Back in the day when you wanted to sell stuff you’d either pay for a listing on your local newspaper or hold a garage sale. Thanks to apps like Shpock, you can hold a boot sale on your phone, for free. But with so many apps claiming to connect us with buyers and sellers of used stuff nearby, you can never be too careful. You are probably wondering whether it’s safe to use the boot sale app and that’s why you are going through a couple of Shpock app reviews. Before you even think of using the app, you might want to read this Shpock app review.
What is Shpock?
Shpock found online at www.shpock.com is a ‘’boot sale’’ app and website marketplace where you can trade new and old stuff like electronics, clothes, household items and such with people near you. Shpock (which stands or ‘’shop in your pocket’’) was launched back in 2012 in Vienna, by Austrian developers Strbac and Katharina Klausberger.
How Does Shpock Work?
So, here’s how it works basically.
Selling
For sellers, all you do is take up to five photos of the item you want to sell, describe it, price it and post it up. Then Shpock will pick up your location and show it to people closest to you who are using the app.
Buying
For buyers, these items will show up as listings starting with those closest to them, to the furthest ones. Once a buyer sees something they'd be interested in, they’ll hit the seller’s inbox with an offer and once you agree on the offer, you can now start talking of how you’ll get your item.
With Shpock buyers and sellers agree to either do the exchange in person or by post.
Shpock Seller Fees
Buying and selling is free on Shpock. However, according to the app, you can ‘’increase chances of selling’’ an item by sponsoring your item, but more on that later.
How Much Does Shpock App Cost?
Shpock is free to download and use. You can get it on Google Play or iTunes depending on what device you are using. You can also use the Shpock desktop app. Did you know you can actually get paid to download apps like this at Swagbucks.com? Well now you do. You can also make money for things you already do online such as visiting websites, watching videos and more using Swagbucks.com.
Shpock App Features
Well, the app has some features designed for both buyers and sellers, and they include all that in a Shpock Premium Membership plan that includes
An Ad-free experience
Shpock claims that a premium membership plan frees you of ads that pop up on your screen from time to time.
Unlimited photo credits
You get to upload up to 10 photos of the item you want to sell instead of 5.
Shpock Super Boost
With the Super Boost feature the items you sell will appear more frequently and always on top of the pile to buyers near you.
Here’s how much a Premium Membership costs at the time of writing this Shpock review
- 12 months – $16.68
- 6 months – $11.93
- 1 month – $12.28
You can also share the items you sell on Social Media for free, or turn on alerts for items you are watching out for.
What Items Can't Be Sold on Shpock?
There are a couple of rules you must follow before selling on Schpock. You can’t sell living things, food items, anything that might cause physical or emotional damage to someone, counterfeit or fake products. Also, you can't sell alcohol, drugs or cigarettes, basically items that require licensing All in all, you can’t sell anything illegal at Shpock. You can view the full list and rules here.
What We Like About Shpock
It’s a cheaper alternative
If you are looking to clear the attic or garage of stuff you no longer need, then Shpock can hook you up with buyers for free. And we all know how expensive sites like EBay can be. The best part is with apps like Shpock, or even OfferUp, VarageSale is that your next buyer might happen to be next door.
Shpock App Complaints
This is the part of the review where we reveal the bad and the outright ugly. There are a few complaints we would like to swing your way. So let's dive into them.
Horrible customer service
Getting a hold of the customer service is a nightmare, according to actual users of the app. We followed up on these claims and found that they only have two ways you can reach them; through email on support@shpock.com or by phone on AT: +43 1 934 66 29, 8am to 4pm, UK time. It takes a while for these numbers to go through and you'll probably stay on hold until you throw in the towel.
People are rude in there
According to users, some people are rude. This seems to be the case especially if you are extra inquisitive about something you want to buy. Apparently the admins do little about this so you better have some thick skin.
You can easily get ripped off
Be careful when buying something at Shpock. Someone may claim to have shipped an item you’ve already paid for only to realize it was a scam. Some apps like OfferUp and Vinted go the extra mile to verify shipping addresses and follow-up but that doesn’t happen at Shpock. Once you buy something and can’t schedule a face-to-face exchange with the seller, you are on your own buddy.
No BBB rating
For you friends of the Better Business Bureau, Shpock is not listed at the time of this review. But this may be because the company is Austrian and they mostly focus their business in mostly Germany, the UK and of course Austria.
Shpock App Alternatives
You’ve probably read something that has put you off in the complaints above. Well, apps like OfferUp and Vinted have a pretty solid way of verifying sellers. So you may want to check them out. And remember, you can make money using sites like Swagbucks.com so you don't have to deal with shady sellers to get a discount.
Is Shpock App Safe?
Technically Shpock is not a scam. Because some people have actually bought and sold stuff using the app and it’s also free to download and use. However, you can easily get ripped off both as a buyer and seller, since the apps rarely follow up on transactions. It seems scammers are winning, and the app's management couldn't give a rat's ass. They don’t have their own payment system and neither do they verify sellers. So, if you decide to use the app, just be careful. It’s not that safe.
Well, that’s about it when it comes to the Shpock app. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts by leaving comments down below.
Until next time
Eddy ”with a Y”
Shpock App Review
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Our Overall Rating
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Support
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Quality
Summary
If you've ever thought of selling stuff online, you’ve probably heard of the Shpock app that claims to connect you with buyers and sellers near you. But is the app safe to use? Is it just another scam? Read along and find out! It doesn't sound too good.
Hi Eddy!
I tried the Shpock App some time ago myself, when I was living in Germany and wanted to get rid of some stuff.
After some days, I deleted the app again. I didn´t like the interface and there was also some issue with the search results that were shown as potential buyers around me.
At the end, I sold my stuff through a facebook group, which was much faster and easier than the Shpock App.
Thanks
Mia.
Thanks for sharing your experience. That speaks volumes.
oh my, it has horrible customer service? I am already turned off, and all of your other negative points made sure that I am staying away from this app.
I have not even tried Swagbucks yet but had thought about it. It sounds like an awesome concept though.
Blessings!
Claudia
Shpock, well the first time I have ever heard of this, I also did not know that you can get paid to download Swagbucks. Good information here. I agree with you on this Shpock App and I don’t feel that it is for me. I don’t think that the membership fees are not to much, but it still does not bring anything to the table that I couldn’t get done on facebook or at a garage sale for that matter.
I’ve seen Shpock advertised on the TV, and it looks like a fun and easy way to buy and sell your stuff.
As with all sites where the agreement is a private one between buyer and seller, there is the risk of being ripped off.
In the UK at least, there’s very little legal protection for the buyer when this happens! The seller, on the other hand, only has to describe the item accurately and have the legal right to sell it (i.e. not to have stolen it or known it to have been stolen).
Thank you for this post Eddy and thank you also for the warning about Shpock. I have recently seen their adverts on the tv and did wonder how safe they would be to use.
It is no use using something like this that has very little back up and then whatever they do have are said to be rude is not a way I would like to think that people were running a business I had started.
I know now to just not go anywhere near them at all.
You’re very welcome Cheryl!
SHPOK! - WHAT A JOKE
This platform is ultra-irritating and has zero customer service. I purchased an item and seller agreed a time and date to collect. However, the seller ignored my later requests for their address and left me negative feedback for voicing my frustration through them not responding. I emailed shpok several times in an effort to complain, and to have the negative feedback removed. Needless to say, I had no reply. They are an absolute disgrace!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience Paul. That definitely sounds very frustrating to say the least.
Scam
Someone just wanted to buy my item and claimed that they had paid shipping money into my account but hadn’t
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (5)No
Scam
Buyer informed me that she had to pay shipping fees via my PayPal and that I won’t get the payment unless I release some payment which I didn’t receive? Very strange set up!!
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Belittling messages
I wish Shpock would stop these stupid belittling remarks like “Take my hand and together we will speed things up” ggrrr
And ” Here’s a gift from us” only to find its a discount for a boost. I thought a gift was free.
I don’t want to know if someone likes my item, it just wastes my time looking to see what the message is about.
Wish they would just shut up and let us get on with it!
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APPALLING SERVICE
I placed an ad with Shpock and immediately paid ££7.99 to ‘bump’ (promote) the ad. Shpock cancelled the ad immediately stating later that they don’t accept ads for that type of product. My ad never appeared yet they took my £7.99 for promoting it. I have been communicating with their Customer services for weeks now (they take about 7-10 days to reply to each message). All they keep saying is that under their T&Cs bump fees are non refundable. I am livid about this because they have taken my money and delivered no service in return. This is theft! I suggest you avoid this company at all costs. If you have a problem, they are not interested in resolving it and do little more except make themselves impossible to contact. In all a terrible company!!
rip off
i have just been ripped off for £116 no goods and no help from sphock what so ever , oh did i mention i paid the sphock protection fee too , rubbish stay away they need to be closed down , take a look at trustpilot reviews , you wont touch it with a stick after
Shpock buyer protection does not protect you
Scammer sends damaged goods, having advertised perfect goods. I raise a case and win it. But all return expenses have to come out of my pocket. Why? Why am I out of pocket when the seller is a scammer? Shpock are supporting scammers instead of buyers.
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Attracts too many wronguns!
I’ve been let down twice by a buyer who then became very abusive. I haven’t been on this site 5 minutes and it’s cost me wasted ££££s.
I had a large bed to sell & 2 buyers kept wanting me to have it couriered to them despite my “collection only” stipulation. They then kept wanting my PayPal details.
I’ve yet to see if my complaint is dealt with by Schpock. But I’d give it a wide berth, not accountable enough. Attracts too many iffy characters.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (2)No