Booming in recent years, the second-hand market has become a real consumer habit for many French people. According to a study by the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), 38.7% of French people bought at least one second-hand garment in 2021.
However, even though 1 in 2 French people likes second-hand goods, they still only account for 7% of sales on the market.*
Whether it is clothing, books or furniture, buying second-hand is not just about getting a good deal by paying much less for your items than you would in a store. Above all, it is an eco-responsible act, part of a commitment to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Offering ethical alternatives for a more responsible world is the mission Meanwhile Boutique has set for itself. After our top free apps for an ethical lifestyle, here are 10 apps and websites for buying or selling second-hand.
#1 - For finding second-hand clothing: Vinted
© Vinted
No introduction is needed: Vinted is currently the most popular second-hand app. It has 50 million members, including 19 million in France. That's quite something!
Vinted allows you to sell, buy or exchange second-hand clothing and accessories. Initially, this platform was dedicated to selling women's clothing, but eventually expanded its horizons by adding categories for men, children, accessories, home, entertainment, pets, and even electronics. Users can negotiate prices, buy or sell in bundles, ask sellers questions... In short, everything you need to get the product you need.
How does it work?
Whether you want to buy or sell on the platform, you need to create an account (it's free). Then, you can post ads to sell items you no longer use or find new pieces or objects that catch your eye.
Where can you find Vinted?
Available on the Play Store (Android) and the Apple Store (Apple), you can also visit the Vinted website on any search engine.
#2 - For all kinds of donations between individuals: Geev
© Geev
Original and community-minded, Geev is an app dedicated to donations between individuals. You can find everything: objects, household appliances, clothing, books... as well as food items nearing their expiration date. Everything is free, with the aim of giving objects a second life rather than throwing them away.
Geev stands out for its community spirit and its commitment to fighting waste.
How does it work?
Once registered, you can post an ad to donate items you no longer use or browse available donations around you. You can also "reserve" an item or a food item and contact the donor via the app.
Where can you find Geev?
The Geev app is available on the Play Store (Android), App Store (iOS), and via their website.
#3 - For finding second-hand books: RecycLivre
© RecycLivre
We had already mentioned to you in one of our monthly newsletters this app that will delight reading enthusiasts.
RecycLivre is the first committed French online platform for second-hand books. It collects, buys back and sells at low prices throughout Europe books that are no longer used. The goal? To give books a second life in order to reduce their environmental impact and promote access to culture. Novels, manga, children's books, textbooks, arts, sciences... there is something for all ages and tastes. But be careful, only books in good condition are accepted! Those that are annotated or have damaged and laminated covers are not accepted.
Like Meanwhile Boutique, RecycLivre is a platform with strong environmental and social values. It fights waste by prioritizing the circular economy and implements numerous ecological initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint as much as possible. For example, the company has been collecting its books by electric car since 2010! RecycLivre is also an associate member of the Impact France movement and the 1% for the Planet network, to which it gives back 1% of its turnover every year. Regarding the social aspect, RecycLivre collaborates with ARES (Log’ins), an association that helps people in extreme exclusion to manage the handling, reception and shipping of books. It has also implemented a sorting tool that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities or who are illiterate.
How does it work?
If you want to sell books, simply download the “RecycLivre Rachète” app on your smartphone and create an account. Once this step is complete, you can then scan the barcode of the books you want to donate.
After reaching a maximum amount of €10, you have the option to confirm your sale, download your shipping label and send your books for free to RecycLivre's premises. And if you want to buy books, visit the RecycLivre website to choose your favorite books.
Where can you find RecycLivre?
The “RecycLivre Rachète” app is available on the Apple Store (Apple) and Play Store (Android).
RecycLivre is also an online platform that you can visit on any search browser.
#4 - For donating everything you no longer want: Jedonne.fr
© Jedonne.fr
Jedonne.fr is a solidarity platform dedicated to donating objects, where everything is 100% free. Far from resale sites, Jedonne encourages reuse by facilitating the sharing of objects between individuals, to fight waste and promote more ethical consumption.
The concept is simple and powerful: anyone can post an ad to donate an object they no longer need, and anyone can browse the offers near them to pick up what will be useful to them. This creates a local solidarity network where exchanges are selfless and free, strengthening the bonds between communities.
How does it work?
Simply create an account, post an ad for an object to donate or browse the donations available near you. You can contact the donors to arrange a meeting point.
Where can you find Jedonne.fr?
Directly via its website.
#5 - For refurbished electronic devices: Back Market
© Back Market
Back Market is a European reference for refurbished products, offering an eco-responsible alternative to buying new electronic products. Specializing in the sale of electronic devices refurbished by certified professionals, Back Market combines quality, warranties and prices that are competitive.
The platform is aimed at those who want to reduce their environmental impact by extending the life of high-tech devices: smartphones, computers, tablets, household appliances, and more. All products sold are rigorously tested, repaired and guaranteed, which ensures safety and confidence for consumers.
How does it work?
The interface is simple: you choose a product (smartphone, computer, household appliance...), you select its condition (good, very good, excellent), and you buy like on a regular site. All items are guaranteed and tested.
Where can you find Back Market?
Their app is available on the App Store (Apple) and Play Store (Android). Their web platform is accessible everywhere.
#6 - For a huge selection of second-hand goods: eBay
©eBay
eBay is a global giant of online commerce, launched over 25 years ago, and still very much present in the second-hand universe. The platform offers a huge choice of items in very varied categories: fashion, electronics, collectibles, furniture, toys... In short, everything you can imagine is on eBay. One of eBay's specificities is its auction system, which allows you to acquire products at potentially very advantageous prices. It is also possible to buy immediately via the "buy it now" option. eBay offers great flexibility, but requires a little more attention in negotiating and choosing sellers.
eBay offers, on its website as well as on its app, a section entirely dedicated to second-hand goods. This section brings together a huge variety of second-hand products, ranging from clothing to furniture, as well as electronics, books, accessories, and much more. This category highlights items that have already been used but are often in excellent condition, offered by individuals or professionals.
How does it work?
Create an account for free, put your items up for sale or explore the many categories to buy. You can negotiate, ask sellers questions and track your packages directly from the app.
Where can you find eBay?
Available on the App Store, the Play Store, and in web version via all browsers.
#7 - For second-hand electronic and cultural products: reBuy
©reBuy
reBuy is a European platform specializing in the refurbishing and resale of electronic devices and cultural products (books, video games, DVDs, etc.). Its goal is clear: to offer a reliable and sustainable alternative to buying new products by extending their lifespan through professional refurbishing.
reBuy's great strength is its 100% circular model: you can easily buy as well as sell your old devices. All products for sale are tested, cleaned, and restored by technical experts, with a warranty of at least 36 months on most items. Each item is graded by condition (like new, very good, good, etc.), allowing you to choose according to your needs and budget.
How does it work?
Create an account, select what you want to buy or sell, then follow the steps. If you sell, reBuy sends you a prepaid label. If you buy, you benefit from a warranty and the right of withdrawal.
Where can you find reBuy?
Accessible via the website, on mobile or computer. The mobile app is available in France on the Play Store (Android only).
#8 - For quality second-hand home goods: Selency
© Selency
Selency is the chic and trendy marketplace for second-hand home goods. Specializing in quality furniture and decorative objects, often vintage or designer, it captivates with its discerning selection and carefully curated universe.
Here, there is no question of rummaging through poorly presented ads: Selency relies on a carefully curated selection and attentive customer service, to offer a premium shopping experience, while remaining committed to the circular economy.
How does it work?
After signing up, you can browse the ads using very detailed filters (style, era, material, etc.) and buy directly online. Selency takes care of the secure payment and offers delivery solutions throughout France.
Where can you find Selency?
On the mobile app (iOS and Android), or directly via their website.
#9 - For premium and responsible clothing swaps: DressLike
© DressLike
DressLike is a French app dedicated to peer-to-peer clothing swaps, offering a responsible and money-free alternative to traditional purchasing. The swap concept is simple: you exchange clothes you no longer wear for pieces from other members, to refresh your wardrobe while reducing textile waste.
How does it work?
After a free sign-up, you can post the clothes or accessories you want to exchange. The app uses artificial intelligence that helps you find exchange proposals matching your style and needs. Once the exchange is validated, you can arrange to meet in person to hand over the items, which guarantees direct contact and a better assessment of the quality of the pieces.
DressLike stands out for its committed community, which values quality, style, and eco-responsibility, while making circular fashion accessible and attractive.
Where can you find DressLike?
DressLike is available on the App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). You can also access their website to learn more and join the community.
#10 - A second-hand essential: Leboncoin
© Leboncoin
Leboncoin is one of the oldest French sites (founded in 2006) offering classified ads. Now widely known by the general public, it also caters to professionals and ranges from selling a trinket to a car or offering services.
How does it work?
After a free sign-up, you can post the products or services you offer. The app also offers to broadcast your requests in order to connect you with a seller of the product you are looking for. Once the exchange is validated, you can arrange to hand over the items in person or by mail.
Where can you find Leboncoin?
Leboncoin is available on the App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). You can also access their website to learn more and join the community.
There are many other eplatforms like these. Have you ever used these second-hand apps? Which one do you prefer? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. 👇🏼
At Meanwhile Boutique, our creators also give a second life to objects and materials that are no longer used. This is possible thanks to the magic of upcycling. Discover our eco-responsible fashion collection now.
Sources:
https://www.onpasselaseconde.
Le journal des femmes , Vinted, what is it and how does it work ?
Wikipedia, Vinted
RecycLivre, Our commitments
Do it Paris, Youzd, the Vinted of home decor for eco-friendly shopping
IFM-Première Vision study on eco-responsible fashion
Pour l’échange de vêtements, il y a l’App The Freeconic qui es top : pas de fadt fashion, que des belles pièces en bon état, et un échange non réciproque : je peux envoyer des vêtements à Mme A et récupérer des vêtements de Mme B. Try it !