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OfferUp Etiquette
How to buy and sell on OfferUp without frustrating the other person.
How OfferUp is different
OfferUp has some built-in features that make the experience smoother than Craigslist or basic Facebook Marketplace:
- →User ratings and reviews — you can see how reliable a buyer or seller has been
- →Identity verification — TruYou badge indicates verified ID
- →Make Offer button — formal offer flow with accept/decline/counter
- →Shipping option — some items can be bought/sold with buyer protection via shipping
For buyers: messaging etiquette
The same rule applies here as everywhere: don't just ask "Is it available?" with no follow-up.
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"Available?" — no context, no intent, gets ignored
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"Hi! I'm interested—I can meet this week. Is the price negotiable?" — shows intent, opens conversation
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Use the Make Offer button with a specific dollar amount — cleaner and faster than negotiating in chat
For sellers: responding well
- →Respond to offers promptly—OfferUp ranks active sellers higher in search.
- →If you counter an offer, do it immediately—buyers move on fast.
- →Leave reviews for buyers after successful transactions to build your rating.
- →Mark items as sold as soon as they're gone—it keeps your profile clean and stops unnecessary messages.
Using the Make Offer feature
OfferUp's built-in offer system is cleaner than negotiating via chat. Tips for using it well:
- →Keep your offer within 20–25% of the asking price for realistic results
- →Add a message with your offer: "I can pick up this weekend" goes a long way
- →If declined, you can message to negotiate further or make a slightly higher offer
- →Sellers: if an offer is close but not quite, counter rather than declining—you might close the deal