Varagesale.com Reviews

Erika lee ruined varage sale, shes the perfect example of what happens when you give power to lonely housewives. Unless you live in that comunity (and no being a 5 minute drive away doesnt count because reasons) and instead of doing what admins are supposed to do which is delete adds where people are clearly selling garbage all she does is run communities with an authoritarian style of her way or out. In conclusion not even mentioning buying and selling youll have a hell of a time just trying to get added to a community, be prepared to either have answer questions about where you live and your daily schedual as if thats any of her business or be you can use the app and once the interoggation is over youll probably be denied without explanation anyway. 0/10 dont pass go, dont collect 200$ and most importantly dont download varage.

I joined. Membership is still pending after 3 days. Meantime I sold 700.00 worth of merchandise on Offer Up and Let go. So far Varage is Garbage.

I've had good luck mostly using this site over the last 6 years in SK. Recently they hired a new admin, Lynn Gray, who is on a crazy power trip. She jumps to conclusions and is very one sided with sellers only. Erika Lee is not much better, but she is a lot more lazy about doing the work altogether. Can we please get some better, local admins... less nobodies that are too high up o n their horses??? It's too bad...

Also the "praise" system is a joke.. if someone no shows, leaves not enough money, etc and you "praise" them... they can just delete the praise so no one would ever know they were a $#*!ty buyer/seller. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When you ask questions and point out policies not being followed, Admin doesn't care (Meredith, Amy). The community I was a member of had three Admin leaders and one seemed fake. No matter whether you went by the book, Admin had their favorites and played like good cop(Meredith), bad cop(Amy). One would take it as far as she wanted then the other would step in and be condescending and harrassing. Even though I had good member status and good praises, it didn't matter. I hadn't reached top seller status. Once they play their game long enough, they revoke your membership and give their reason. And it's not totally the whole story. Once they revoked mine, I could email questions to the third Admin who seemed totally fake. Needless to say, I never heard back. It's a circus. Admin is the ring leader and you are the poor animal getting mistreated. Run and don't look back!

I joined varage sale years ago when I was looking for something unique and found it in my area through a google search. Joined so I could contact buyer only to be told I couldn't contact the buyer until I was approved which took weeks, at which point the item was no longer available. A few years later I had forgotten the experience and went back looking at something else, couldn't contact the buyer except by the public forum which seemed weird. Used the public forum and arranged to meet but the seller was a no show (typical - I use Kijiji a lot and this is common, not really a big deal). Flash forward about a year I was looking at an ad someone was looking for vintage tools, I didn't have any I wanted to sell but knew of a place in the area that sold estate items and had just got a whole workshop from a woodworkers estate and the prices were crazy low. I like to help someone out if I can, so I tried to send the buyer a note about it, but because I had recently moved to a new city, again couldn't contact the buyer until I was "approved" (which I never was because I forgot to update my profile with my new address - an insane amount of work just to contact an online classified ad - besides by the time I would have been approved there would probably be nothing left - vintage tools go like hotcakes). That was two months ago, today I was again on varage sale and wanting to contact someone about an item, but was denied before and waiting again for approval. This is ridiculously insane, I don't know why I keep forgetting how non-functional this community is and keep going back. I get that online scams and people from out of the region wanting items shipped is annoying, but Kijiji makes it work without being a complete unusable disaster. I actually can't believe people waste their time trying to sell on a community that so vigorously and effectively keeps people from buying from that community. I've never seen a more difficult and insane sign up / change process, and all this for something that should be dead plain simple. Also I can't stand that the search is non-functional, you basically have to manually search through categories for specific items, then you find something your interested in, login to contact someone and you get sent to some random landing page, can't go back, and have to hunt for the item all over the place (then find out your not approved and can't contact them anyways).

I'm already being generous for giving them a 1 star. I have no other choice if I need to ensure that I'm able to write this review. I have several issues with VarageSale and they are as follows:

1) According to VarageSale's definition of a Discussion, it says that it's anything you want to just "say" to everyone in the group. The link is here https://help.varagesale.com/article/374-what-is-a-discussion if you want to check it out. It doesn't specify that you can't be posting deals about your products so I posted a deal there about a daily discount for my products. A day later, it was deleted without explanation. I then reposted the deal along with another and again, they were both deleted a day or so later without explanation. When I contacted VarageSale admin, they indicated that I cannot advertise my products under Discussions and it's also based on the rules set out by the Community Admin for my area. When I scrolled through the Discussions, I notice multiple people posting advertisements for their products yet their posts remained. I even noticed that someone posted an ad for his products and he was also in the same buy and sell community as me. However, the Community Admin only wrote under his post that he shouldn't be doing that but did not remove his post. This goes to show how inconsistent the Community Admins can be as they will just arbitrarily delete some posts and keep some according to how they "feel" like even though the posts are of the same nature. Talk about taking irrationality to a whole new level! They also lack the courtesy to tell you the reason for removing your posts. So don't be surprised if you post something under Discussions and it ends up mysteriously disappearing. Mind you, they don't even mention under the definition of a Discussion on the VarageSale help page what you can't post as I had mentioned earlier so you'll be left guessing why your post just evaporated into thin air.

Honestly, it's not even the fact that the Community Admin (LeeAnn Matthews) removed my posts that angers me. It's the fact that she didn't even have the courtesy to tell me why and the fact that she was inconsistent with what to remove and what not to remove when my posts and other people's posts are of the same nature. I would be fine with her removing my Discussion posts if she was consistent with everyone and also told me the reason why. What terrible communication skills she has! She expects people to guess what's on her mind. I wonder if this type of attitude spills over to other aspects of her life because if it does, then I would pity those who would have to deal with her as they would have to constantly guess what's wrong with her as she cannot just straight up tell people what's wrong!

2) Without downloading the App on my phone and only using the browser, it seems like some of the buttons in VarageSale don't work. The Feed works but the buttons to check your own messages or products do not work. When I'm on my computer, however, everything tends to work properly.

3) They don't allow you to attach more than one picture for your products if you don't download the App. So if you're using VarageSale on your computer, don't expect to be able to attach more than one picture to give potential customers a better idea of your products.

4) The rating system is only a Praise rather than a rating in Stars or a scale of 1 to 5 or so. This causes a person to either have no Praises or only have Praises. There is no way anyone can have a publicly displayed negative review. Therefore, this rating system fails to give an accurate picture of a given user as it only shows people their good side.

5) You can have followers but VarageSale doesn't seem to let you see who they are. As for discussions, you can't see if anyone is "watching" your discussion.

These are the top complaints I have about VarageSale. I heard from an insider who used to work there that they were laying off a lot of people and almost went bankrupt. I guess this is why they are full of issues.

Needless to say, I have deleted my account and will never use VarageSale again. It's up to you whether or not you would want to try it out but I would definitely not recommend it.

We have a great VS community. From time to time like anything we get a bad member but they don't last long.
We tend to get impatient when VS is having app issues but then a member will remind us how great VS's platform is compared to others and then we find patience.
I will say I have noticed more app issues since VS was sold BUT we are still happy with VS.
Besides meets and ppu's we meet weekly on Fridays to exchange our sales/purchases and we have annual an Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt for our little ones & end of summer party.
A pic of our Christmas Party Gifts.

I was locked out and send a request to reset password 3x over the course of 2 days and did not get a response by email as the site said I would.

They want your information, and if you don't adhere to their rules then you can't be a part of the community. You can't even view their listings. Other local sell sites like Letgo, despite being trash, let's you opt-out of your data being collected and sold. In this app, they want your real name, real face, and if you opt out of your data being collected, it logs you out because you can't use the app unless you give them your information. It wouldn't be suspicious for the real name being needed if it weren't for that fact. What makes them think they can compete against other sites that allow people of any community to sell to others, when they won't even let you in to sell to a community you're not even that far away from? It's even worst if you're in a small community. The rules are so strict, and verification takes too long. The admins think they're more important than they really are.

And don't trust some of the 5 star reviews. Notice how most of their account were all made in August, and how the reviews were all made on August 30th or 31st. Fairly suspicious if you ask me.

I had been a member in good standing using this app but in the last eight months the disrespect and craziness is taking over. There have been so many people acting a fool with their ridiculous requests for you to deliver your item to them, crazy no shows or those who don't respond whatsoever and others who block you for no reason after requesting a product or asking if something is available.
Unfortunately, those 'in charge' are the admins for most of the Ontario 'factions' and are part of the group blocking with no communication, not responding to questions or complaints. It's like high school where there is a lot of subjective decision making and friends taking care of 'friends'. I've deleted the whole thing. No point. Beware.

If you lie, or set up a false profile you can join the groups you want. If you are honest, then the admins powertrip and refuse to let you in. Doesnt matter if you are in the same state and willing to drive to the local area either. When people are punished for being honest, then this is a redflag that this online platform is unsafe. When you are trying to connect with other people, you definitely want a platform that encourages honesty.

As a seller, I would think about the impact of this for you personally. This means you get less buyers because the admins are controlling who you have access to transact with. I certainly wouldnt want to put the time and effort into taking good photos, writing descriptions and waiting on buyers just to know the admins may impair sales. But thats just me.

It's very hard to sell on VarageSale (Calgary) and the administration has ridiculous rules. It's one of the only sites that's has such strict guild lines. Right down to the photo you take and post. How many items can be in seen in the photo etc. I took a photo of the front and back of a product that I make, and have multiple of. I wanted to show both sides in one photo. My add was deleted, because of that. Then when questioning admin why it was deleted and what was wrong, I was threatened with the three strikes rule. I sell more stuff on other platforms then this one. Administration is very difficult, and they are getting a bad reputation across many different platforms. If I could give 0 stars I would.

One of the Admin ladies Angela in Appleton denied me joining because I live in Green Bay which isn't far away. Yet in the Green Bay community people from Appleton are allowed to sell in our community. Ignorant, discriminative people. Her reasoning was because "different groups have different guidelines." How about not be selfish and be open minded. It's a sales platform for gods sake and it's not like I'm in Milwaukee. Rude people.

This is only good if your neighbor is selling something. You will not be allowed access to any items which are not in your immediate area of residence. You cannot even temporarily use another location. I find this to be completely useless to me. Good luck to anyone else. I've been on it over a year, and have not had any success. My letgo and kijiji accounts are always hustling. Hope this review helps others.

After 3 flat out rejections trying to join this site to just buy a garden tractor I changed my rural address, very close to nearby groups to an urban address 100 miles from them and wonder upon wonders the next day I was accepted in all the groups that had told me I was "too far out of their areas". Go figure? Bought my tractor through a different site the next day, partly out of spite for all the aggravation, will not likely ever use this site now.

Bunch of power trippers. I agree with a lot of reviewers here. Admins of this site are all crazy at making their own rules!
I had it finally and quit vs richmond!
Too many cases to mention here!

Areas of the province within 15 kms of each other are grouped into "communities".
Once logged in, you can't search all of them - just whichever community you happen to have selected, and/or be a member of.
You have to "apply to join", and have your membership approved by an Admin before you can even respond to ads. Part of the approval process is using your REAL NAME - displayed to everyone - AND uploading A PHOTO OF YOURSELF. Forget the fact that you just verified your identity via phone and email.
Also, if you don't live within the cachement area of a specific community, chances are your membership will be turned down. (I own this thing called a "car" that I guess VarageSale hasn't heard of.) Moreover, the admin asking me for a photo didn't live in the community I was trying to join!
If you manage to make it through the rigorous vetting process, even your communications with the sellers about posted items - via "discussions" rather than private messages - require an approval process.

All of these approvals take days. I could have shipped an item from overseas in the time it took me to get approved, and to have my communications approved.
It's a wonder any buyers and sellers manage to connect or sell anything!

I feel as if all of these hoops were designed to collect information from the unsuspecting public; why it's so easy to find something on VarageSale when doing a random Google search, or when not logged in... but once logged in, it's nothing but bureaucratic nonsense. That the ads themselves are fabricated, or months/years old, and used as bait to get people to sign up.
I read a few of the reviews here - and someone mentioned that they couldn't get their account deleted. Probably so that they can continue to use your information in perpetuity.

Thankfully my account has been put back & all is forgiven and forgotten. Really do enjoy using this app & glad the issues have finally been resolved.

This site claims it wants to bring communities together however I was just denied access to their community due to my location being to far away. Away from what you silly women? Ever heard of a car? Yeah it gets you from place to place. After reading all these reviews those silly women did me a huge favor by denying me access to their neighborhood cult. I immediately found another community site Bookoo...Takes seconds to join & list and you're dealing with members of your community. varagesale is an absolute joke to say the least. I agree they're a bunch of power hungry people who act as if they're in elementary school. Browsing their site looks like Sanford & Son

Like the title says. It sucks. Asked me for all my personal info and a profile pic and then shut me out. Totally idiotic way to try and buy something.

Admins don't let you join a community because you are apparently 'out of area' (when you're a 15min drive from the town/city). However, when you look at the admin page, a few admins are 'out of area' themselves...but they freely post ads within that community. What an odd app and strange people..are they even from planet earth or a different dimension?

I've been with varage sale for a long time with many praises and many items for sale. They give you pathetic warnings for posting one picture with multiple items , all the same price. They want you to post each item separately, which I find pathetic and very time consuming. Pretty sad you cant post multiple items in one picture. I'm not going to take the time to take pictures of little items when I can have them all in one. I dont see the big deal. Thay being said, they have now revoked my account and deleted it. Hahaha
This site is garbage. People on the site rarely reply to your interest in items. Facebook marketplace is WAY BETTER anyway. Byeeeeee !!!

There is an insane admin named LeeAnn Matthews, who controls 90% of the communities within 2 hours of my location who is completely insane! She does not allow people who refinish/upcycled furniture to post that furniture in the REFURBISHED/UPCYCLED FURNITURE section. LOL!!! Why have that section then?
She if she knows you refinish for a living then you can have ONE ad in the small business section, stating that you sell refinished furniture, but NOT selling it in the ad. If you then post a discussion post, letting your followers know that you were asked to delete your posts but can be found in the small business section, she deletes that discussion post and threatens to remove you from the communities. Basically, all your followers or people who were watching your items think you fell off the map and disappeared. (No one checks the small business section!)
Funny thing is, no one can find her on Face Book or anywhere else on the web and her profile has no info. All the artists she has removed are thinking it's a fake account and she's actually a jealous, crappy furniture painter who just wants to eliminate all the competition.
LeeAnn Matthews - thanks for taking food out of my family's mouth and making rent that much more difficult to make each month!

Terrible. Doesn't work. People decide not to sell to you and there are no repercussions. For a lousy $10.00 item I had to get a nut for a seller who decided she didn't want to sell it to me.

I got onto VarageDump to get rid of some surplus wooden pallets we get at our company from customers. I was looking for wood artist to give these to, so I posted them. When I saw that I was not getting anywhere I attempted to delete my account. I playfully said: "Hey dummies, I cannot log off." They sent some juvenile reply stating: "Our support team does not work with people incapable of conducting themselves appropriately. If you would like assistance kindly reply back using words that are appropriate for communicating with others. Starting with an apology for behaving so rudely. If you are not capable of interacting politely, then you can visit the help website and find your own answers, as our team does not tolerate being treated in this manner." I am not making this story up. Either their help desk is a 10 year old girl or an elderly woman checking emails outta some nursing home or some soccer mom who has her head up her @#$. Come on goobers. If you have an incompetent website that lacks the most basic features in accommodating your guests you will get messages like mine. Be smart and able and you will not get snarky comments like mine.