Is PorchDeals free to use?
Yes. Creating an account and browsing listings is free. Posting listings is also free. PorchDeals charges only for optional paid services like boosts or subscriptions.
Help center
PorchDeals FAQ
Straight answers about buying, selling, safety, accounts, payments, boosts, and how local marketplace deals work.
Start local
Set your ZIP code and browse nearby listings.
Stay safer
Meet publicly and inspect before paying.
Need help?
Contact support if a question is not answered here.
Local-first discovery
Search, browse, and filter listings around your ZIP code and chosen radius.
No shipping flow
PorchDeals is designed for local, in-person exchanges where buyers can inspect items.
Message before meeting
Ask questions, confirm details, and agree on the meetup plan before leaving.
Free to list
Post listings without a listing fee, with optional paid boosts for more visibility.
Seller tools
Boosts, sold status, storefront options, and ratings help sellers manage local deals.
Trust signals
Ratings, reports, and safety guidance help make marketplace activity easier to evaluate.
Buyer questions
Finding items, messaging sellers, making offers, and meeting locally.
How do I find listings near me?
Set your ZIP code and browse by radius, category, price, condition, free items, trade items, or search terms.
How do I contact a seller?
Open the listing and use the message option to start a conversation. Ask questions, confirm availability, and agree on a public meetup spot before you go.
Can I make an offer?
Yes. Buyers can negotiate with sellers through the built-in offer flow when a listing supports offers. Sellers can accept, counter, or decline.
Seller questions
Creating listings, responding to buyers, boosts, sold status, and reputation.
What can I sell on PorchDeals?
Most legal secondhand goods including furniture, electronics, vehicles, clothing, tools, and more. Prohibited items include weapons, illegal goods, counterfeit products, and anything that violates the Terms of Service.
How much does it cost to list?
Listing is free. Optional boosts can increase visibility in browse results, and Pro features may be offered for sellers who want more tools.
Will my exact address be shown?
No. PorchDeals uses your ZIP code so local buyers can find listings in your general area. Your exact address is not displayed publicly.
How do ratings work?
After a completed deal, ratings help future buyers and sellers understand marketplace history and build local trust over time.
Safety questions
Meetups, public locations, scam warnings, and report tools.
How do I stay safe?
Always meet in a well-lit public place. Never share your home address. Inspect items before paying. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, walk away.
Does PorchDeals support shipping?
PorchDeals is designed for local, in-person transactions. Shipping is not supported as a core marketplace flow.
How do I report a bad listing or user?
Use the report option on a listing when available, or contact PorchDeals with details. Reports help the team review suspicious activity and policy violations.
Where should I meet someone?
Choose busy, well-lit public places such as shopping center parking lots, coffee shops, or police safe exchange zones.
Account questions
Profiles, messages, notifications, and local marketplace settings.
Do I need an account?
You can browse public listings without signing in, but account features like messaging, saving listings, posting, and managing listings require an account.
Why should I keep messages on PorchDeals?
Keeping messages on PorchDeals helps preserve deal details, supports safer communication, and gives the team more context if a report is needed.
Can I save listings?
Yes. Signed-in users can save listings and may receive relevant listing or price-drop notifications depending on their settings.
Payments and subscriptions
User-to-user payments, boosts, Pro features, and payment safety.
Does PorchDeals handle payments between buyers and sellers?
No. PorchDeals does not process payments between buyers and sellers. Payment is arranged directly between parties at the time of pickup.
What payment methods should I use?
Cash, Venmo, Zelle, and Apple Pay are common person-to-person options. Be cautious with gift cards, wire transfers, fake payment screenshots, or overpayment stories.
What are listing boosts?
Boosts are optional paid services that can increase listing visibility. They are separate from payments between buyers and sellers.
Are there selling fees?
PorchDeals does not take a percentage of user-to-user sales. Optional paid services may be available for extra visibility or seller tools.
Still need help?
If your question involves a specific listing, account, safety concern, boost, subscription, or marketplace report, contact PorchDeals with the details.
Ready to use PorchDeals?
Start browsing nearby listings or post something for your local community.