Shpock app offers 'online boot sale'

This European app is growing in popularity over here. But what does it do?

A marketplace app called Shpock, which is short for SHop in your POCKet, is fast growing in popularity in the UK.

It was founded by Austrian entrepreneurs Armin Strbac and Katherina Klausberger who wanted to offer people a platform to buy, sell or give away unwanted "beautiful things" in their local area.

The app initially launched in Germany and Austria back in September 2012, and has managed to rack up four million users in Europe so far. In March 2014 it launched in the UK where a further one million have since joined the action.

So what has Shpock got to offer compared to well-established online marketplaces like eBay and classified listing websites like Craigslist and Gumtree?

How it works

Shpock is very simple and quick to use.

To get started you just need to download the free app for your iOS or Android mobile device from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

You can then list an item in less than 30 seconds just by uploading a picture, writing a short description, picking a category and suggesting a price.

There are eight main categories you can choose from including: Fashion and Accessories; Home and Garden; Electronics; Movies, Books and Music; Baby and Child; Sport, Leisure and Games; Giveaways and Cars and Motor.

Once uploaded other users with the Shpock app in your local area will be able to see the listing and if interested can get in contact to either agree to pay the asking price or make a counter offer.

If accepted it’s then up to the buyer and seller to reach an agreement about item delivery and method of payment. Shpock doesn’t get involved.

[Related link: Why you shouldn't give gift vouchers for Christmas]

How does Shpock compare?

Shpock hasn’t reinvented the wheel but it has made an online marketplace that's cheaper, easier to use and nicer to look at than its rivals.

For one thing, it's free to use and doesn’t charge any listing or transaction fees. The company only has optional charges for extra features that help to promote an item, which range from 69p to £13.99.

In addition Shpock offers a more modern take on free classified listings that look dated, are built mainly on text and often feature a lot of distracting adverts.

Shpock is built on images to inspire those browsing and has useful features like being able to promote items through social media and the ability to set up alerts for items you are on the hunt for.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a cheap alternative to selling with eBay with some modern functionality to boot it’s worth giving Shpock a go.

With over a million users now signed up in the UK you should find something you like or find people that want your stuff in your local area.

However, you should make sure you take precautions like using PayPal and using tracked delivery to ensure you have some protection when making an exchange.