From Craigslist to Carrot: How Expats in Korea Master Secondhand Deals

🟢 PART 1: Getting Started with Secondhand Platforms

1. Danggeun: Secondhand Market Culture in Korea

Living in Korea as a foreigner can be difficult, but here’s a helpful tip: don’t buy everything new. Koreans love secondhand deals, and so should you. If you need a fan for summer, a desk for your office, or if you want to declutter before moving out, secondhand platforms can help you.

Most secondhand trades in Korea happen between people who live nearby. It’s fast, cheap, and direct. But, of course, it’s not always easy to use platforms in Korean or handle verification steps without a local ID. Don’t worry—we’ll explain everything to you.

2. Danggeun Market is Competing with Jungonara

There are two major platforms that Koreans use to buy and sell secondhand items:

• Danggeun Market (당근마켓): This is an app that helps people in the same neighborhood buy and sell things. Imagine a combination of Craigslist and GPS.
• Jungonara (중고나라): A very big Naver Cafe is used for trading all over the country, often with delivery. It’s more traditional, but it’s more flexible in categories.

If you’re new to Korea or don’t speak fluent Korean, Danggeun is easier to use—but only if you have a Korean phone number. Jungonara has more listings, but it’s also more complicated.

3. How to Sign Up and Use Danggeun Market

• Download the app (search for “Danggeun Market” or “당근마켓”).
• Sign in using your Kakao, Google, or Apple account.
• Make sure your Korean phone number is correct. (Foreign numbers won’t work.)
• Allow GPS access and verify your current location.

Danggeun lets you trade with people who live nearby, about 3–4 miles away. You can sell or buy items in a different area than where you live. All you have to do is let the app check your location.

If you’re living in Korea long-term, have an ARC (Alien Registration Card), and a local phone plan, you’re good to go. Visitors to Korea for less than 3 months who don’t have a Korean phone number might have problems using this app.

4. Getting Started on Jungonara (중고나라)

Jungonara is an older, more traditional platform that works through Naver Cafe, which functions like a giant online forum. It’s often compared to Craigslist and has long served as Korea’s go-to online flea market.

• No GPS required
• Nationwide reach
• Courier-friendly trades

Make sure you check the user reviews and account names before paying for anything. There are some scam risks here, which we’ll cover in Part 2.

5. Problems Related to Verification & ID

• Alien Registration Card (ARC): Most accepted ID
• Korean phone number: Needed for SMS verification
• Bank-based digital certificates: For older systems like Naver

⚠️ On a tourist visa or short stay? Some platforms won’t work. Try expat groups on Facebook as an alternative.

6. Useful Korean Phrases for Chatting, Bargaining, & Meetups

Tip: Be polite, respond fast, and keep your tone friendly!

🟢 PART 2: Practical Tips & Scam Prevention

7. Here’s how to avoid scams on Danggeun Market and Jungonara

Scams are common, and secondhand platforms in Korea are no exception. The good news is that if you develop a few smart habits, you can avoid most risks. Here are some important things to look for:

• Prices that seem too good to be true: If something is extremely cheap, it’s probably fake or broken.
• Pushy sellers: If someone rushes you to send money or pressures you into a quick deal, that’s a red flag.
• Incomplete profiles: On Danggeun, stay away from users who don’t have a profile picture, have only a few reviews, or are new accounts.
• Location that is not local: If someone says they’re far away and wants you to wire money first, don’t go through with the deal.

When buying from Jungonara, make sure the seller’s bank account name and user ID match. You can also check scam reports at TheCheat.co.kr. It’s a Korean site that tracks known fraud cases.

8. Safe Public Meeting Spots for In-Person Trades

When trading secondhand items, it’s best to meet in person and check the item yourself. Luckily, many Korean cities have “Safe Trade Zones” (Korean: “안심거래 장소”) where people can trade safely. These zones are places near police stations, subway exits, or areas that are watched by CCTV.

In Seoul, some popular places include:

• Seoul Nambu Police Station: front gate, safe trade booth
• Hongdae Station (Exit 9): inside convenience store
• Yeoksam Station (Exit 5): near security post
• Gangnam-gu Office community center lobby

To find your local safe trade zone, type “안심거래 장소” into Naver Maps or check safety.go.kr (this website is only available in Korean).

9. Top 5 Secondhand Items Foreigners Buy & Sell in Korea

According to information from expat forums and marketplace activity, here are the most popular secondhand items among foreigners in Korea:

People often post these items on Facebook groups and platforms for expats, such as Danggeun and Bungaejangter. Some items, like laptops or gaming consoles, sell quickly but require more caution because there’s a higher chance of scams.

10. What You Should Do If You Get Scammed

If you are a victim of a scam, don’t panic. Here’s how to respond:

1. Save all screenshots of the chat and transaction.
2. Submit a report to the Korean National Police Cyber Bureau (they have an English interface).
3. Report the scam to the platform (Danggeun, Naver Cafe).
4. Post a warning on TheCheat to help others.

Some foreign users also contact their embassy or expat legal aid services, but this takes longer. It’s better to stop scams before they happen than to deal with them later.

11. BONUS: Other Secondhand Apps Worth Trying

In addition to Danggeun and Jungonara, there are several other platforms you can explore.

• Bungaejangter (번개장터): You can buy these products in-person or have them delivered. The app is mostly in Korean, but it has great product filtering.
• Hello Market: It’s great for specific categories and has a safe payment system in the app.
• Facebook Groups: Try the “Everything Itaewon,” “Korea Used Goods,” or “Buy/Sell in Seoul” groups for trading with other foreigners.

These platforms are more flexible if you don’t have a Korean number or ARC.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use Danggeun Market even if I don’t have a Korean phone number?
  No, you’ll need a Korean number to verify your phone.
• Is it safe to meet strangers to trade?
  Yes, if you meet in public places that are monitored by CCTV, like subway stations or police zones.
• What if the product is broken or doesn’t work like it says it will?
  Unfortunately, most secondhand trades are final. Always check the item before paying.
• Can I use English when messaging sellers?
  Sometimes, using basic Korean phrases can make it more likely that someone will reply.
• Which is better: cash or bank transfer?
  Cash is faster and safer for in-person deals. When you’re buying something, use apps that protect you as a buyer.
• I have a question about taxes. When I sell used goods, do I need to pay tax?
  In Korea, personal secondhand sales are not taxed.
• Are scams common on Danggeun?
  It’s not very common, but it does happen. Most of these errors happen when you’re paying for something with a delivery or remotely. So people connected through Danggeun normally trade items with money in person.
• I’d like to know if I can sell in Jungonara without speaking Korean.
  You can try using translation tools, but you should expect full Korean listings.
• How can I check if a seller has a good reputation?
  Check their profile history, reviews, and Google their phone number with “scam” to see reports about them.
• I’m on a tourist visa. Can I still make trades?
  Yes, but you may not be able to verify your identity on some apps. Make sure you obtain Korean cell phone number first in order to use the platform.

📎 Related Guides You’ll Find Helpful

• Best Day Trips Using Seoul Subway Lines 6, 8 & 9
• Korean Restaurant Etiquette Guide

🌐 External Resources

• Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (National Police)
• TheCheat.co.kr – Scam Checker & Warning Board