If you’re relocating for only a short duration, you may not want to go out and spend thousands of dollars on new furniture, a bike, or a television.
Well, there is good news! Online marketplaces like Kijiji, Craigslist, and Lespac, offer person-to-person classifieds for all sorts of household. These online marketplaces in Canada are fantastic if you are moving into a new place and need a few things, if you’re moving out and trying to shed some unneeded items, or if you could use some extra cash.
How do online marketplaces in Canada work?
When you have goods or services you want to sell, all it takes is logging into the desired website and creating an account. Next, you can go ahead and make a post advertising whatever it is you have for sale. Be sure to create the post under the correct category of goods or services, so you reach your target audience. It’s a good idea to use pictures in your post, and be reasonable with price, because people love a good deal. Don’t feel obligated to respond to someone you don’t trust. Never use your personal email or phone number. For your safety, the website will give you a generated email address.
The same guidelines work for purchasing. Simply send a reply to the advertisement for something you’re interested in buying, and wait for the seller to reply.
What to be aware of with online marketplaces in Canada:
- If someone wants to pay you with a certified check or through PayPal, or if he/she seems overzealous (for instance, offering you more money than you asked for, without asking to first see the item) it is probably a scam. Accepting only cash or money order is a good idea, because it avoids the need to share banking or credit card information. This will protect you from potential theft.
- If you are unsure whether or not to trust a seller, try using Google.com to search for their name. Scammers often use the same name and story.
- If you have someone coming to look at something, or if you are going to look at something, take another person else with you. At the very least, tell someone where you are going and at what time. It’s a rare occurrence that something goes wrong, but better safe than sorry.
To check out our three recommended online marketplaces in Canada, visit Lespac (only offered in French), Kijiji and Craigslist.
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