There are so many buy/sell apps out there and each app can provide the same sort of feature set. However, each app can provide a significantly different outcome and one app will probably do better than the other.

So to put an end to this debate about which app is the best buy/sell app, we put it out there. Polling more than 6000 people in the LA area, we asked which app has been the most successful for them; we also took safety, seamlessness, and overall item quality into consideration as well.

Without further ado, here are the 5 buy/sell apps in Los Angeles we analyzed:

1. TrueFlip - Overall Score: 9.37



Quick Sell: 9/10

Seamless Score: 10/10

Safety Score: 10/10

Item Quality Score: 8.5/10

TrueFlip is a brand new app that launched in April 2017 and it’s already changing how people sell in their area and online. They’re unique due to the fact that they eliminate the need to ship a box or meet a stranger. Once your item sells on Trueflip, they send a courier to pickup your item, inspect the item, and delivers it to the shopper in 2 days or less. For that alone, we gave them a straight 10/10 for safety and seamlessness.



A good chunk of people were reporting that their items were selling fairly quickly, so we put it to the test and we ended up selling 4 items within the same week, which was faster than the other marketplaces we posted on! However, there were 1 or 2 items that didn’t get any messages on there, but overall it was fast. 9/10 on the quick sell rating.



Most of the items on there appear to be new or slightly used, but there were some items that appeared to be worn. However, TrueFlip handles the item inspection based on the accuracy, so nothing really to complain about. The downside, no furniture is allowed, which is understandable because of the logistical nightmare with furniture. 8.5/10 in item quality score.



Overall, I can’t think of an experience like this one, they make it zero effort, zero stress when selling your stuff. The personal notes, stickers, and hand wrapping made it 100 times more magical. Def recommend to anyone selling their stuff!



Website: www.trueflipapp.com

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trueflip-sell-better-shop-safer-we-deliver/id1222146596?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trueflip.trueflipapp&hl=en

2. GOAT - Overall Score - 8.75



Quick Sell: 9/10



Seamless Score: 6/10

Safety Score: 10/10

Item Quality Score: 10/10

GOAT is an app that launched in 2015 and it’s created a whole new landscape on how people sell their sneakers on mobile. They are only focused on sneakers and the sneaker community. They have over a 100,000 shoes on their marketplace.



A big feature they have is called Authentication Service, which makes sure the shoes you buy are 100% legit! So we give them a 10/10 for item quality. They have a seller approval process, so expect there to be a 2 week to a few month delay before you can actually sell or list your shoes on GOAT. They take a look at things like your eBay account, Instagram, and other social media accounts to make sure you’re a safe seller. They earn a 10/10 for safety.



It takes a couple weeks before you get your shoe if you’re on the shopper side, because they have to take the time to authenticate. Plus the implications of sending it in via shipping label and the approval process takes a while.

So 6/10 for seamless score.



Overall, If you have high-end sneakers to sell, this is the best way to do it.





Website: https://www.goat.com/

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goat-buy-sell-sneakers/id966758561?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.airgoat.goat&hl=en

3. Facebook Marketplace - Overall Score - 7.0



Quick Sell: 6/10



Seamless Score: 5/10

Safety Score: 6/10



Item Quality: 7/10



Facebook Marketplace launched in Oct 2016 and it is their attempt to combat OfferUp and Craigslist.

People already buy/sell on Facebook, they just wanted to make it easier to do so with a marketplace.



The cool thing about this is that you can see your mutual friends with any seller and shopper, plus view their profiles. However, you still have to meet up with them and that still leaves room for bad actors even if they do have a facebook profile. We like the use of the social graph to increase safety however - 6/10 for safety.

They also offer temporary location sharing, which does help make the meetup process easier than Offerup or Craigslist. The fact that it is on the facebook app is a plus too! The implications of meeting up are still there and that’s really hard to combat without any logistics. A 5/10 for seamlessness. Overall, if you don’t mind meeting up with strangers, Facebook marketplace is a good option.





Website: www.facebook.com

iOS & Android: Facebook App

4. Offerup - Overall Score - 4.0



Quick Sell: 6/10



Seamless Score: 3/10

Safety Score: 3/10



Item Quality Score: 4/10



Offerup launched in 2011 and it pretty much made a Craigslist experience mobile. Offerup is really great for furniture, all other things you may not have much luck… however, you will get plenty of people messaging you! A 6/10 for quick sale! If we’re being honest, from the people we interviewed they indicated that furniture finds were great, but dealing with people on here was rough. They had a lot of experience with flakes, a tremendous amount of low-ballers, and people trying to pay with counterfeit cash. Safety and seamless score a 3/10.



Overall, if you need to buy/sell furniture Offerup is your best bet!



Website: https://offerup.com/

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/offerup-buy-sell-simple/id468996152?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.offerup&hl=en

5. Letgo - Overall Score - 3.25



Quick Sell: 4/10



Seamless Score: 2/10

Safety Score: 3/10



Item Quality Score: 4/10



Letgo launched in 2015 and they launched as a copycat of Offerup it seems. Offerup and Letgo have an extremely similar experience, but Offerup has more activity. However, poll results suggest that they do love Letgo’s design and branding more. You’ll find the same type of stuff in both marketplaces, but the good finds are usually the furniture. Item quality score 4/10.



Overall, Offerup and Letgo will have the same experience (in LA at least).





Website: https://us.letgo.com/en

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/letgo-buy-sell-secondhand/id986339882?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abtnprojects.ambatana&hl=en

Final Thoughts:

Based on the poll results it seems that TrueFlip and GOAT are for people who value saving time and effort + safety. Whereas, Offerup, Letgo, FB marketplace is for people who don’t mind making the extra effort to make a sale.



Ultimately, this is just the information we collected based on our survey results and own personal experience. We in no way mean to bash any one particular app or promote another! So next time you’re thinking about selling something or looking for something at a more discounted price consider any of these apps.



STACKED is a non-profit media site just bringing the honest truth about entertainment, tech, and fashion!