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Secondhand Shopping in Korea: The Essential Guide

New to Korea? This guide to secondhand shopping helps you navigate Karrot and Joonggonara safely. Includes setup tips, cultural norms, and a scam checklist.

FOHO Team

Oct 12, 2025

TIPRegion

Table of contents

01The Ultimate Guide to Secondhand Shopping in Korea: Karrot & Joonggonara
•1. Choosing Your Platform: A Strategic Decision
•2. Mastering Karrot (당근): A Step-by-Step Guide
•3. Advanced Scam Prevention: Your Security Protocol
•4. Essential Korean Phrases for Transactions
•Glossary of Key Terms

The Ultimate Guide to Secondhand Shopping in Korea: Karrot & Joonggonara

Setting up a new life in Korea is exciting, but furnishing an apartment or finding daily necessities can be expensive. Fortunately, Korea has a vibrant secondhand market that can save you a significant amount of money. However, for foreigners, navigating these platforms can be challenging due to language barriers, unique cultural norms, and different transaction methods.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of Korea’s two major secondhand platforms: Karrot (당근) and Joonggonara (중고나라). We will cover everything from choosing the right app and setting up your account to understanding local etiquette and protecting yourself from scams.

1. Choosing Your Platform: A Strategic Decision

The first step is deciding where to shop. Karrot and Joonggonara serve different needs, and your choice depends on a trade-off between trust and selection.

Karrot (당근): A mobile app built on trust and local community. It uses mandatory GPS verification to ensure you are transacting with real neighbors. This makes it incredibly safe but limits your search to your immediate area.

Joonggonara (중고나라): Korea's oldest and largest online marketplace. It operates nationwide and offers an unparalleled selection of items, from common electronics to rare collectibles. However, its open, anonymous nature carries a higher risk of fraud.

At a Glance: Karrot vs. Joonggonara

Feature	Karrot (당근)	Joonggonara (중고나라)	Strategic Advice
Service Area	Hyperlocal (Requires GPS verification)	Nationwide	For everyday items like furniture or kitchenware, Karrot is safer and more convenient.
Item Variety	Limited to your neighborhood	Extremely vast; includes everything	For specific or rare items (e.g., K-pop merch, specific camera lenses), Joonggonara is often the only option.
Trust & Safety	Very High (Verified local users)	Low (Anonymous users, higher scam risk)	Karrot has built-in trust. On Joonggonara, you must actively verify the seller's history.
Foreigner-Friendliness	High (Intuitive app, some English support)	Low (Korean-only, complex interface)	First-timers will find Karrot much easier to use.
Account Creation	Korean phone number + GPS verification	Korean phone number + Naver ID	Short-term visitors may struggle to create an account on either platform.
Primary Risk Factor	In-person transaction disputes	Scams (non-delivery, phishing)	Karrot's risks are about the transaction itself; Joonggonara's risks are about whether a legitimate transaction will even happen.

Sources: Karrot Market ¹, Joonggonara Namu.wiki ²

The Third Option: Proxy Services for Joonggonara

Because of Joonggonara's high entry barrier for foreigners, a small industry of proxy buying services has emerged. Companies like Harumio and Kfriday act as intermediaries. They handle communication, payment, and shipping for a fee.

When to use a proxy: When you find a rare item on Joonggonara but are concerned about scams or unable to navigate the platform.

Cost: You will pay the item price, a service fee, and domestic/international shipping costs.

This is a viable third strategy: use Karrot for local deals, and a proxy service for high-value or hard-to-find items on Joonggonara.

2. Mastering Karrot (당근): A Step-by-Step Guide

For most foreigners living in Korea, Karrot will be the go-to platform. Here’s how to use it effectively.

Step 1: Account Setup and GPS Verification

Getting started is straightforward, but the GPS verification can be tricky. You must have a Korean phone number to create an account.

The biggest hurdle is "Neighborhood Verification" (동네 인증). The app requires you to be physically present in the neighborhood you want to register. If it fails, follow this checklist.

GPS Verification Troubleshooting Checklist

Step	Action Item	Android Instructions	iOS Instructions
Pre-Check	Confirm Physical Location	Open a map app (Naver/Kakao Maps) to verify you are in the correct neighborhood.	Open a map app (Naver/Kakao Maps) to verify you are in the correct neighborhood.
1: Permissions	Grant Location Access	Go to `Settings > Location > App permissions > Karrot`. Select `Allow all the time` or `Allow only while using the app`.	Go to `Settings > Karrot > Location`. Select `While Using the App`.
2: Accuracy	Enable High Accuracy	Go to `Settings > Location`. Enable `Google Location Accuracy`. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning.	Go to `Settings > Karrot > Location`. Enable the `Precise Location` option.
3: Device	Optimize Device Settings	Turn on Wi-Fi. Disable Power saving mode.	Turn on Wi-Fi. Disable Low Power Mode.
4: Environment	Improve GPS Signal	Move near a window or go outdoors to get a stronger GPS signal, then try again.	Move near a window or go outdoors to get a stronger GPS signal, then try again.
Final Step	Refresh Location in App	In the Karrot app, tap the "Change Neighborhood" button and let it select a location based on the current GPS signal.	In the Karrot app, tap the "Change Neighborhood" button and let it select a location based on the current GPS signal.

Sources: Karrot Help Center ³, ⁴

Step 2: Understanding Karrot's Unique Culture

Successful transactions on Karrot require understanding some unwritten social rules. Direct, translated English can sometimes seem rude.

Manner Temperature (매너온도) This is your social reputation score. Every user starts at a human body temperature of 36.5°C.

How it works: Your temperature rises with positive reviews and successful transactions. It drops if you get negative feedback, miss appointments, or cause trouble.

Why it matters: A high temperature signals that you are a trustworthy member of the community, making people more likely to trade with you. A low temperature is a major red flag.

Pro-tip: Giving away items for free ("무료나눔") is a fast and effective way to increase your Manner Temperature ⁵.

The Art of "Nego" (네고) "Nego" comes from the word "negotiation" and refers to asking for a discount. It's common but requires a delicate approach.

Do: Check the post for phrases like 네고 불가 (negotiation not possible). If there's no such phrase, you can politely ask, "혹시 조금 깎아 주실 수 있을까요?" (Would a small discount be possible?).

Don't: Never try to negotiate further when you meet in person after agreeing on a price online. This is considered extremely rude.

Remember: Many sellers prefer a fast, hassle-free transaction at the listed price. This is called a "cool transaction" (쿨거래).

Step 3: Executing the Transaction

From the first message to the final payment, follow these steps for a smooth process.

Transaction Methods:

Face-to-Face (직거래): The most common and recommended method. Meetings usually happen at a public, convenient location like a nearby subway station exit.

Door Handle Transaction (문고리 거래): A unique, high-trust method. The buyer transfers money first, and the seller leaves the item hanging on their front door handle for pickup. This is generally safe due to widespread CCTV but may feel uncomfortable for some.

Delivery (택배): Used for smaller items. The buyer almost always pays for shipping.

Payment Protocols:

Bank Transfer (계좌 이체): The most popular method. The seller sends their bank account number in the chat. For non-face-to-face deals, you must pay first.

Cash (현금): Used for in-person transactions.

Karrot Pay (당근페이): Karrot's built-in escrow service. You pay into the system, and the funds are released to the seller only after you confirm you've received the item. It's the safest option for delivery transactions but includes a small fee for the buyer ⁶.

3. Advanced Scam Prevention: Your Security Protocol

While Karrot is safe, scams are a serious risk on Joonggonara and other platforms. Scammers exploit the trust that makes the system work. Your guiding principle should be: Trust, but verify.

Your Most Important Tool: "The Cheat" (더치트)

The Cheat is an essential app and website for fraud prevention in Korea. It's a crowdsourced database of phone numbers and bank account numbers used in past scams.

How to use it: Before sending any money, get the seller's phone number and bank account number. Search both in The Cheat app.

Rule: If even one scam report appears, stop the transaction immediately.

Pre-Transaction Safety Checklist

Before you commit to a purchase, especially on Joonggonara, review this checklist for red flags.

Category	Red Flag	Why It's a Risk
Profile History	No transaction history or a very new account.	Scammers often use disposable accounts. On Karrot, a very low Manner Temperature is a clear warning.
Communication	Refuses to talk on the phone; insists on KakaoTalk only.	Scammers prefer untraceable messaging apps to avoid leaving a record tied to a registered phone number.
Transaction Method	Insists on delivery only.	A classic tactic is to ask where you live, then claim to be far away to force a pre-paid delivery transaction.
Price	The price is significantly below market value (20-30% lower).	"Too good to be true" prices are bait used to lure victims into a quick, fraudulent transaction.
Payment Details	Asks you to send money to a third-party's account.	This is a definitive sign of a 3-Party Scam (see below). The account holder's name must match the seller's.
Links	Sends an external link for "Safe Payment."	All official payments should happen inside the platform's app. External links are almost always phishing sites designed to steal your financial information.
Identity	Asks for a photo of your ID card for "verification."	This is an attempt to steal your identity to use in future scams. Never share your personal ID.

Sources: The Cheat ⁷, Namu.wiki ⁸

Understanding Common Scam Structures

Simple Non-Delivery: The most basic scam. You send money for a delivery, and the seller disappears.

Fake "Safe Payment" Phishing: The scammer agrees to use an escrow service but sends you a link to a fake website that looks identical to the real one (e.g., a fake Naver Pay page). When you enter your payment details, they are sent directly to the scammer.

3-Party Scam (삼자사기): A highly complex and malicious scam.

How it works: A scammer finds a legitimate seller (A) and posts a fake ad for that same item, usually at a lower price. An unsuspecting buyer (B) contacts the scammer. The scammer gives buyer B the legitimate seller A's bank account number. Buyer B sends money to seller A. Seller A, seeing the payment, gives the item to the scammer. The scammer disappears with the item, leaving buyer B with no money and seller A with no item.

4. Essential Korean Phrases for Transactions

Using polite, appropriate Korean will make your transactions much smoother. Using a translation app like Papago is recommended over Google Translate for more natural phrasing.

Initial Inquiry

안녕하세요. 이 상품 아직 판매 중인가요?

(Annyeonghaseyo. I sangpum ajik panmae jung-ingayo?)
Hello. Is this item still for sale?

혹시 상태는 어떤가요?

(Hoksi sangtae-neun eotteongayo?)
What is the condition like?

Negotiation & Price

혹시 조금 깎아 주실 수 있을까요?

(Hoksi jogeum kkakka jusil su isseulkkayo?)
Would it be possible to get a small discount? (The most polite way to ask.)

네고 가능한가요?

(Nego ganeung-hangayo?)
Is negotiation possible? (More direct.)

Arranging the Transaction

직거래 가능하신가요?

(Jikgeorae ganeung-hasingayo?)
Is a face-to-face transaction possible?

어디서 만나는 게 편하세요?

(Eodiseo mannaneun ge pyeonhaseyo?)
Where is it convenient for you to meet? (A polite way to ask.)

오늘 오후 6시에 OO역 앞에서 만날까요?

(Oneul ohu yeoseot-si-e OO-yeok ap-eseo mannalkkayo?)
Shall we meet in front of OO Station at 6 PM today?

At the Meeting

물건 한번 확인해 보세요.

(Mulgeon hanbeon hwaginhae boseyo.)
Please check the item. (The seller will likely say this to you.)

네, 문제 없네요.

(Ne, munje eomneyo.)
Yes, it looks fine.

계좌이체 해드릴게요.

(Gyejwa-iche haedeurilgeyo.)
I'll do a bank transfer.

Glossary of Key Terms

당근 (Danggeun): Literally "carrot," but the name for the Karrot app. It's a play on "당신 근처의" (near you).

중고나라 (Joonggonara): "Secondhand Country," the name of the nationwide platform.

직거래 (Jikgeorae): Face-to-face transaction.

택배 (Taekbae): Delivery or shipping.

네고 (Nego): Price negotiation.

쿨거래 (Kul-georae): "Cool transaction." A quick, easy sale with no haggling.

무료나눔 (Muryo-nanum): Free giveaway.

매너온도 (Maeneo-ondo): Manner Temperature, the reputation score on Karrot.

안심결제 (Ansim-gyeolje): Safe Payment / Escrow service.

더치트 (The Cheat): The anti-scam verification app.

With this guide, you have the knowledge and tools to confidently and safely navigate Korea's secondhand market. Happy hunting!

Your Smart Move: From Secondhand Finds to the Perfect Home

Finding the right furniture on Karrot is a great start. But the most important part of settling in is securing a home where you feel comfortable and supported. Navigating the housing market can be even more complex than mastering "nego" culture, and you deserve a partner you can trust.

That’s where FOHO comes in. We simplify the entire process by giving you access to affordable, verified homes across Korea with the market's lowest service fees. More importantly, you get a dedicated team ensuring clear communication with your landlord and providing ongoing support—long after you’ve unpacked your secondhand treasures.

Find Your Home with FOHO

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