The messaging feature lets you securely chat with other users on OfferUp. Use it to ask questions about a listing, make an offer, start a conversation, or manage your inbox.
Note
For advice on writing better messages, see Tips for messaging.
Access your messages
To view your existing messages:
1. Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
2. On the Home page, tap Inbox in the bottom navigation bar.
3. View your available message threads.
1. Visit OfferUp.com and log in to your account.
2. On the Home page, click Inbox in the top navigation bar.
3. Click View All Messages to go to your Inbox.
Send a message
There are a few ways to start a conversation, depending on what you're trying to do.
Ask a question about a listing
If you have questions before buying an item, message the seller using the Ask feature.
1. Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
2. On the Home page, tap on a listing you’re interested in.
3. On the listing page, tap Ask.
4. In the message field, type a message or select a suggested message, then tap Send.
1. Visit OfferUp.com and log in to your account.
2. On the Home page, click on a listing you're interested in from the feed.
3. On the listing page, click Ask.
4. In the New Message field, type a message or select a suggested message, then click Send.
Your message appears in the seller's inbox immediately and you’ll be notified when they reply.
Make an offer
If you're ready to buy, send the seller an offer using the Make Offer feature.
1. Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
2. On the Home page, tap on a listing you're interested in from the feed.
3. On the listing page, tap Make Offer.
4. Enter your offer price, then tap Make Offer to send it to the seller.
1. Visit OfferUp.com and log in to your account.
2. On the Home page, click on a listing you're interested in from the feed.
3. On the listing page, click Make Offer.
4. Enter your offer price, then click Make Offer to send it to the seller.
The seller will receive your offer as a message and can accept, decline, or counter.
Start a new chat
Mobile app only.
You can send a chat request from your inbox or from someone's profile page. They must accept the request before a conversation starts. Here's how:
- Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
- Tap a listing, then tap the seller's profile picture.
- On the Profile page, tap Start a Chat.
- Type your message, then tap Send.
They will see your request under Requests in their inbox. Nothing further happens on your end until they respond — see the next section for what they'll do.
Manage a new chat request
Mobile app only.
If someone sends you a chat request, you choose one of three outcomes. Here's how:
- Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
- On the Home page, tap Inbox in the bottom navigation bar.
- At the top of your Inbox, tap Requests.
- Tap on a new chat request, then select from the following options:
- Accept: Starts the conversation; you can now reply normally.
- Block: Declines the request and prevents this user from messaging you again. See Block or report a user below.
- Report User: Flags the user to OfferUp for review. See Block or report a user below.
If you accept their request, you'll get push notifications for new messages from this person going forward. Learn more about push notifications.
Reply to a message
To reply to a message, complete the following steps.
- Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
- On the Home page, tap Inbox in the bottom navigation bar.
- Tap the message thread you want to reply to.
- On the Message page, tap into the Message field and type in your response.
Note: To react to a message with an emoji, tap the Smiley Face icon. - Tap Send.
- Visit OfferUp.com and log in to your account.
- On the Home page, click Inbox in the top navigation bar, then View All Messages.
- Click on the message thread you want to reply to.
- Click the Message field and type your response.
- Click Send.
Delete a message
To delete a message thread, complete the following steps. Deleted messages cannot be recovered.
- Open the OfferUp app and log in to your account.
- On the Home page, tap Inbox in the bottom navigation bar.
- Locate the message thread you want to delete.
- Long press or swipe left on the message thread, then tap Delete.
- Visit OfferUp.com and log in to your account.
- On the Home page, click Inbox in the top navigation bar, then View All Messages.
- Select the checkbox next to the thread(s) you want to delete.
Note: You can select multiple message threads to delete at once. - Click Delete at the top of your messages list.
Message not sending or not received?
For step-by-step fixes to these and other delivery issues, see Fix common messaging issues, which covers notification problems, no-response scenarios, the persistent red-dot indicator, and disappearing messages.
Still having trouble? If none of these steps resolve your issue, contact us for help.
Block or report a user
These are different actions for different situations — use whichever matches what's happening:
Block a user if you simply don't want to receive messages from someone. This takes effect immediately and doesn't require OfferUp's review. Learn more about blocking a user.
Report a user if someone is violating OfferUp's policies — harassment, scams, prohibited items, or other abuse. This sends the conversation to OfferUp for review. Learn more about reporting a user.
If you feel unsafe or believe you're in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement first, then report the user to OfferUp so we can take action on the account.