In recent years, Wallapop has become one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling second-hand goods among its users. Although this is a Spanish company, it is already present in several international markets and is still growing.
How to purchase a product on Wallapop
The great advantage of this app is that it allows users to sell things they no longer need or whose value has increased, giving the option to other individuals to buy products at bargain prices or items that are no longer for sale. Below, you will see in detail how to buy on Wallapop so that you can also take advantage of the benefits offered by the platform.
How to buy safely on Wallapop
Wallapop is a platform for buying and selling between its users. This implies that buying or selling through this app has its risks. However, these risks can be reduced by applying certain precautions. Specifically, the main shopping tips given by Wallapop to users are as follows:
- Do not send money outside Wallapop, as only payments made through the platform are protected.
- Never give your details to the seller (not even the shipping address), as they do not need them.
- Do not trust suspiciously low prices or ads with photos that look fake. Also, be wary of images that look like catalog photos (you can always do a reverse Google image search).
- Do a little research on the seller before making a purchase. Seniority, ratings, other products for sale, and profile verification are factors to consider.
- Do not send money in advance.
- Use Wallapop's internal chat to communicate with the seller and make all the arrangements.
- Never reveal your password.
How to buy on Wallapop safely
Also, keep in mind that Wallapop will never contact you via chat. Moreover, the platform only uses @wallapop.com emails.
How to search for products on Wallapop
Searching for products on Wallapop is very easy, although finding what you are looking for can be more complicated. To get started, you can enter one or more words in the search box and refine the results with the following filters:
- Category.
- Location.
- Price.
- Product condition (new, like new, in good condition, in acceptable condition, or "has seen better days").
- Date of publication of the product.
How to search and find products on Wallapop
In addition, you can also enable location permissions so that Wallapop will show you the products for sale closest to your location. Also, if you prefer, you can search for products by category, such as cars, fashion and accessories, real estate, smartphones, sports and leisure, computers and electronics, cinema, books and music, and more.
How to pay for a Wallapop purchase
Wallapop has an internal system featuring a protection policy when making payments. There are several payment method options:
- Wallet (when you have a balance).
- Bank card.
- PayPal.
- Apple Pay.
How to pay for a purchase on Wallapop
It is also possible to make mixed payments. For example, you can pay by card and wallet. In any case, Wallapop retains the money and does not give it to the seller until the buyer confirms receipt of the product. What is not recommended is to make payments in person because then you will not have the protection policy of Wallapop.
How to receive the products purchased on Wallapop
Okay, now let's show you how to get your products. At first, the buyer had to meet the seller in person. However, Wallapop currently offers three options to receive your purchases:
- In person.
- Delivery to a pickup point.
- Delivery to your address.
In other words, you no longer need to meet the seller in person. Let's look at these alternatives separately, with their pros and cons.
Meet the seller in person
Meeting the seller in person is the classic and most economical option, as there are no extra fees or shipping costs. This is a good alternative if you are in the same city as the seller and do not mind meeting a stranger.
How to meet the vendor in person
However, many people are uncomfortable with this system. Fortunately, most sellers also offer shipping.
Shipping products between individuals
The platform does not offer a person-to-person delivery system for privacy reasons. Instead, we can leverage Wallapop Shipping, as we will see below.
Wallapop Shipping: how does it work, and how much does it cost
Wallapop Shipping is the most convenient option for buying and selling between individuals in different cities and for those buyers who do not wish to meet in person with the sellers. There are two shipping options: pickup point and delivery to your address.
Wallapop Shipping: how it works and how much it costs
Pickup point delivery is slightly cheaper than home delivery, although you have to pay the Wallapop Protection fee for both services, which is about USD 1.83, depending on the country. Home delivery costs range from 3.79USD to 17.89USD, while costs for delivery to a pickup point range from 2.59USD to 15.72USD, depending on the product's weight, although rates may vary from country to country.
Wallapop Shipping: home delivery option
It is also important to note that the seller never sees the buyer's address. Instead, they receive a code to protect the users' privacy. Once the purchase is shipped, you will receive it within three to eight business days.
How to cancel a purchase on Wallapop
The buyer cannot cancel a purchase on Wallapop. The option to cancel the transaction is only available to the seller within the Sales section. The button to use this feature is the one that reads Cancel Shipment, but it disappears after the shipping company receives the product. When a transaction is canceled, all the money paid is automatically refunded to the buyer to the payment method used without any penalties.
How to cancel a purchase on Wallapop
However, when you receive the product, you have 48 hours to check its condition. Only then could you claim as a buyer.
