A community member once posted in our WhatsApp group at midnight: “We’re moving back in 8 weeks. Our apartment is full of stuff. Where do I even start selling?”
Within an hour, over 40 people had replied.
That’s how common this problem is.
When you’re planning your move back to India, one of the biggest headaches is figuring out what to do with all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the years.
Furniture. Electronics. Kitchen appliances. Kids’ toys. Clothes. That treadmill you used exactly twice.
Shipping most of it to India doesn’t make sense. It’s expensive. Half your US appliances won’t work on Indian voltage. And honestly, you can buy most things cheaper in India.
So you need to sell. And you need to sell fast.
I went through this myself in 2017 when we were leaving for Bangalore. We had a two-bedroom apartment full of furniture, electronics, kitchen stuff, and years of accumulated things.
We sold almost everything in about six weeks. Some items sold in hours. Others took weeks of relisting.
Here’s what I learned – and what our community of 20,000+ returning NRIs has figured out since then.
Before You Pick an App: The NRI Selling Mindset
Here’s something most selling guides won’t tell you.
When you’re moving back to India, you’re not a regular seller. You’re a motivated seller with a deadline.
That changes everything.
You can’t wait three months for the right buyer. You can’t hold out for the perfect price.
Your goal is simple: convert as much stuff into cash as quickly as possible before your move date.
A few rules our community has learned the hard way:
Start early.
Begin listing items at least 8 to 10 weeks before your move. The last two weeks should be for final items and donations, not panic selling.
Price to sell, not to profit.
You won’t get what you paid. Expect 30 to 50% of the original price for most items. For furniture, sometimes even less.
List on multiple apps.
The same couch that sits unsold on one app might get three offers on another within a day. Cross-list everything.
Keep cash or Venmo/Zelle for local sales.
Don’t accept personal checks from strangers. Cash, Venmo, or Zelle only.
Take good photos.
This sounds obvious, but it matters more than you think. Clean the item. Good lighting. Multiple angles. Items with better photos sell 2 to 3 times faster.
Now, here are the 10 best apps and platforms to get it done.
1. Facebook Marketplace – Best Overall for Furniture and Large Items
This is where most returning NRIs sell the bulk of their stuff. And for good reason.
Why it works for NRIs: Almost everyone is already on Facebook. No extra app to download. You can see a buyer’s profile before meeting them. And for local pickup items like furniture, it’s unbeatable.
Fees: Zero for local sales. Nothing. You list, someone buys, they pick it up, you get paid.
Best for: Furniture, appliances, large items, strollers, car seats, home decor, and pretty much anything that’s too heavy or expensive to ship.
How fast things sell: Priced-right furniture in metro areas can sell within hours. I listed our IKEA dining table on a Thursday evening. It was gone by Saturday morning.
Watch out for:
- Lowball offers. They’re constant. Don’t take it personally.
- No-shows. People will say they’re coming and then vanish. Confirm the day of pickup.
- Scammers who want to pay with Zelle “before coming” with fake payment confirmations. Only accept payment in person.
NRI tip: Join local Facebook Buy/Sell groups for your city or neighborhood. These often have faster, more serious buyers than the general Marketplace.
One community member in New Jersey listed her entire living room set as a bundle – couch, coffee table, side tables, rug – for $600. Sold in two days to a college student who was furnishing his first apartment.
Bundle deals move fast.
2. OfferUp – Best for Quick Local Sales
OfferUp is like Facebook Marketplace but without the social media baggage.
After it merged with LetGo in 2020, it became one of the biggest local selling apps in the US. Over 80 million users across the US and Canada.
Why it works for NRIs: Clean interface. Focused entirely on buying and selling. The TruYou verification system lets you verify your identity, which builds trust with buyers. And it suggests pre-approved safe meetup spots near police stations.
Fees: Free for local sales. If you choose to ship, the seller fee is 12.9%, which makes it less attractive for shipped items.
Best for: Furniture, electronics, tools, sporting goods, musical instruments. Similar to Facebook Marketplace but with a slightly more organized feel.
How fast things sell: Depends on your area. In big cities, things move fast. Smaller towns, not as much.
Watch out for:
- Stick to local, in-person sales. The shipping fees are steep.
- Stay within the OfferUp app for communication. Don’t move to text or other messaging apps – that’s how scams happen.
NRI tip: List on both OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace simultaneously. Different buyer pools. Same effort.
3. Mercari – Best for Shipping Smaller Items Nationwide
If you’re selling smaller items that can be shipped, Mercari is excellent.
Unlike local-only apps, Mercari connects you with buyers across the entire country. So that specific baby carrier or gaming keyboard finds a buyer even if nobody in your neighborhood wants it.
Why it works for NRIs: Some things are hard to sell locally. That collectible item or specific brand of baby gear might not have local demand. Mercari opens up a national buyer pool.
Fees: 10% seller commission plus payment processing (2.9% plus $0.50). So on a $100 sale, you’d pay about $13.40 total.
Best for: Clothing, shoes, toys, video games, collectibles, small electronics, baby gear, books.
How fast things sell: Mid-value items ($20 to $100) tend to move fastest. Brand name items do especially well.
Watch out for:
- Factor in shipping costs when pricing. Mercari provides prepaid labels, but the cost comes from your sale price.
- Buyers can request returns within 3 days. Make sure your descriptions are accurate.
NRI tip: Mercari’s QR code shipping is really convenient. No printer needed. Just take the box to UPS, show the code on your phone, and they print the label.
4. Craigslist – Still Works for Big Ticket Local Sales
Yes, Craigslist is still around. And yes, it still works.
It doesn’t look pretty. There’s no app rating system. No buyer verification.
But for certain types of items – especially big ones – Craigslist buyers are often more serious.
Why it works for NRIs: Zero fees. No account needed. Simple listing process. And Craigslist attracts buyers who are specifically searching for deals on big items.
Fees: Free for most categories.
Best for: Cars, furniture, large appliances, exercise equipment, moving boxes, and anything you want gone fast at a fair price.
Watch out for:
- Safety is on you. Meet in public places for smaller items. For furniture pickups, have someone else at home with you.
- More spam and scam emails than other platforms. Ignore anyone who wants to pay by check, wire transfer, or asks you to ship something.
NRI tip: If you’re selling your car before moving, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are your best bets. List on both. Expect the car to take 2 to 4 weeks to sell, so start early.
A community member sold his 2018 Honda Civic on Craigslist within 10 days. He priced it $1,500 below KBB value because he needed it gone. Received six inquiries in the first three days.
5. Nextdoor – Best for Neighborhood Sales
Nextdoor is your neighborhood social network. Everyone on it is verified by their address.
This matters because buyers are literally your neighbors. The flake rate is much lower than other platforms.
Why it works for NRIs: When you’re selling furniture or large items, having buyers within a mile or two is incredibly convenient. No coordinating long drives. People can walk over and pick stuff up.
Fees: Free.
Best for: Household items, kids’ stuff, tools, free items you just want gone, plants, and anything too heavy to drive somewhere.
How fast things sell: Varies by neighborhood, but serious buyers respond faster here because they’re close by.
Watch out for:
- Smaller buyer pool compared to Facebook Marketplace. Your neighborhood might only have a few hundred active users.
- Better for quick, low-effort sales than for maximizing price.
NRI tip: When you’re in the final two weeks before your move and just want stuff gone, post a “Moving sale – everything must go” on Nextdoor. You’ll be amazed how fast neighbors show up.
6. Poshmark – Best for Selling Clothes and Fashion
If you’ve got closets full of clothes, shoes, bags, or accessories, Poshmark is where the buyers are.
Over 80 million users. Almost all of them specifically looking for fashion.
Why it works for NRIs: After years in the US, most of us have accumulated far more clothes than we’ll ever take to India. Designer brands, work clothes, winter jackets (you definitely won’t need those in Bangalore) – all sell well on Poshmark.
Fees: 20% commission on sales over $15. For sales under $15, it’s a flat $2.95. Yes, it’s high. But Poshmark buyers pay premium prices for brands.
Best for: Brand name clothing (Nike, Lululemon, Zara, Banana Republic), designer handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories.
How fast things sell: Depends on the brand and price. Popular brands at good prices can sell within days. Niche items might take weeks.
Watch out for:
- The 20% fee is steep. Price accordingly.
- You’ll need to “share” your listings regularly to keep them visible. It’s a social platform. Engagement matters.
- Poshmark provides shipping labels. The buyer pays shipping on orders over $15.
NRI tip: Don’t bother listing generic, non-brand clothing. It won’t sell. Focus on brand names, and take clean, well-lit photos on hangers or flat-laid.
7. eBay – Best for Electronics, Collectibles, and Niche Items
eBay has been around since 1995 for a reason. For certain categories, nothing beats it.
Over 134 million active buyers worldwide. If you have something unusual or valuable, someone on eBay wants it.
Why it works for NRIs: Some items you own are genuinely valuable but have no local market. A rare LEGO set. An old camera lens. Collectible books. On eBay, there’s a buyer for nearly everything.
Fees: 12.55% plus $0.30 per transaction for most categories. Plus payment processing. It adds up.
Best for: Electronics, collectibles, camera gear, vintage items, specialty tools, anything rare or specific that benefits from a global buyer pool.
How fast things sell: Auction format can sell items in 3 to 7 days. Fixed price listings depend on category and pricing.
Watch out for:
- Fees are among the highest of any platform.
- Buyer protection heavily favors buyers. Be accurate in your descriptions.
- Shipping is your responsibility unless you use eBay’s calculated shipping.
NRI tip: For electronics, compare eBay prices with Swappa (below). Swappa usually gets you more money for phones and laptops because fees are much lower.
If you’re wondering what electronics to take vs. sell, we have a separate guide for that.
8. Swappa – Best for Selling Phones, Laptops, and Tablets
If you’re selling a phone, tablet, laptop, or gaming console, Swappa should be your first stop.
It’s a dedicated electronics marketplace. Every listing is verified before it goes live. No junk. No scams.
Why it works for NRIs: You probably have at least one old phone sitting in a drawer. Maybe an older laptop or tablet. These lose value every day you wait. Swappa gets you the highest price with the lowest fees.
Fees: Just 3% from the seller, plus PayPal/Stripe processing fees (3.49% plus $0.49). Compare that to eBay’s 12.55%.
On a $500 phone, you’d keep roughly $465 on Swappa versus about $435 on eBay. That $30 difference adds up across multiple devices.
Best for: iPhones, Samsung phones, iPads, MacBooks, laptops, gaming consoles, smartwatches, headphones, and drones.
How fast things sell: iPhones and popular devices sell within days, sometimes hours.
Watch out for:
- US-based marketplace only. You need a US address to sell.
- No broken or non-functional items allowed. Everything must work.
- You need to provide IMEI numbers for phones (they verify the device isn’t stolen or blacklisted).
NRI tip: Sell your devices on Swappa before you leave. Once you’re in India, you won’t be able to list on the platform. Don’t sit on old phones – every week you wait, the value drops.
9. Gazelle – Best for Instant Electronics Buyback (No Hassle)
Don’t want to deal with listing, photographing, negotiating, meeting strangers, and shipping?
Gazelle just buys your device directly.
Why it works for NRIs: When you’re overwhelmed with packing, paperwork, and a hundred other things before your move, the last thing you want is to manage ten eBay listings. Gazelle gives you an instant quote. You accept, ship for free, get paid.
How it works:
- Go to gazelle.com
- Select your device and answer a few questions about condition
- Get an instant offer
- Accept the offer (it’s locked for 30 days)
- Ship for free using their prepaid label
- Get paid via PayPal, check, or Amazon gift card after inspection
Fees: None. The trade-off is that Gazelle pays less than what you’d get selling directly on Swappa or eBay. Typically 55 to 70% of what a peer-to-peer sale would fetch.
Best for: People short on time. Old phones you forgot about. Devices you don’t want to photograph and list individually.
Watch out for:
- They only accept specific devices (mostly phones, tablets, MacBooks). Check their site first.
- The final offer can change after inspection if the device condition doesn’t match what you described. They’ll ship it back for free if you reject the revised offer.
- Some customer reviews mention lower revised offers. Be honest about condition upfront.
NRI tip: Use Gazelle as your “last resort” for devices you couldn’t sell on Swappa. For maximum value, try Swappa first (1 to 2 weeks). If it doesn’t sell, send it to Gazelle and take the guaranteed payout.
10. Amazon Trade-In – Easiest for Converting to Gift Cards
Already buying stuff on Amazon for your move (packing supplies, last minute purchases)?
Amazon’s Trade-In program lets you trade eligible electronics, books, and video games for Amazon gift cards.
Why it works for NRIs: If you’re already shopping on Amazon for your move, converting old devices into gift card credit is seamless. No negotiating, no meeting strangers.
How it works:
- Go to Amazon Trade-In page
- Search for your item
- Answer condition questions
- Get an instant quote as Amazon gift card credit
- Ship for free
- Credit is applied after inspection
Fees: None. But payouts are typically 15 to 25% lower than what you’d get on peer-to-peer platforms.
Best for: Old Kindles, Fire tablets, Echo devices, phones, video games, and textbooks. Especially convenient when the trade-in value is modest and the hassle of listing isn’t worth it.
Watch out for:
- Payment is Amazon gift card only. No cash option.
- Not every item is eligible. Their catalog is more limited than you’d expect.
- Gift card balance stays in your US Amazon account. Make sure you can use it before leaving.
NRI tip: Trade in your Kindle, Echo, and other Amazon devices here. The values aren’t amazing, but the convenience is unbeatable for low-value items. Put the credit toward things you’ll need before your move – or toward things to buy before returning to India.
Quick Comparison: Which App for What
Here’s a simple reference table based on what our community has found works best:
| What You’re Selling | Best App | Second Best | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture, large items | Facebook Marketplace | OfferUp, Craigslist | 20 to 40% of original |
| Phones, tablets, laptops | Swappa | Gazelle (no hassle) | 50 to 70% of original |
| Clothes and fashion | Poshmark | Mercari | 20 to 50% of original |
| Kids’ stuff and toys | Facebook Marketplace | Nextdoor, Mercari | 15 to 35% of original |
| Electronics and gadgets | Swappa, eBay | Amazon Trade-In | 40 to 65% of original |
| Collectibles, niche items | eBay | Mercari | Varies widely |
| Small shippable items | Mercari | eBay | 30 to 50% of original |
| Car | Facebook Marketplace | Craigslist | KBB value minus 10 to 15% |
| Everything in bulk | Nextdoor “moving sale” | Facebook Marketplace | Whatever you can get |
The 8-Week Selling Timeline
Here’s the timeline that has worked for dozens of families in our community:
Week 1 to 2: List the big stuff.
Start with furniture, car (if selling), and large appliances. These take the longest to sell. List on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist simultaneously.
Week 3 to 4: Electronics and clothes.
List phones and laptops on Swappa. Clothes on Poshmark. Everything else on Mercari and eBay. Take a weekend to photograph everything properly.
Week 5 to 6: Price drops and relisting.
Anything that hasn’t sold? Drop the price by 15 to 20%. Relist with fresh photos if needed. Cross-post to additional platforms.
Week 7: Bulk it out.
Post a “Moving sale – everything must go” on Nextdoor and Facebook. Bundle remaining items at deep discounts. Send remaining electronics to Gazelle or Amazon Trade-In.
Week 8: Donate and let go.
Whatever hasn’t sold, donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Get a donation receipt for your tax return. Let it go.
One community member put it perfectly: “Treat unsold items like sunk costs. The emotional energy of trying to sell a $30 item in your last week is not worth it.”
She’s right.
Common Mistakes NRIs Make When Selling
After watching thousands of families go through this, here are the patterns I see:
Starting too late.
This is number one. If you start selling two weeks before your move, you’ll end up giving things away or leaving them behind. Start 8 to 10 weeks out.
Pricing too high.
Your $2,000 couch is not worth $1,500 to a buyer. It’s used. The market decides the price, not your attachment to it. Check what similar items are listed for. Price 10% below that for a quick sale.
Not cross-listing.
Listing only on one app cuts your buyer pool dramatically. The same item should be on at least two or three platforms.
Ignoring the photos.
A dark, blurry photo of a couch in a messy room will not sell. Clean the item. Move it to a well-lit spot. Take 4 to 5 clear photos. This single change can cut your selling time in half.
Waiting for the “right” buyer.
When you have a hard deadline, the right buyer is the one who shows up with cash today. Don’t hold out for an extra $20.
Not factoring in your time.
If you spend 3 hours selling a $15 item, you’ve valued your time at $5 an hour. For low-value items, donate and move on.
What About Garage Sales?
Garage sales (or yard sales) still work, especially in suburban neighborhoods.
Some community members have made $500 to $2,000 in a single weekend by holding a well-advertised garage sale.
Tips for a successful garage sale:
- Post on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and Craigslist a week before
- Put up signs in your neighborhood
- Price everything with stickers (avoid the “how much?” back and forth)
- Start early on Saturday morning (serious buyers come at 7 AM)
- Have change ready (lots of $1 and $5 bills)
- At the end of the day, drop whatever’s left at a donation center
A garage sale works best as a complement to online selling. List big items online. Sell the small stuff at the garage sale.
What Not to Take to India
Before you start selling, decide what’s actually worth taking.
As a general rule, if you can buy it in India for a reasonable price, sell it here.
Usually sell in the US:
- Furniture (doesn’t survive shipping well, and Indian sizes are different)
- Large kitchen appliances (voltage issues)
- Winter clothing (you won’t need it)
- Cars (obviously)
- Books you’ve already read
- Old electronics that won’t get good resale in India
Usually take to India:
- Quality laptops and current phones
- Small personal electronics (Kindle, AirPods)
- Kitchen items that are hard to find or expensive in India (specific brands, specialty cookware)
- Kids’ comfort items (favorite toys, blankets)
- Important documents and personal items
Our guide on what electronics to take when returning goes into more detail on this.
And our return to India from USA checklist covers the full planning process.
Where Does the Money Go?
Once you’ve sold everything, you’ll have a decent amount of cash.
A few things to think about:
Keep your US bank account active. You’ll need it for closing transactions, final utility bills, and any pending refunds. Our guide on keeping US bank accounts after moving explains why this matters.
Transfer to India strategically. If you’re sending a large amount to India, do it through proper banking channels into your NRO account. Keep records of every transaction.
Don’t forget taxes. If you sell a car or high-value items at a gain (unlikely for used stuff, but possible for collectibles), you may need to report it. Talk to your tax advisor before your move.
FAQ
Q: How early should I start selling?
Start 8 to 10 weeks before your move date. Furniture and cars should be listed first. Small items can wait until 4 to 6 weeks out.
Q: What if something doesn’t sell?
Drop the price. If it still doesn’t sell, donate it. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity ReStores all accept furniture and household items. Get a donation receipt for your taxes.
Q: Is it safe to have strangers come to my home for pickup?
For furniture, it’s unavoidable. Have someone else home with you during pickups. For smaller items, meet at a public place like a coffee shop or police station parking lot. Many police stations have designated safe exchange zones.
Q: Can I sell stuff after I move to India?
Practically, no. Once you’re in India, managing US sales becomes very difficult. Different time zones, no way to ship items, and most platforms require a US address. Sell before you leave.
Q: Should I sell my car through a dealer or privately?
Private sales typically get you 10 to 20% more than dealer trade-ins. But dealer trade-ins are faster and easier. If you have time, sell privately through Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. If you’re rushed, a dealer trade-in or services like CarMax, Carvana, or Vroom give instant offers.
Q: What about stuff with sentimental value?
Ship it. If it truly matters to you, the cost of shipping is worth it. Don’t sell something you’ll regret. Our shipping to India from USA guide covers the logistics.
The Bigger Picture
Selling your stuff is more than a logistical exercise.
It’s one of the first real steps in letting go of your life in the US. And that can be emotional.
Every piece of furniture has a memory. The dining table where your family ate dinner. The couch where your kids watched Saturday morning cartoons. The crib your baby outgrew.
Letting go of things is hard. But things are just things.
The memories come with you. The life you’re building in India will create new ones.
When I was selling our apartment stuff in 2017, my wife got emotional about our son’s toddler bed. He’d slept in it every night since we bought it.
We almost shipped it. Then we realized he’d outgrow it in six months anyway.
We sold it to a young couple who had just had their first baby. They were thrilled. And somehow, that made it easier.
Your stuff will find new homes. And so will you.
Disclaimer: Platform fees and policies change frequently. Verify current fees on each platform’s website before listing. This article reflects community experiences as of early 2026.
Sources:
- Facebook Marketplace – facebook.com/marketplace
- OfferUp – offerup.com
- Mercari – mercari.com
- Craigslist – craigslist.org
- Nextdoor – nextdoor.com
- Poshmark – poshmark.com
- eBay – ebay.com
- Swappa – swappa.com
- Gazelle – gazelle.com
- Amazon Trade-In – amazon.com/tradein
If you’re planning your move back, join our WhatsApp community at backtoindia.com/groups – 20,000+ NRIs helping each other with real, lived experience. It’s free and volunteer-run.
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