Upfront summary: Is Offerup worth it? 

Offerup is a safe and secure site where users can buy and sell a myriad of different products. The site uses multiple safeguards to ensure the process is a safe and enjoyable experience for those wishing to buy or sell various products.

Within the Offerup app, users can interact with each other knowing their information is not displayed or given out. All transactions must stay within the site or app, as Offerup does not guarantee the safety or security of any business dealings done off-site. If a transaction feels off, don’t do it! As with any buy or sell site, the user must use do-diligence and common sense to ensure their continued safety. 

Buy-sell sites like Offerup are a popular option for those who want to sell their unused items or find products they’ve been looking to buy, often at significant discounts. But is this the safest way to go about that? This article will give a rundown on whether Offerup is genuinely a safe option to meet users’ needs. 

Offerup Company Information 

Official Website: https://offerup.com/
Founded: 7/08/2013
Owner: Nick Huzar, Arean Van Veelan
Location: 1745 114th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States
Customer Service Contact: Phone: +844 633 3787; E-mail: support@offerupnow.com; Tweet: @offerupsupport
Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

What Is Offerup? 

Offerup is an online marketplace that allows users to buy and sell different goods. Created as a direct competitor to Craigslist, Offerup has gained immense popularity and now boasts over 85 million users. The majority of the items are second-hand, but new items are also listed.

Working as a third-party site, Offerup allows users to buy and sell in a relatively secure environment. Although there are always risks involved in these sites, Offerup utilizes various safeguards to help ensure each user’s personal information is secure. Whether the goal is to find rare, unique items no longer being produced or to sell the excess clutter in your home, Offerup gives a platform to do it.

To ensure the best experience, all users should be wary of all products offered. If buying, always contact the seller and ask plenty of questions to establish the item is legit. Don’t ever take the transaction off-site, and if you have a bad gut feeling with the way the seller is acting or talking, don’t follow through with the sale. The same goes for the seller. If the buyer seems off or is asking suspicious questions, stop all contact. Being a self-advocate will help make your experience with Offerup safe and successful. 

>>MORE: Do Acorns Pay Off? How Reputable & Secure Are They Actually?

Is Offerup Legal And Safe Or A Scam 

Offerup is an entirely legal site serving only the United States at this time. The chance of being scammed is a little complicated. The actual site offers many safeguards to ensure the personal information of all users is kept safe and secure; however, they do not guarantee the products sold on the site are 100% authentic. The chance of being scammed is higher for receiving a fake item than having your identity stolen. There are virtually no complaints of viruses or malware using the app or site, nor have there been complaints posted on sensitive data stolen when used correctly. When it comes to reporting fake sites claiming to be legit, it’s hard to identify them since they disappear as quickly as they pop up. Always do research when choosing an online forum that requires a financial transaction, and choose one that is well known and has been in business a long time. 

>>MORE: Artfire: Is It Real? How Trustworthy & Safe Are They Actually?

Is Offerup Reliable And Trustworthy? 

Although Offerup offers many different security protections, it still focuses on transactions between strangers. This creates many opportunities for negative experiences. Overall the ratings for Offerup are horrible, with the number one complaint being fraudulent posts, followed by customer service. Here are five ratings from independent sites: 

  • BBB – 1.08 / 5 (193 ratings) 
  • TrustPilot – 1.2 / 5 (1,079 ratings) 
  • SiteJabber – 1.27 / 5 (630 ratings) 
  • Foul Speakers – 1.9 / 5 (3,348 ratings) 
  • GlassDoor – 3.5 / 5 (136 ratings) 

Offerup offers multiple buyer protection services to its users. Firstly, it utilizes TruYou, an online verification service specializing in creating a safe interaction with buyers and sellers. TruYou requires the use of state-issued IDs, a verifiable cell phone number, and a selfie taken inside the app. There are also Law Enforcement Resources to protect against violations of intellectual property. Compared to positive, the amount of scam reports on Offerup is substantially higher. Due to the nature of the site, it is easy for inexperienced or unsuspecting people to get scammed. Vigilance is necessary for all transactions.

>>MORE: Wayfair: Is It Legit? How Trustworthy & Safe Are They Actually?

Offerup Shipping Info 

Once an item is purchased, the seller has three days to ship it. If the item has not shipped within three days, the offer is canceled automatically. The cost of shipping is determined at checkout and does not show to the buyer before the sale. The seller’s chosen guidelines for the item’s size at the time of listing determine the shipping cost. Once a transaction is complete, the seller receives a prepaid label that includes shipment tracking, accessible through the shipping company. Presently, Offerup ships only to the continental United States, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and Arkansas. 

>>MORE: Wish: Is It Legit? How Trustworthy & Safe Are They?

Does Offerup Have Good Customer Service? 

The number one complaint on all review sites is in regards to Offerup’s customer service. Firstly, there is no phone number to reach a customer service representative, and the customer can only send an email. Numerous people have said the email generates an automatic general response, not a live person handling the inquiry. The response time to an email seems to be incredibly slow, with some users reporting multi-year waits. Secondly, customers have reported having to take to social media to get the companies attention and garner action. The process was lengthy, and even with photographic proof of the problem, getting it resolved was difficult. Offerup’s customer service does not seem concerned with assisting the customers in any way. 

>>MORE: Is Romwe reputable? Are They Actually That Safe & Reliable?

How To Cancel An Order On Offerup 

The only way to cancel an order on Offerup is through the app; they do not allow you to cancel on the website. If the buyer purchases a product from a verified shop, they cannot cancel an order. If the order is through a community seller, the buyer has 24 hours to cancel before the seller accepts. If the seller accepts the order before that, it is no longer possible to cancel. Note* Any orders not accepted by a seller within 24 hours will be automatically canceled. The buyer cannot cancel orders purchased with the “Buy Now” tab. 

>>MORE: Mercari: Is It Real? How Trustworthy & Safe Are They Actually?

Does Offerup Have Promo/ Discount Codes? 

Yes! Offerup does offer both promo and discount codes! It also provides referral codes and rewards. Sellers can also provide promos to buyers unique to their listings. Online searches can reveal the various codes that are active, but many are hit or miss. 

>>MORE: Is LightInTheBox Genuine? Are They Safe?

Does Offerup Have A Return Policy?

To request a return and refund on Offerup, the buyer must use the app. If the purchased item was from a community seller, the buyer has two days to request a refund. They then have two days to file a claim if the seller has not responded. If the seller accepts the request, the buyer 

has six days to re-ship the item using a prepaid label. The process is the same for items purchased in a verified shop. 

>>MORE: Can you trust Lens.com? Are They Actually That Safe & Reliable?

Offerup Payment Methods 

Payment for shipped items is accepted only in the Offerup app. Payments include: 

  • Major credit/ debit cards ( Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express ) – JCB 
  • Diners Club 
  • Apple Pay 

>>MORE: Can You Trust Aliexpress? How trustworthy and safe are they?

Pros & Cons Of Offerup 

The pros of Offerup are as follows: 

  • Large selection of different items 
  • Great deals available 
  • Nationwide shipping 
  • App for ease of use 

The cons of Offerup are as follows: 

  • Unreliable customer service 
  • High likelihood to receive fake/ fraudulent products 
  • The website does not accept payments, must use a smartphone 

>>MORE: Poshmark: Is It Real? How Trustworthy & Safe Are They?

Offerup Careers 

Offerup is a relatively small company which makes the job market very competitive. Employees give Offerup a 3.5 / 5 star approval rating and generally seem very happy to work there. There are currently only 21 job openings, mostly in skill-specific categories, making getting a job working for the company relatively hard. 

>>MORE: Is Green Man Gaming Trusted? How Trustworthy & Safe Are They?

Best Offerup Alternatives

Due to its low approval ratings, customers may want to seek alternatives to Offerup. As always, the customer must be careful not to give any personal information, and if the transaction seems off, end it immediately. Here are a few options: 

  • Facebook Marketplace 
  • Craigslist 
  • Gumtree 
  • eBay 

>>MORE: Can You Trust Fanatics? Are They Trustworthy & Safe Enough?

Additional FAQ’S 

I would like to deactivate my Offerup account. Can I do that? 

Yes! Deactivating an Offerup account is easy. Simply go to Account Deactivation, select the reason for leaving, and click Deactivate. 

I want to sell an item on Offerup. How do I get paid? 

Getting paid is easy on Offerup. Once you have accepted an offer, you print a label and ship the product. The buyer has two days to accept or request a refund after the item is delivered. After two days, your payment is released and will post to your account within five business days. 

Does Offerup cater to any other languages? 

No, Offerup is only available in English.