Online Marketplaces for Buying and Selling Secondhand Items

By: Marshall Edden Last updated: 10/30/2024

(Image via Adobe Stock / Achira22)

Secondhand marketplaces have become the go-to places for finding everything from vintage furniture to gently used electronics. These platforms make buying and selling pre-owned items more convenient than ever. Taking part in this process not only saves money but also reduces waste by giving items a new life. The variety of online marketplaces available today means there’s a platform that matches your needs. Some marketplaces specialize in specific categories, while others are a one-stop shop for almost anything. Below, we’ll explore some of the best platforms for buying and selling secondhand items, highlighting their standout features and what they excel at.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is perfect for local transactions and casual sellers. Integrated directly into Facebook, it allows users to quickly list items to sell or browse through local offers. The platform doesn’t charge transaction fees for most sales, making it even more appealing to both buyers and sellers.

What sets it apart is the convenience of tying postings to your existing Facebook account. Most buyers feel more secure knowing they can see a seller’s public profile before making a deal. The chat feature, which uses Facebook Messenger, also simplifies communication between users. Everything from baby clothes to used cars can be found, making it incredibly versatile for secondhand shopping.

Selling on Facebook Marketplace is as easy as snapping a picture of the item, writing a short description, and setting a price. Local listings dominate most categories, so it’s an excellent option for large or heavy items like furniture. For smaller items, buyers and sellers often negotiate pickup details directly, saving on shipping costs.

Key Features:

Local listings with easy in-person transactions.
No transaction fees for most sales.
Integrated messaging system for smooth communication.

eBay

eBay is the original online marketplace and has been connecting buyers and sellers globally since the 1990s. Known for its auction-style listings, eBay also supports “Buy It Now” options for faster transactions. It’s a great platform for rare, collectible, or niche items that may not have a local demand.

The platform truly shines for sellers looking to reach an international audience. Shipping support and seller protection tools make it incredibly user-friendly, even for beginners. Buyers can find competitive pricing by bidding on auctions, which can sometimes lead to snagging items for much less than their retail value.

eBay charges a final value fee, typically a percentage of the total sale price, including shipping costs. This may deter some sellers, but the platform’s global reach is often worth the cost.

Key Features:

Auction and instant-buy options available.
Global audience for niche and collectible items.
Seller protections and tools, such as tracking features.

Craigslist

Craigslist is practically a household name for local buying and selling. The simplicity of the platform is what makes it so attractive. There are no fees, no fancy algorithms, and no profiles. You simply post a listing with some photos and wait for interested buyers to contact you.

The site is perfect for selling bulky items like furniture or appliances, as it focuses on local pickup. Many users appreciate the no-frills nature of Craigslist, but it’s worth noting that the platform doesn’t offer built-in protections for transactions. Users need to exercise caution when meeting buyers or sellers in person.

Key Features:

Completely free to use.
Best for local, bulky items.
Simple posting format without membership requirements.

Mercari

Mercari strikes a balance between local marketplaces and larger platforms with nationwide shipping. Designed with ease of use in mind, the app lets sellers create listings within minutes. The platform handles shipping logistics, making the process seamless for both parties.

Buyers often turn to Mercari for clothing, household items, and tech gadgets. One of its standout features is the option for discounted shipping, which attracts budget-conscious users. Mercari does charge a small selling fee, but the convenience of its streamlined process makes up for it.

For sellers, Mercari offers price-drop recommendations to help items sell faster. Listings are automatically promoted in categories to improve visibility.

Key Features:

Simplifies the shipping process for sellers.
Promotions and price-drop tools help items sell quickly.
Great for tech gadgets and clothing.

Poshmark

Poshmark caters specifically to fashion enthusiasts, making it the ideal marketplace for buying and selling used clothing, shoes, and accessories. The app’s user-friendly layout and vibrant community feel like shopping from a boutique rather than a secondhand store. Both buyers and sellers value its smooth transaction process.

What sets Poshmark apart are the features that encourage social interaction. Users can share favorite listings, create “closets,” and follow other users with similar styles. Trust-building tools like tracking numbers and payment protection make it a reliable platform for fashion-forward shoppers.

The platform takes a 20% commission, which is higher than some competitors, but many sellers find that listing higher-quality clothing offsets this cost.

Key Features:

Specialized in clothing and fashion accessories.
Offers social sharing features to boost visibility.
Includes buyer and seller protections for worry-free shopping.

OfferUp

OfferUp is designed for casual, local buying and selling, similar to Craigslist but with a more modern interface. It focuses primarily on app users, making it a go-to platform for smartphone users who prefer an app-based experience. OfferUp makes uploading and browsing listings simple and fast.

Users can rate each other after transactions, creating a trust system that attracts more reliable buyers and sellers. The platform emphasizes local pickup but also supports nationwide shipping for certain categories.

One feature that makes OfferUp unique is the ability to promote your listings within the app. Paid boosts give items better visibility in search results, making it easier to sell quickly.

Key Features:

Fast and simple app-based platform.
Rating system for building trust.
Optional listing promotions increase visibility.

Depop

Depop combines online shopping with social media, offering a creative space for younger users to buy and sell secondhand clothes. Many sellers hand-pick or upcycle items, giving the app a curated, trendy feel. Depop has quickly become known for its vintage and streetwear focus.

The app’s visually driven layout mimics social platforms like Instagram. Users scroll through photos, like listings, and interact with sellers in ways that mirror social media behaviors. Buyers looking for unique, stylish items often find Depop to be their marketplace of choice.

Depop charges a 10% commission on sales, which is manageable given its niche focus and younger demographic.

Key Features:

Focus on vintage and streetwear.
Social media-driven layout with interaction features.
Great for finding unique, handpicked items.

ThredUp

ThredUp is unique because it functions more like a secondhand store than a traditional marketplace. Sellers send their unwanted clothes to ThredUp, where the company photographs, lists, and ships items on their behalf. It’s a highly convenient option for people who don’t have time to take photos or manage sales themselves.

Buyers turn to ThredUp for brand-name clothing at a fraction of retail prices, and the app’s sorting filters make browsing easy. The platform is particularly strong in offering curated collections and brands, making it feel like an eco-friendly alternative to department stores.