rid of the products sitting around your house that you no longer need, selling them online is a great way to do so.
If you're comparing letgo vs. OfferUp, both have perks to offer depending on what interests you the most as a seller.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that posting listings in multiple places could be beneficial, increasing the number of people who see your product and the likelihood of it selling quickly.
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