Hunting for bargains has never been easier with the proliferation of mobile apps and digital platforms for online thrift shopping. Secondhand items are no longer limited to physical stores such as ukay-ukay shops and Cash Converter stores. With technological advancements, people can now sell or give away their preloved items online without incurring additional costs.
As a bargain hunter myself and an OFW, I conduct extensive research on the quality and value of secondhand items before making a purchase, especially for more expensive items. I consider several factors before making a decision, such as the retail price of the brand-new item, the longevity of the secondhand item, the seller’s location and travel costs, availability, and my own need for the item.
In this article, I will provide a rundown and honest review of the best apps for online thrift shopping in Singapore based on my personal experience. You may be surprised at the range of items available for sale, from the most common to the most unique!
Olio
Olio is a mobile app that connects neighbors within a community by allowing them to share, give away, borrow or lend items for free, with the aim of reducing household and food waste. The app enables individuals or companies, such as food retailers, restaurants, corporate canteens, and food photographers, to donate surplus food or household items on an ad-hoc or recurrent basis.
Olio was first launched in early 2015 by Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One and is now available in 49 countries worldwide, with over 6 million registered users as of June 2022. In Singapore, the app has gained popularity, with more than 100,000 Singaporean citizens using Olio to share surplus food and unwanted non-food goods as of March 2022.
One notable feature of Olio is its efficiency in facilitating the sharing of food and other items within the community. According to reports, more than half of all food listings added to Olio in Singapore are collected within half an hour, making it a convenient and practical option for those who wish to save on food costs and reduce food waste.
Overall, Olio is a great platform for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable community by sharing, giving away, or borrowing items for free. Its user-friendly interface, efficiency, and positive impact on the environment make it a worthwhile app to check out.
Overall rating: 8/10
App cost: Free, with optional paid supporter features.
Price range of listings: All of the items I’ve gotten through Olio have been free.
Quality of goods: I’ve received items in varying conditions, but overall most users are honest about the condition of the items they are giving away. I’ve also been able to get some great surplus food items.
Availability: Tons of listings posted daily, but items get reserved and picked up quickly, especially if they are in-demand or in good condition. Popular items, such as electronics or furniture, get reserved quickly, so it’s important to act fast if you’re interested in a particular item.
Accessibility: Items can be sorted by proximity, but transportation may be needed for farther locations. So, it’s important to consider transportation before requesting items.
Friendliness of the sellers: Most users I’ve interacted with have been friendly and responsive. However, I have had a few instances where users didn’t show up for pick-up. Olio’s report feature is helpful in blocking negative users.
App features: I appreciate the simple user interface of the app. The karma points system is a nice touch, but doesn’t have any practical use. I’ve had to contact customer support once and they were responsive and helpful.
Bonus tips!
Indicate a day and time for pick-up in your first message. Don’t request an item if you’re not 100% sure you can make it or if you don’t really want it.
While not all free items are in good condition or functioning, most users are honest about their product’s condition. If you have any doubts, you can always chat with the user and ask questions.
Keep in mind that good items get reserved and picked up quickly, so it pays to be patient and quick on your feet to score items in good working condition.
Carousell
Carousell is a popular smartphone and web-based marketplace that allows users to buy and sell new and secondhand goods. Originally founded in Singapore in 2012, Carousell has expanded to 10 other countries, including the Philippines, where it replaced the popular online marketplace, OLX (formerly known as Sulit.ph).
With over 10 million users worldwide and 250 million listings in 2012, Carousell continues to grow each year. As of 2019, there were approximately 2.8 million app downloads in Singapore alone.
Personally, I have been using Carousell for the past five years to sell my preloved clothes. After watching Marie Kondo’s Netflix series, I was inspired to declutter my house and found several pieces of clothing that I no longer used. At first, I tried selling them on Facebook groups, but I found it to be too messy and hard to track. Eventually, I switched to Carousell and started earning extra income by selling my used items. Over the years, I have sold hundreds of items on the app, and even after moving to Singapore as an OFW, I still continue to publish listings from time to time.
Aside from selling, I have also started purchasing items from other users on the app. The variety of items available on Carousell is impressive, ranging from preloved clothing to electronic gadgets, furniture, and even cars. The app’s search feature allows me to find what I’m looking for quickly, and the chat function enables easy communication with sellers.
Overall rating: 9/10
App cost: Downloading the app and listing is free on Carousell. Payment for listing, advertising, and other features are made via Carousell coins.
Price range of listings: Pricing differs based on the condition and rarity of the item. Negotiations are possible, and some items are listed as free. I found quality items at a fraction of the original price, but some listings can be misleading.
Quality of goods: The quality of items is dependent on the seller’s honesty and photos. High-cost items like luxury bags require extra caution. Some sellers are honest about item condition and issues, but some try to conceal flaws until after a purchase is made.
Availability: A large variety of items are available for purchase, including luxury items and concert tickets. Confirming purchases can take time due to haggling and comparing with other listings.
Accessibility: Mailing, delivery, and meet-ups are all possible delivery options. Most transactions are conducted via MRT meet-ups or collection from the seller’s place.
Friendliness of the sellers: While there is a chance of encountering rude sellers, most are friendly.
App features: The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. The filters are customizable, and the review system adds credibility to sellers. Payment methods include DBS PayLah!, PayNow, and Carousell Protection for more secure transactions.
Bonus tips!
I’ve found some great deals on high-quality items by buying preloved items in excellent condition. For example, I recently purchased a pair of Vans sneakers on Carousell for only $30-$50, even though they typically retail for around $120. It’s been exciting to score such great deals! I’ve also discovered the “to bless” section on Carousell, where people give away items for free. However, it’s important to read the description carefully, as some items listed as “free” may actually have a price or require bidding.
When buying items on Carousell, it’s important to keep in mind that some sellers may not disclose any issues or flaws with the product. To avoid any surprises, always ask for photos and request to check the item in person before making any payments, especially for high-cost items like luxury bags, gadgets, laptops, bicycles, furniture, and electronics. This will give you a chance to inspect the item thoroughly and ensure that it’s in the condition that you expect before making a purchase.
One great thing about shopping on Carousell is that you can often find amazing deals on items you’re looking for. As a cycling enthusiast, my husband always checks the app for good bicycles, bike parts, and cycling outfit deals before he looks anywhere else. If you’re also into cycling or just looking for some good deals, keep an eye out for our upcoming blog post where we’ll be sharing some pro tips on finding the best preloved bikes and bike parts on Carousell.
Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups have become a hub for online thrift shopping and e-commerce. The Marketplace feature allows users to buy and sell items with ease, but it can be overwhelming and complicated at times. Fortunately, there are other ways to shop on Facebook, like Facebook pages and groups. Facebook groups have become a community of their own, with niche groups that make it easy to find specific items. For instance, you can find rental listings for OFWs in Facebook groups like “Pinoy Room for Rent in Singapore.” Similarly, there are many niche Facebook groups in Singapore for online thrift shopping like “Expats Leaving Singapore Selling Goods”, where you can find second-hand items and brand new goods for sale. Stay tuned for a separate blog post on this topic!
In the meantime, here’s a review of my experience with niche Facebook groups for online thrift shopping.
Overall rating: 6/10
App cost: Facebook Groups is a free feature within the social media platform.
Price range of listings: Listings on Facebook Groups can be quite costly, especially for branded and luxury items. However, there are also some small items that are given away for free. But I was lucky to find this portable white noise machine for my baby for only $25 (retails at $60 on Amazon).
Quality of goods: The quality of the goods on Facebook Groups is excellent, but the prices are high.
Availability: The best deals on Facebook Groups sell out very quickly.
Accessibility: The transaction process is flexible, and you can agree on the best way to get the item with the seller.
Friendliness of the sellers: People on Facebook Groups are generally friendly.
App features: The Facebook Groups interface is not suited for e-commerce, and it can be difficult to track down your chats with sellers. It is also harder to find comments and replies compared to other online marketplaces.
In conclusion, online thrift shopping is a practical and sustainable way to shop for second-hand items in Singapore, especially for OFWs. With the rise of various online platforms like Olio, Carousell, and Facebook groups, it’s now easier to find and buy pre-loved items at affordable prices. Each app has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s up to the individual’s preference to choose which platform suits their needs best. Whether it’s for practical reasons or environmental concerns, online thrift shopping is a great way to save money and reduce waste.
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